M10 Rebuild Project

[2002#3]

Rebuild Part 1

My first rebuild has begun with the acquisition of a veteran '74 M10/E12 head (and an additional 121 head) from Rich Ford and Bob Dileonardi, Dogleg, LLC, Skokie, IL.  Thanks, Rich and Bob for being such gracious hosts during a great two-day visit.  

 

Photos:

1  engine (on the L) sleeping soundly in the warm, comfortable, and caring confines of Dogleg, LLC

2  engine awakened, disassembled for evaluation, and ready for transport to Cincinnati

3 - 5  engine being introduced to its new home and stablemates ('70 2002 and '74 2002tii)

 

I figure a rebuild is just the ticket for a year-long fun, educational, frustrating, ethanol-eliciting, blood-letting, and expensive project.  

 

Larry

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Edited August 13, 2022 by 2002#3
clarification of text; edited text; adjusted title to reflect status of activity

[TobyB]

If I may, having learnt this the MattL way:

 

Take both heads to your machinist.  Spend the money to have her

pressure test, measure, check and do whatever she needs to PROMISE

you she can make one or both into good working heads.

Take them home, stick a good, smooth- bored cam into both, and make

sure there's not more than light friction on them.

 

THEN proceed.

 

For 3 decades now, pistons have been the bugbear for M10s.

 

Rod bearings are available as of last month (FPGroton)

but mains were backordered.  

 

Oil pumps are absurd.

 

yadda yadda- measure before you send it, measure it when you

get it back, measure on dry assembly, measure before final.

 

And clean, clean, clean until your earring sparkles.

 

Have fun!

 

t

 

[Bob D.]

Larry it was a treat to see you again, and we're so happy we got to send one of our engines to such a good home! ?

 

Let us know if there's anything else you need, and we look forward to following your rebuild adventures. ??

[bergie33]

1 hour ago, TobyB said:

Rod bearings are available as of last month (FPGroton)

but mains were backordered.  

 

 

Main bearings (std size) are available here:  https://www.bimmerworld.com/Main-Bearing-Set-Standard-Size-E30-M3-23-liter-BMW-11210666110.html

 

 

[2002#3]

Thanks, Toby and bergie. 

 

Machinist has already done a quick look-see and said block and heads have potential).  Will present disassembled heads and block to him for testing and full eval.  While machinist does his thing I will start looking at piston options and availability as the foundation for all that follows.  I am aware of the fact that he should have pistons in his hands before he does anything to the block.

 

Larry

 

 

[Preyupy]

29 minutes ago, 2002#3 said:

  I am aware of the fact that he should have pistons in his hands before he does anything to the block.

And don't order pistons until you know what size you need and which head you will plan on using (if you are going with the low compression ratio flat top pistons it does not matter)  the E12 and 121 heads use different piston dome designs.  

[tech71]

Start looking for a new timing chain tensioning rail, do it now.

If you find one, buy it?

Edited July 21, 2022 by tech71

[popovm]

28 minutes ago, tech71 said:

Start looking for a new timing chain tensioning rail, do it now.

If you find one, buy it?

 

 

This part? Maximillian just announced availability. 

M10 / M30 Chain Tensioner 11311262273 | MIC

WWW.MAX2002STORE.COM

---

The wait is finally over! Fitment and quality has been thoroughly tested and this is the CORRECT technical design. Fits every BMW M10, M30, 4 cyl engine Euro and USA spec. Below is the list of models so that you can check fitment so go ahead and order yours while they last! 114: Details...

 

[Bob D.]

@popovm, you beat me to it!  I remembered seeing that in the last Max email blast.  

 

Larry, remember to keep us posted on your progress.  I'm keeping popcorn at the ready. ?

[tech71]

I just ordered one, OP you should too

 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by tech71

[TobyB]

Oh- as to part availability:

 

the mains are SHOWN as available. 

when I ordered last month, they were shown as

available, but were not.

 

RockAuto can often get you a BeckArnly or something

timing chain slider (or whatever) when it's completely unobtanium

in the Euro parts chain.  

Timing components in particular, for some reason.

When you open the BA box, it says Mahle or Behr or Kolbenshchmidt on the part.

But again, Have Part In Hand Before Proceeding,

 

as US Crapitalism is there ENTIRELY to ensure rich people get richer.

NOT to keep us happy in any shape or form.

 

t

it's usually not more than an annoyance if you're not in a hurry.

[Mike Self]

RE oil pumps.

Unless those engines have either 3-400k miles on 'em, and/or were run absolutely dry of oil, chance are the oil pumps are good.  There are specs in the Blue Book as to clearances between the pump gears, wear to the bottom plate etc.  If the bottom plate (the surface the gears bear on) is grooved, it can be machined flat again.  I also understand there's a small steel plate that can be inserted between the upper and lower pump halves to provide a smooth surface for the pump gears.

 

We checked wear on the pump removed from my '73 with 204k miles and couldn't measure any wear.  I only installed a new pump because I got a bargain on it (in 2003!) and already had it.  It's oil pressure is no higher than the pump it replaced.

 

mike

[2002#3]

I already have two 3-ring binders full of tips, specs, comments, demands, suggestions, do's/don't's, and advice - all from FAQ posts - and have been reading same for the last few months.   Most common remark in all posts:  "Have parts in machinist's hands...".  

[chargin]

22 hours ago, TobyB said:

Oil pumps are absurd

when I built my TII motor a few years ago Ireland engineering was selling the E21 oil pump for a reasonable price, all I had to do was swap out my 2002 pick up and it was good to go for over $100 less 

 

[2002#3]

Rebuild Part 2. 

Let The '77 320i M10 Rebuild Games begin!  Disassembly of the engine took a couple of hours.  I suspect it might take longer than that to rebuild it.  Next:  Disassembly of the E12 head.

 

Photos:  before, after, a couple of mains, crank, and crank journals.

 

Larry

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2022 by 2002#3
Edited Text