engine and drivetrain installing early 320i motor in an 02, couple questions

[jerry]

i have an opportunity to acquire a very fresh-looking M10 engine from a 1978 320i. the head is an E21 casting. i'm hoping to put this into a '73 02 with automatic transmission.

to keep costs down i was just going to purchase the block and head.

is there a reason to buy the distributor too?

was wondering if there's any engine-specific issues with distributors?

i suppose the flywheel/clutch would match up with the 74-76 model 02's IIRC.

the intake manifold is the tii-looking type. any reason to acquire it?

[Guest Anonymous]

make sure that the 320i distributor drive gear is identical to the 2002 and not a mirror image that drives the opposite direction

[cj]

the 76-79 e21 distributors have the same rotation as the '02. FYI and IMHO the mechanical advance dist works really well on that motor.

Cris

[Guest Anonymous]

K thanks, I did not know which year they switched

[jerry]

thanks guys. i was a bit fuzzy on that issue and only vaguely recalled previous discussion on the subject of dizzies.

while perusing the archives i noticed that the stock E21 equiped engines used flat top pistons resulting in lower CR. was this for some sort of fuel octane or emission reason?

[TobyB]

the fuel pump boss (undrilled)

and the oil pump and oil pan.

And yes, use the later throwout bearing, and the clutch is the same.

Should be easy!

t

[winstontj]

Auto trans means you're going to need to use all of your own stuff from the R.M. Seal back, torque converter, etc.