engine and drivetrain 5-speed tranny install update (DONE!)

[BillWilliams]

Jim, I do have the M3 starter but I am not sure that should make a difference. I do not remember the sequence of how I did it, sorry.

I have an motor on a stand I can check tomorrow.

[jgerock]

Thanks Bill. Maybe using the smaller socket head bolt is the key (than the larger hex head one).

[Harv]

What/who's drive shaft are you going to use?

John

[M3M3]

i put a driveline service of portland shaft in my car at the recommendation of rob torres. very nice! did a custom length in a week. highly recommended. think jim is going that way too. will not order it until we get accurate measurement check. still need to r&r his diff to reseal the back cover and replace the diff hanger bushings. once that is all done will do final measurement and order the driveshaft.

[jgerock]

i put a driveline service of portland shaft in my car at the recommendation of rob torres. very nice! did a custom length in a week. highly recommended. think jim is going that way too. will not order it until we get accurate measurement check. still need to r&r his diff to reseal the back cover and replace the diff hanger bushings. once that is all done will do final measurement and order the driveshaft.

Correct on using DLS in Oregon. I have also heard good things from Mike Pugh in NC on a nearby (to him) shop that will do it for a very reasonable price. There is another heavily-advertised shop in Georgia that does BMW and M-B driveshafts.

Just for grins, Marshall and I measured exactly 60" from the rear diff flange to the mounting surface of the guibo yesterday. Not sure what position the diff is in - nor if the alignment is correct (yet).

[jgerock]

Sorry for the delay in my pic/post update. I came down with a nasty cold that prevented me from working in the garage (even cleaning up from last Saturday's work).

Before the trans. was installed, Marshall and I R&R'd the steering box to renew the shaft seal. The pivot linkage tie rod was a tough one to remove, especially since I didn't have: torch, puller, butane lighter, etc. We ended up using my new HD Craftsman soldering gun to heat the adjacent area and it popped off with some light hammer/pipe knocks!

Here is the box with new seal re-installed.

After that, Marshall R&R'd the pilot bearing using his fancy puller, then the Sachs 228mm disc, pressure plate and E21 323i release bearing parts were installed. Red Loctite was used on (6) new BMW pressure plate bolts.

[Kidasters]

No worries Jim. Something is going around. My whole family has been sick.

Red loc-tite is scary.

No more pics?

Ken

[jgerock]

The new (BMW) slave cylinder is made of plastic! I also installed a new clutch arm retaining clip and rubber bushing.

Here are some pics of the new clutch fluid hose with special E21 bracket sourced from Rob Torres. The hard line comes straight and you must bend it to fit the tranny bellhousing.

I used a (much) longer harness for the reverse light switch that will require shortening. Since my old wires were a mess, I cut them off and used male spade connectors.

Here is my old harness that includes the neutral safety switch connectors (if that is right)

[Kidasters]

That's it - I'm flying you and Marshall to Houston to help me with my install....

[jgerock]

Ken - somethings up with the limit to how much you can type...

Here is the back of the tranny without the shifter and driveshaft.

Here is my old plastic clutch master-to-slave hose (still good)

Old slave cylinder

You can tell I'm not good at removing the old 4-speed slave cylinder ;-)

I still have to:

Shorten the reverse light wires

Tighten the (2) bolts holding the shift tower

Add the vertical brace

[Kidasters]

doesn't matter. Still want you and Marshall to help me.

Ken

[jgerock]

doesn't matter. Still want you and Marshall to help me.

Ken

Houston has got to be warmer than here.. we're expecting more snow tomorrow.

[Kidasters]

Not much Jim. Supposed to be in the mid-20's here tonight. Remember - we aren't used to cold weather. So this is arctic to us...

Ken

[M3M3]

then send plane tickets when it gets warmer.....;-)

[BillWilliams]

send three I want to watch