engine and drivetrain Tons of questions - mostly rear-end related

[OHI02]

I'm a 17 year old kid and I have fallen in love with these cars.  I found a 1969 sitting in a building and bought it for $1200, now I'm in the process of restoring it and have found out that it needs a differential.  Doing some research online and on this forum a bought an e36 lsd to swap into my car not realizing that I needed a different stock differential.  My VIN is 1663286 and my title says its a 1969.  another post on the forum said that a later subframe can be swapped but that includes a new differential case as well.  Is there any thing that I can do to make this differential fit in my car?  Thanks in advance, Chris N

 

 

[Mike Self]

Hi, and welcome to the 02 community.  Your '69 is what's called a "first series" 1969 car.  The rear subframe, driveshaft and differential are completely different from 2002s with VINs higher than 1664761.  

 

If your current diff is OK, stick with it; there's nothing inherently wrong with that diff (called a Long Neck differential), and it has the same final drive ratio (3.64) as the later, "Short Neck" diffs (except for '76 cars, that have a 3.90 diff).  But if your diff is bad, you have two choices:  find a good long neck differential, and bolt it in.  If you can't find one, then you'll need to change out the whole rear subframe to use a short neck diff.  You'll also need the short neck's driveshaft, and it would be best to use the CV-jointed axles from a short neck diff setup.  There are plenty of parts cars around, so you should be able to find a complete rear subframe setup, complete with diff, axles, and a driveshaft.  

 

Might as well sell that E36 LSD; it would be quite difficult to adapt to either your current subframe, or a short neck subframe as the mounts are completely different.  And...there are (IIRC) three different diffs used on E36s.  If you want a limited slip, look for the diff from an 80-83 E21 3 series.  

 

BTW are you in Ohio?  If so, where?  There's a good gaggle of 02ers in SW Ohio (Dayton, Cincy) who can help.  And more in the Columbus area.

 

cheers

mike

[Simeon]

Not sure whether you have read this before. Not at all a straightforward conversion and it would still need a short neck rear subframe/ trailing arms, driveshaft etc. A lot of money and wrenching time there. 

 

 

I think Mike's advice is good about selling it. There was a post not so long back about LSDs in long neck cases. They might be more plentiful than may be thought. It would also keep what is becoming quite a rare car period correct (though of course it's entirely your car to have fun with). 

 

 

[echappe]

Did the car not have a diff at all? Does it move but howls or grinds? Will the car move? depnding on what scenario you have different options. Metric Mechanic rebuilds differentials but they are pricey. Below are 2 differentials available in salvage yards

 

1969 Carrier Assembly BMW 2002	Bfr Chassis 1 664 751,CHECK TYPE		00004205	$250	Forest Auto Parts USA-ID(Lewiston) Request_Quote 1-800-967-5228 Request_Insurance_Quote	2211
1969 Carrier Assembly BMW 2002	NOT LOOSE-U		I078	$225	Blake's Small Car Salvage, Inc. USA-CO(Erie) E-mail 303-665-4312

[echappe]

two more:

1968 Carrier Assembly BMW 2002	(long neck), 1602 (4.11 ratio)--U		CR003	$150	Blake's Small Car Salvage, Inc. USA-CO(Erie) E-mail 303-665-4312	1507
1969 Carrier Assembly BMW 2002	LONG SHAFT	AFT	005245	$Call	All Auto Recyclers USA-CO(Colorado-Springs) E-mail 800-777-3855 / 719-683-9600

[OHI02]

11 hours ago, mike said:

 

BTW are you in Ohio?  If so, where?  There's a good gaggle of 02ers in SW Ohio (Dayton, Cincy) who can help.  And more in the Columbus area.

 

I'm an hour north of dayton, up 75

[OHI02]

2 hours ago, echappe said:

Did the car not have a diff at all? Does it move but howls or grinds? Will the car move? depnding on what scenario you have different options. Metric Mechanic rebuilds differentials but they are pricey. Below are 2 differentials available in salvage yards

The car's diff is missing a flange and a rear cover, as well as having the ring and pinion ground up.  

[Mark92131]

I have this one...  But it would be pricey to ship from CA.

 

Mark92131

 

 

 

[echappe]

7 minutes ago, Mark92131 said:

I have this one...  But it would be pricey to ship from CA.

 

Mark92131

 

 

 

 

[echappe]

are the half shafts the same on a longneck as a shortneck?

[Mark92131]

1 minute ago, echappe said:

are the half shafts the same on a longneck as a shortneck?

 

I believe they are different, I sold my half shafts to a guy who needed them for his 2000 CS.

 

Part #  33211105427 

 

Mark92131

[Conserv]

15 minutes ago, Mark92131 said:

I have this one...  But it would be pricey to ship from CA.

 

Mark92131

 

 

 

 

Mark,

 

Maybe shipping via Greyhound bus would get the shipping costs down to a reasonable level.  Is it an operable diff?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[Mark92131]

Just now, Conserv said:

 

Mark,

 

Maybe shipping via Greyhound bus would get the shipping costs down to a reasonable level.  Is it an operable diff?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Yes, out of running 1969 BMW 1602.  It was replaced after the PO swapped in a new motor, 5 speed and LSD, then his son spun it into a guard rail.  I be willing to package it and ship it if OHi02 wants it.

 

Mark

 

 

[OHI02]

If this helps here is the picture of my diff.  I can get pics of my subframe later.  

[AceAndrew]

Well that simplifies things a bit.