WTB 121ti Cylinder Head

[Ensign]

I’m looking for a 121ti head in re-buildable condition (i.e. no cracks and enough to material to stay within spec if planing is necessary) and a casting date of 11/71, 12/71 or 01/72.

Thanks,

Tony

Edited June 12, 2018 by Ensign
added info on 121 head, added trade, deleted trade option, added photo

[Rich]

Tony, hi I think we have corresponded a while back about a 2 piece dash that you were looking for, and I was looking for the same thing ? any ways, are you still looking for a 121ti head, take a look at this one, it is a 70.  As it stands I have no idea on any of the measurements. So take a look and let me know if this is what you are interested in and then we can talk, I do have a very good machine shop just 10 miles from my house that I am going to start a high performance engine build with so they will be doing the work on some other heard that I have.  If it is the one you want I will take it to them for all the necessary testing and measuring. Let me know, thanks, Richard

[Ensign]

Thanks for responding to my post Richard. I am hoping to find a head that was not equipped with a mechanical fuel pump. If it was a later casting date, I would consider filling the holes made for the pump. A 70s head would be too early for a '72 tii.

I may end up using the 121 head that I have if nothing surfaces soon.

Thanks again for reaching out.

Kind Regards,

Tony

[Rich]

Hi Tony, I also have the pictured head, a 121 T dated 79, see photo, not sure if that helps.  I have a total of 6 spare heads and one M10 long block that I am planning a high performance rebuild so I am just trying to figure out or find out through the FAQ which will be the best head to use and then I will sell the rest, so that being said, let me know if the pictured one is what you are looking for, thanks, Richard

[Conserv]

Let me take a shot at this, Tony!

 

Ensign has got a tii manufactured in January 1972.  He is looking for a head that could have been original to a January 1972 car.  This means that, optimally: (a.) it must have been cast no later than January 1972, and (b.) it was cast in either January 1972, or in the months prior to January 1972 (i.e., 1971).  

 

In addition, optimally, it would have been a tii head -- which simply means the mechanical fuel pump boss has never been drilled for a pushrod or studs.  I believe that Ensign understands he's looking for a rare bird and is thus willing to allow some leeway from what is optimal.  So, for instance, he might accept a non-tii head, and close the holes left by the mechanical fuel pump.

 

Sorry, Tony: I couldn't help myself!

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2018 by Conserv

[Ensign]

1 hour ago, Conserv said:

 So, for instance, he might accept a non-tii head, and close the holes left by the mechanical fuel pump.

You nailed it!

Regards,

 

Tony

[inka_e12]

Tony 

I have a 1971 / 121. See pics . That's all I know . Don't know how to check out . 

[Ensign]

Thanks for the reply. That's close. I was looking for  a 121ti and one that had not been set-up with a mechanical fuel pump, but I still may be interested. Where are you located?

Regards,

Tony

[Rastadog]

This is in my basement, two different basements in twenty years. I don’t know if it says ti behind the intake. Casting is January 72. It’s came off 2760289. Alex

[Rastadog]

It ran when parked. Tin worm won. The injection pump was transplanted to my car, very late 73, in the late nineties.

 

 

[Ensign]

27 minutes ago, Rastadog said:

Casting is January 72. It’s came off 2760289.

Hi Alex,

Thanks for responding. That's an interesting casting date for that VIN. My car is VIN 2760851, built on 01/28/1972. It would seem that 2760289 would have been built in January '72.  I guess it's possible, or maybe that isn't the original head. Who knows....

Anyway, I need a serviceable head for my rebuild, but I don't want you to go to a lot of work dismantling the engine just to find out I can't use it. I do have interest however. What do you have in mind?

Thank again for responding.

Regards,

Tony

[Rastadog]

Hi Tony, I don’t need it. I have a spare 73 block and head, ran when parked, that I would use for my car in the future. How could you tell I don’t want to take it apart? Unlike most people on this board I’m less than mechanical. That said I’m better at taking apart than puting together. I’m all for seeing this head go to someone who can use it.  Value, no clue but I feel it’s secondary to seeing this head being bathed in oil again. I’m open to trades. Early saddle interior back seat, gummy gummi important. Maybe tii specific stuff? Now the $24000 question. Can I take it apart? Is it difficult? If I can we’ll figure something out. You could write BMW to see how close 0289 is to your car. Alex

 

 

 

[Rastadog]

I wonder what the date code is on the timing chain cover. That looks easy for the mechanical impaired.

[Ensign]

Well, I guess one bolt at a time.......

If you decide to dismantle, the only tip I can think of is to loosen the head bolts, a little at a time, in the proper sequence*. Then, inspect for cracks or other signs of damage. Unfortunately we would not know if it is serviceable until a machine shop can closely inspect and measure.

Let me know what you decide, even though I won't hold you to it.

Regards,

Tony

 

* opposite of this sequence:

Edited March 10, 2018 by Ensign
add photo

[Conserv]

VIN 2760289 was almost certainly a December 1971-manufactured car so this was not its original head.  But it could have been for yours, Tony.  It’s certainly possible for the original head’s casting date to be the same month the car was manufactured: below is the original April 1976 head from my April 23, 1976 car.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve