xlittlejohnx

I also use the HF 15lb soda blaster for clean-up work. It's a really nice little tool to have around - http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/start,0/t,324272/topic_view,flat/.

It doesn't work real well for corrosion, but for paint and grease/dirt/grime removal it shines. I just use it at the curb and hose the baking soda down the sewar. A set of leather gloves and some googles work well for protection.

Thats the route I plan to take so hopefully I can clean up some of these parts next week...

thank you to everyone who gave some info.

Anyone familiar with soda blasting? I understand that its a great way to remove paint and has many uses. From what I read, its basically baking soda and water at high pressure. The equipment seems to be priced well when I research online. I've seen small portable units to full size units mounted on a trailer. I would buy a portable unit for use on the car, decks, exterior paint removal at home, etc. The trailer mounted units seem worth their asking price as well. I'm considering buying the equipment so any thoughts are appreciated.

yep, I have so many new parts in boxes, but I never seem to get around to putting them on. Thank you both for the info on the allen wrench- the sun must have kept me from thinking clearly by the end of the day. Any idea why I seem to have so much positive camber now?

So, with inspiration from Marshall and Jim, today I attempted to install a new seat of bilsteins on the rear of the car. I did not want to tackle the springs on my own, but I figured shocks and sway bar bushings would be easy. Everything was straight forward thanks to some advice from Grice and Jay midway through the project. When I lowered the car to tighten the bolts, I found that the top nut that screws onto the shock (the piston maybe?) would not tighten without the piston turning as well. I tried holding the piston from below the shock tower, but could not get enough grip to keep it from spinning. Is there a tip anyone has to accomplishing this? Also, I noticed that I appear to have a ton of negative camber now. Is this because the shocks are not tightened down yet? My wheels are factory basketweave style made by momo and I think they are from a 320i. Thanks for the help!

John

http://www.awdirect.com/magentic-license-plate-holder-adams-magnetic-products-61n0002/body-hardware/?CID=AWSEFGL&EPC=AWSEFGL

When I sold cars, we used these...it makes it easy to use whenever you feel the need. I have one for my car thats tagged in VA, but I usually just say F the police. ;-)

You missed the get-together last year...

Has you mileage suffered due to those heavy-ass lights?

I figure mileage to be about the same as before I added lights...Since the addition of my massive lights, I removed the passenger seat to work on the floor boards. Seat for lights, seams to be a good trade off. I've actually only put about 10 miles on my car in the last 90 days. I want to finish the interior and suspension in time for Chapterfest...

Jim,

If you have a drivers side E21 Recaro on the passenger side, I have an idea...

;-)

I also think we need some pics of your cars stance with the new suspension setup unless I missed the post...

There are a few more pics in the attached link. The interior has been a mess for weeks and I hope to finish it when we get a break from our DC summer heat wave...

http://picasaweb.google.com/xlittlejohnx/19732002AtFortWard#

Beautiful car! Thats the one BMW Classics installed an automatic in...first time in a 3.0csi for a customer.

sorry, you missed another one. i replaced the rear suspension on the M2 last saturday, and replaced the whole front suspension in two hours sunday....;-)

will need to get a stop watch out and time the next one!

Thats a quick swap! I might have to call your bluff. I'll be there bright an early one morning with the stop watch, car, and parts. :-)

I really wanted/needed to help out and learn a bit prior to trying my similar setup. Saturday's wedding in Roanoke had a serious moonshine bar that extended our checkout a little later than planned with nothing other than a very lazy day ahead. The next project, I'll make it! When I see pictures like yours, I realize how much work my car has ahead of it. Looks good!

-John

I have two of 'em that I'm not using. One is in pieces and really dirty, but should be solid. The other worked well when taken off and is much cleaner. I also have a rebuild kit that I don't need. I can ship tomorrow for you.

-John

xlittlejohnx @ yahoo.com

Marshall, your yard is ridiculous and I can't wait for the day that my yard has such a wonderful presence. What a great setup for that fine collection of metal! I'll look forward to helping out unless this brutal heat is still in effect then I might have to watch the World Cup final instead.

They had a 2002 in Hancock which was pretty recent. I feel like I see them regularly in movies/tv. I liked seeing Jay Leno's 02 on Top Gear about a year ago.

Jim,

If you and Marshall need an extra set of hands to help with the front suspension install, let me know. I mean, really, I would like to practice before I replace my own suspension. ;-)

I usually wake around 3 am just to look out the window at my little beauty...Probably won't sleep throught the night til I get a garage.

Great pictures! Growing up I spent many summers at a camp in Moultonboro- can't beat the summer weather up there.

Does anyone know where I can get a Weber 32/36 rebuild kit in the DC area? I have a DFAV, but I think that the kits are all the same. Any idea where I can get a rebuild kit?

Did you find one? If not, I am glad to dig through the parts bins. I'm pretty sure I have a rebuild kit.

There where so many gorgeous cars. The Bentley driver might have been cooler than all the cars. He didn't walk so well anymore and does not bother to clean up before going out, but he sure did have some great vintage Bentley gear on including the old goggles.

There was a guy that showed up at the Boathouse Restaurant in Lakeville that had an 87-88 Volante convertible. It was really nice! He wanted to check out the Aston event at Lime Rock, but his son "hates" cars. Maybe he just doesn't like daddy right now. lol.

Wish I had made it to BMW event on Friday, but just couldn't get there in time.

Since I have so many Aston Martins in my collection I thought it was about time to attend the club event at Lime Rock. ;-) The last five pictures are from the Boathouse Restaurant in Lakeville. The green Bentley was original, unrestored, and driven by the most fitting character. That car was one of my favorites. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/xlittlejohnx/LimeRockAndLakeville# [/url]

Thanks for the info you guys posted. Those pics are great! The Factory Recars are pretty cool. I like the chrome piece on the seats in the link posted. Its similar to that on the standard seats which makes them appealing. That tilt function is pretty funky though. I just picked up a set of Recaros that were described as being factory from a '74 tii, but they appear to be nicely redone e21 seats instead. Too bad the original owner didn't order my car with Recaros and the CR 5spd.

Was there an option for factory Recaro seats on 02s other than the turbo? How common was this option if it existed? Any pictures?

Doug, good luck! Its awful to hear of stories like this. I posted a pic of your car and a link to this post on my facebook telling all my friends on the left coast to keep a look out! I hope it returns home safely.

Great pictures! There is some amazing history at that show. The Porsche tractors, unimogs, and different trucks are great!

Bought a set of Eurotrashes's panels, but went another route. These are great and I'll sell them for $150 and I'll deliver locally. It will save someone on shipping if they planned to get a set anyway. Otherwise, I'll use them at a later date. SOLD!

I have a set of black seats in fair cosmetic condition, but excellent functionality including slide and recline. $100/obo