cleanish_e46

Finding the odd hour for this when the baby is asleep. Plan is to fix the intake and exhaust manifolds to the head while it's out of the car and just bolt it all back down together. Hopefully the fuel injectors work well and just need the seals replacing.

Looking forward to putting some life back into my 325i, just need to finish the 320i first. Have learnt heaps on that, but have kept it stock. Hoping to get a bit more out of the B25!

Clocked this on the shore last week, lovely looking and sounding!

Adjusted the valve clearances. Spark plugs are in. Exhaust manifold and rocker cover studs are also in. Need to track down some inlet manifold studs as my go to guy doesn’t have any in stock. Is there anywhere anyone would recommend? Started to give the manifolds a clean up this afternoon, the fuel injectors took some pulling out! Is it easier to fix the exhaust and intake manifolds to the head while it’s out of the car, and then just lift it all on together before bolting the head back on to the block? Cheers.

No. Checked it against another M20 and it was the same on that so figured it’s not an issue. Everything has been put back together correctly but there’s no way of getting the plate any lower as it’s sat on the rocker shafts.

Cheers for the advice on the above @BMTHUG Oil spray bar and camshaft sprocket back on. Just the valve clearances to adjust and I can close the lid on this bit.

This. You can’t be late to the party and expect to pay what you could’ve when you didn’t.

I’ve replaced the rockers and rocker shafts. I’ve reinstalled the rocker retaining clips and the retaining plate. The notches for the retaining plate are lined up and I’ve tapped it in as far as it will go, but the plate is proud of the top of the head… … which means the rocker cover doesn’t sit flush. What should I do / have I done wrong?

I’ve checked the re-ground valves are sealing properly by tipping a spoonful of fuel down each port. There are no leaks underneath so on to the camshaft. I had to make something to stop the camshaft spinning while I removed the bolt. Does the job. I’m ready to replace the camshaft end seal and o-ring, the latter appears self-explanatory, but the Bentley service manual mentions, “a service press or it’s equivalent should be used to remove the old seal (I just set it on blocks and drove it out of the retainer with a mallet and flathead screwdriver), and to install the new seal.” I don’t have a press so I’m all ears if you’ve found a way that works?

Reinstalled all the valves and springs.

This!

I got a little bit more done tonight while juggling the house reno’ and baby. Installed the new valve stem oil seals, valves and springs next. Going to try and stick to this little and often approach as I recover!

Got back on the horse today, lapping valves.

Dibs on the E23 😍

I actually recently changed GP and she's a much better listener, but yeah, frustrating to say the least. Sound advice Olaf!

That's great that you're on top of it Jo, good on you and thanks for the support.

I'll avoid turning this thread into a mental health journal, but I have not had a good time recently! The missus convinced me to go to hospital last week, a place I stubbornly avoid. I ended up staying for a while... Long story short, I had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder, and I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I've been feeling less than well for years, but recently it really ramped up with severe pain in my side. I'd been to my doctor, had all sorts of scans and tests, and it was chalked down to chronic back pain. I was always pumped full of painkillers and sent home, not good for the physical or mental health once they wear off. I'd actually quit my job as a builder, stopped playing sport, stopped surfing, and was worried I'd have to stop working on cars because everything was just getting too painful to do. It basically felt like I couldn't do any of the things I'd worked hard towards and the things I loved doing anymore. The diabetes thing, well, the doctor said I'd put up a hell of a fight and done well to avoid a coma with the blood sugar level I came in with, but my body had just given up, but it can all be managed well now. I'm actually relieved to have a diagnosis, and since the surgery my back pain has all but gone. It's honestly gave me so much hope. It's a six week recovery, with the first two doing very little, something I'm not great at. While I was laid up in bed I came across SOUP Classic Motoring on Youtube: Might be of interest to folk. It's really kept me going, and I'm looking forward to getting back in the shed when I can. The reason I've posted this here is that I've had a lot of support from communities of like-minded folk like Bimmersport, and I just want to thank the people that have reached out, offered to help and everything else. Hopefully I can get Mo on the road for Summer, not much left to do there, and then turn my attention to saving the 325i. Bit to do on that one! Josh

Great service. Contacted Gavin by email, and contactless pick-up available from his store.

Hope so @Ghost Chip fortunately I had covered the block and taped up all electrics as I went. I think the carpets copped the worst of it.

Long story short: a pipe burst at home and for five minutes a lot of water covered everything in the kitchen and garage below. The seats were out, but the passenger footwell was soaking. Carpets had to come out, can't have that foam underneath holding water in the car. . Everywhere is solid, so there's the silver lining.

Cheers @WYZEUP do you know how much a sheet of this goes for?

Seats are out, but yes I think I will remove the sill trims and see how much more I can lift it up. Had a dehumidifier running in the car all day, certainly smells better than it did, but like you say that foam underneath will be difficult to dry. Floor pans look good and solid from what I’ve seen so far so there’s the silver lining.

Long story short: a pipe burst at home and for five minutes a lot of water covered everything in the kitchen and garage below. The passenger footwell is soaking. I guess it got in through the intake vents under the windscreen. Has anyone had success drying the carpet without removing it from the car? The car is on an angle as the front is on jack stands so the water has pooled towards the rear, in the rear passengers footwell. Can I lift the carpet up from the rear to dry it? Just as much as necessary as it’s not all wet. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks for the heads up @dirtydoogle

Where are people getting their steel during lockdown?