what is a euro m30 3.5L

posix

posix

Well-Known Member
Messages
322
Reaction score
139
Location
Bay Area
Hey there,

I was going over the previous paperwork of the 3.0cs I just bought. I see the receipt from 2008 for the 3.5L swap. The shop says a euro spec m30 3.5L was supplied. Prior to reading this I just assumed it was the M30B35 but was there a euro spec?


Screen Shot 2020-08-19 at 10.29.51 PM.png
 
@HB Chris, what would be the best way of identifying the actual engine in the car? Maybe i can call the shop that did the swap and ask.
 
HB Chris said:
I don’t think the b35 era cars have the vin on them. The head had a sticker with the 17 digit vin.
Click to expand...

It should have the last 7 above the starter. Probably has some extra digits below that but I don't know what they are.
 
There is a casting date on exhaust side but very hard to see. If it’s pre 9/87 then probably US b34, later is b35. It’s a circle with year in center and dots on the perimeter. Don can tell us if the vin is above the starter.
 
Interesting subject..
I have 2 b35 engines in the shop now.
B35 engines are super easy to spot. They have a unique hole on the exhaust side at the back of the block that is cast in to allow the torque converter bolts to be removed easily
 
HB Chris said:
Don can tell us if the vin is above the starter.
Click to expand...

I confirmed with @sfdon before replying - so we are good. Don mentioned that sometimes they are missing and he's seen everything however. Replacements perhaps.

One thing that we didn't discuss, you can get a sense of the motor year and source based off of the motor mount. The 1989 635CSI is a bolt in B35 block with motor mount adapter required. The B34's definitely have a serial on the starter also.

@posix,

If you don't already have one, you can pickup a scope on Amazon for $30 to $60. Mine went kaput so I'm going to order a dedicated scope with a screen and memory card. Seems like my phone doesn't like aftermarket plugs in the lightning port. At any rate, they are small enough to drop down a spark plug hole to check the piston style. Even if you identify the block, it's a good way to determine if your pistons are HC or standard. 2800's had piano tops (albeit not as grand as a CSI). 3.0's were flat. CSI's had piano tops. M90's have flat pistons. B35's are a little funky raised, but not piano. I can't recall if B34's are flat, but given the compression they should be.

The other thing you can do. Remove the inspection plate on the back of your head to see the letters on the cam. The B34 had a 264 degree cam and a letter that tells you what it is. I want to say that a B35 is a 270ish. All E9's had a 272 degree cam. There area number of other cams. @sfdon has posted the letters that he knows.
 
Markos said:
I confirmed with @sfdon before replying - so we are good. Don mentioned that sometimes they are missing and he's seen everything however. Replacements perhaps.

One thing that we didn't discuss, you can get a sense of the motor year and source based off of the motor mount. The 1989 635CSI is a bolt in B35 block with motor mount adapter required. The B34's definitely have a serial on the starter also.

@posix,

If you don't already have one, you can pickup a scope on Amazon for $30 to $60. Mine went kaput so I'm going to order a dedicated scope with a screen and memory card. Seems like my phone doesn't like aftermarket plugs in the lightning port. At any rate, they are small enough to drop down a spark plug hole to check the piston style. Even if you identify the block, it's a good way to determine if your pistons are HC or standard. 2800's had piano tops (albeit not as grand as a CSI). 3.0's were flat. CSI's had piano tops. M90's have flat pistons. B35's are a little funky raised, but not piano. I can't recall if B34's are flat, but given the compression they should be.

The other thing you can do. Remove the inspection plate on the back of your head to see the letters on the cam. The B34 had a 264 degree cam and a letter that tells you what it is. I want to say that a B35 is a 270ish. All E9's had a 272 degree cam. There area number of other cams. @sfdon has posted the letters that he knows.
Click to expand...
I think b35 has letter K stamped on camshaft end.
 
B35 has a K stamped on it.
it is a 264 duration cam
also used in Euro b34 engines

Here in the states we got the M cam in the b34 engines
it is a 260 duration cam
USA pistons are dished.
8 : 1 compression
 
Funny stuff you see- both b35 blocks in the shop have 8 numbers stamped in the spot above the starter.
useless....
 
Well I did call it a "serial number" :D

Helpful document attached...

"A series production engine will have an eight-digit engine number consisting of two groups of four
digits. The 1 st block contains 4 digits with information on the assembly line and serial number of
engines produced daily.
The 2nd block shows the factory code and day of production."
 

Attachments

You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top