tires and wheels 1600 Flywheel bolt Q

[pecsok]

Does anybody know when the switch from 6 bolt to 8 bolt flywheels occured on the 1600's? I have a Feb 69 production 1600 and am looking to fit up the e21 5 speed. I'm hoping I have the 8 bolt configuration so I can use the 2002 clutch setup. I guess my real question is can I use the existing 1600 clutch assembly with the e21 tranny if I have a 6 bolt flywheel? If so, I'd be able to avoid the whole flywheel bolt hole labrynth.

[Mike Self]

the old style (coil spring) pressure plate as used on your 1600 (2002s prior to VIN 1665200 used 'em too) and the 323 throwout bearing that is required for the 5 speed gearbox.

I'm sure someone out there has been thru this conversion--what's the deal? I'd face the same situation with my early 2nd series '69 2002 with a six bolt flywheel.

Of course you can always have your flywheel drilled for a diaphragm clutch--fairly simple job for a good machine shop...

mike

[Slavs]

Good Question,

I have asked this question myself, and I have gotten 2 definitive answers

that it will work, although I haven't done it myself.

The throwout bearing to use is the 320i bearing. Another reason I think the 320i throwout bearing will work is because the 320i 5 speed pressure plate and disk are identical to the 74-76 2002 215mm pressure plate and disk. The only difference between the two clutch systems is the throwout bearing because the hydraulic actuation is different. The 320i throwout bearing is essentially a modified 74-76 2002 bearing. The 1600 throwout bearing is identical to the throwout bearing used on the 74-76 2002 . So the 1600 bearing is also used on the 2002 (74-76) that uses the same pressure plate and disk as the 320i.

I have gathered all the parts, and I'm going to do this conversion some day on my 69 1600.

As far as the crank is concerned, I think they switched to 8 hole in late 69 or 1970.

Good Luck,

Slavs

[Brandon]

I parted out a '71 1602 last year and that car had the 6 bolt crank and mechanical clutch set-up. I believe all 1600-2s/1602s had this set up.

[florida1600]

The change from 6-bolt to 8-bolt flywheels happened around or after January 1969. If you look in the engine and clutch sections of the Mobile Tradition parts books, you can see a VIN/chassis number/engine number breakdown of when the switch occured. My car is April 1969 production, 1568930 and it has the 8-bolt crank. I believe this change happened at the same time the 1600s switched to short-neck differentials and 4-piston front brake calipers.

For the e21 5-speed swap, you may have to look into swapping in a 2002 pedal box with hydraulic clutch. The clutch linkage for the 1600s and 2002s pushes the release lever toward the rear of the car, whereas the e21 slave cylinder pushes the release lever toward the front of the car.

In regard to the other post, I find it odd that a 1971 1600 would have the six bolt, if this was the original engine. The only way to know would be to compare the engine number to the VIN/chassis number. If it was the original engine, it's proof that BMW used up parts as they had them on hand. I've seen a very clean low-mileage (51K) 1971 1600 that had both the eight-bolt crank and a hydraulic clutch. Unfortunately, I didn't record the VIN/chassis number of this car.

[pecsok]

Thanks, gents! I will do two things: Get the 320i TO bearing and see how it all comes together with the 200mm clutch, and I will note the # of bolts on the crank (Feb 69). I'll check in with the results, then we can document it for posterity!