JJ Drive on

Thanks for the comments and great advice. I appreciate it.

Hello, Thought I would share my journey and continue to post if others are interested. I received this car about a year or so ago and spent a lot of time researching prior to starting. I have little experience with cars and/or restoration but a decent mechanical and electrical background. I purchased a number of books and watched a lot of YouTube videos to get up to speed. I am starting with the interior and trying hard very hard to stick to my set goals each day. Once completed, I am removing the engine, front, and rear suspension. Luckily, I found a retried master mechanic with 50 years of experience to assist with the engine. I don't have a definite plan yet, but it will be a resto-mod modern conveninces with EFI and a full electrical upgrade. My biggest challenge to date is working out of the third stall of my garage with limited storage. I have attached photos of the work completed over the last three weeks.

Thank you Mark 92131 and the Hack Mechanic. I will buy the book. Both the upper and lower gasket are leaking. After listening to everyone ideas, it does make sense to get the engine running over the next 4 - 5 months of winter in Michigan. The interior is in great shape and the brakes were inspected and updated 4 years ago. From a quick inspection, the shocks and springs need to be replaced.

Thank you for all of the comments and I attached the photos. Excuse my garage as I am still clearing out space. Getting my third stall ready is an ongoing process which I hope to complete by the end of January. New tools, tool box, storage cabinets, heater for the garage, etc. The car was running last June and my father in law tried again before I picked it up. He said it turns over but the choke is stuck.

Hello, I have lerked on the forum for a while and finally picked up the car. Luckily, free from my father in law with 99,000 miles and two owners. All orignal from what I can tell other than some unusual repairs. I finally made the decision to completely tear down the interior to check out the body, and ultimately replace all worn components. A full restoration does not make sense as it will be a daily driver in the summer. My decision is not final and I am building my buget around the below plan, assuming help with the frame (if needed), engine, and of course a professional painter. Remove all rust as possible Seal the full body and frame, hoping for good luck on this part to avoid cutting and welding. Paint color to be decided Leave interior stock, but add sound insulation, new carpet, and maybe headliner. Still trying to understand the additional guages and where to hid the ECM, maybe upgrade the radio. EFI conversion Upgrade all electrical and power for current and future additions Upgrade suspension and brakes as needed, plus sway bars if needed Five speed conversion for Highway driving Add 292 cam and other comonents pending compression and air flow. Porting I am still learning and have a good contact for an engine guy Ideally, added horse power under 150 is a benefit and still learning all of the ins and outs. I have read a fair number of 318i conversions but I don't like the down draft. The ITB's seem interesting, although a fair amount of mods seem to be required for TPS and MAP alterations for a Jenvey system or Dbilas. Maybe I have not found the correct one yet. So much to learn. I wonder if a TI manifold can work with a single throttle body but have not researched. I plan to log my adventure, as my mechanical and electrical knowledge is moderate at best. It would be great to hear similar restortations, ideas, and suggestions. Photos to come soon with a few in my bio. Thank you for your time.