I didn’t l like what I found on my 1974 BMW 520 E12

I had a closed look at the condition of the cylinder walls of my classic BMW and I didn’t like what I saw. Also, an expert had a look at the engine head and the news aren’t much better either
#bmw #bmw5series #bmwlovers #bmw5

[@TheAstroman]

You sir have some balls for going on this adventure! 👏🚀

[@GentilsGarage]

Hahahah exactly

[@macbook9084]

Thats a shame but don't despair if the mechanic is able to find a replacement engine you will be ok

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, that’s what I’m hoping for

[@113036stat]

Perhaps source a good used engine and run it. Have a shop perform the exchange with new engine mounts. Dont give up there are many ways to approach this. Perhaps Jaymic might have access to engines and lend a hand with solutions.

[@GentilsGarage]

That’s the challenge, finding a good engine. But, I’m not giving up at all on this car. It’s just making sure I take the right decision. The head is now with the BMW specialist so I’ll see if he knows where to source a good block or another engine. I would love to put a six cyl on this car, but loads more parts needed and that would be expensive too as I needed to also change the diff, box and prop.

[@kladers_0174]

oh no! i also have a e12 Inka from 1975 in good working condition! it has an m10b18, i have a spare m30b25 and i am going to swap the engine to a m30b34 this summer. i live in sweden ;)

[@GentilsGarage]

Amazing! This is a South African car with a colour called Castan which was only available on the South African market. Is your car a manual or auto? I would love to upgrade it to a M30.

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, Gentil. I'm sure it will be alright 💪🏼

[@GentilsGarage]

Thanks Frank. Since the head was condemned, I’m more convinced that another engine is the only solution, but finding a similar decent one isn’t easy. Maybe a block? Who knows, but I’ll find out in the next few weeks.

[@fhwolthuis]

@@GentilsGarage wouldn't a more recent M10 block fit too? Like from an e30 or something? Or from an e28 518?

[@GentilsGarage]

@@fhwolthuis I honestly don’t know the answer for that. I know the heads of those cars would not be good for mine because they don’t have the mechanical drive for the fuel pump. I’ll have to ask the specialist.

[@fhwolthuis]

@@GentilsGarage maybe switching to an electric pump is not too bad, if it provides you with an affordable solution.

[@GentilsGarage]

@@fhwolthuis possibly, but requires additional wiring and a relay the car doesn’t have now and that’s additional work and costs. But old 2nd hand 2.l heads can still be found and are not expensive. One day once I have a garage and more funds, I’d like to upgrade it to a six cylinder car.

[@TheTrooperx1]

If Im not mistaken, your car has the 2 liter m10 engine. And most newer m10 engines from e30 & e21 are 1.8 or 1.6. Also 2 liter engines are harder and harder to find I think.

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, it’s the 2.0l and the particularity of mine is that the piston crowns are specific to this car which are hard to find… and I found out yesterday that it has the wrong pistons meaning it has an engine from a 2002, not a 520 E12

If im not mistaking. Then the block is the same on all of these engines. Its the camshaft and pistons that changes and head ofc.

[@GentilsGarage]

@ many have said that although the E28 and E30 blocks are very slightly different, but the bore size is the same across all M10’s, 89mm

[@sammytheseal2307]

Just in case you need them, BMR performance based in turners hill, West Sussex, are expert with all things BMW. I'm sure they'll be able to help you if you need it (I'm not affiliated with them 😅)

[@GentilsGarage]

Thanks, I’ve heard of them. I am now dealing with MJF engineering who is trying to source a another head for my car as that one has been condemned. I only found out the awful state of cyl 1 this afternoon so I’ll tell him next time and discuss the best course of action.

[@sammytheseal2307]

@@GentilsGarage I'm sure it will all be worth the effort in the end when it runs better than ever 😁

[@GentilsGarage]

@@sammytheseal2307 I hope so. 20 years ago I was having a similar issue when the original engine was also kaput and replaced it with this one! 🤣🤣🤣

[@andrewchapman364]

Might be worth talking to Tim Pollock to see if he has a good used head casting or engine.

[@GentilsGarage]

@@andrewchapman364 Mark McLelan has the head in his workshop already and said he was going to look at a good head. Next time I am with him I’ll mention the block. When I dropped the head, I didn’t know the state of cyl 1, only that cyl 3 was slightly pitted. Someone from the club said they had a spare m30 engine, manual box, prop and diff… and that is sounding very tempting to me. Issue is that mine is auto and I would need to find a pedal box.

[@R118GSiVVC]

Sorry it's more bad news my friend

[@GentilsGarage]

Thanks. Im sure there’s a solution to it

[@R118GSiVVC]

@@GentilsGarage I hope so m8! Keep us updated please

[@GentilsGarage]

@@R118GSiVVC sure, will do!

[@TheAstroman]

Aí não há nada a fazer. É a rectificação dos cilindros e com isso novos segmentos e rolamentos de cambota e biela. E a tal cabeça usada em bom estado com nova junta. Abrindo o motor e sem estas operações o motor ficará sempre em risco de partir.

[@GentilsGarage]

É exatamente isso. O cilindro 1 está muito picado no topo por isso acho que a rectificação iria exigir que o mesmo se fizesse aos outros cilindros e com isso pistões mais largos. Eu vou arranjar outro bloco mas em bom estado que só precisa ser escovado e assim uso os mesmo pistões. Apenas ponho segmentos novos e bronzes de biela e cambota novos. A cabeça neste momento está a ser reparada, mas com outra carcaça porque a que estava neste carro está em muito mau estado. E é tenho de mudar todas as juntas também porque estão todas rebentadas.