"M"-Plant

[Jr ///M5]

The S38 decided to let the headgasket seep a miniscule amount of oil into the coolant. However slight it was, it had to be delt with, and the engine had to come out to perform the work. It's all back together now and better than it ever was.

While the engine was apart, it was an opportune time to replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing and motor mounts, O2 sensor, distributor cap and rotor, gaskets and bolts everywhere. It didn't stop there as new hoses and belts also graced the newly cleaned and throughly gone through top end. The head was sent to the machine shop for hot tanking and valve grinding along with checking all the tolerances within specification. After 109k miles this S38-B36 engine still showed the crosshatch within the cylinder walls. The valve guides were still well within specification and the only thing replaced in the head were 4 exhaust valves, bringing it back to like new condition. I cleaned the tops of the pistons using a shop vac and masking off the area to reduce the chance of anything getting into the ring landings. It took 5 hours alone to get the piston tops like new again using plastic and wooden scrapers and Gumout.

The whole project took between 80-90 hours to complete. My fingers were sore for a week afterward. I learned plenty about the S38 and can say it was THE most complicated engine I have ever been inside. There was plenty of help, although I did every bit of the actual work by myself. You need to be focused in order to not miss anything, an interruption could cause a catastrophic mistake.

So first of all, I'm THANKFUL for my family and friends this Thanksgiving Holiday, and next....well, I'm thankful the S38 is back to better than ever conditon, ready for another 109k miles...

Enjoy!
JR

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4474/mplantrf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[philbyil]

Did a great job there mate.....but, you know, your headers look a little dirty :D :D :D


The S38 decided to let the headgasket seep a miniscule amount of oil into the coolant. However slight it was, it had to be delt with, and the engine had to come out to perform the work. It's all back together now and better than it ever was.

While the engine was apart, it was an opportune time to replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing and motor mounts, O2 sensor, distributor cap and rotor, gaskets and bolts everywhere. It didn't stop there as new hoses and belts also graced the newly cleaned and throughly gone through top end. The head was sent to the machine shop for hot tanking and valve grinding along with checking all the tolerances within specification. After 109k miles this S38-B36 engine still showed the crosshatch within the cylinder walls. The valve guides were still well within specification and the only thing replaced in the head were 4 exhaust valves, bringing it back to like new condition. I cleaned the tops of the pistons using a shop vac and masking off the area to reduce the chance of anything getting into the ring landings. It took 5 hours alone to get the piston tops like new again using plastic and wooden scrapers and Gumout.

The whole project took between 80-90 hours to complete. My fingers were sore for a week afterward. I learned plenty about the S38 and can say it was THE most complicated engine I have ever been inside. There was plenty of help, although I did every bit of the actual work by myself. You need to be focused in order to not miss anything, an interruption could cause a catastrophic mistake.

So first of all, I'm THANKFUL for my family and friends this Thanksgiving Holiday, and next....well, I'm thankful the S38 is back to better than ever conditon, ready for another 109k miles...

Enjoy!
JR

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4474/mplantrf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jr ///M5]

Ha, ol' geezer huh? That's a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black..(how's that for an old saying)

How the headers are that color I have no idea, they are stainless and I've never seen a stainless that turned that color....well, unless they are heated cherry red..;)

Hope you're having a happy Thanksgiving, wha'd ya cook for Deb???


Cheers bro,
JR

[Bin_jammin]

Just an FYI on cleaning piston tops and cumbustion chambers in the head: Aircraft paint remover. I picked up a quart of it at a local paint specialist for $8, and it's the most vile, nastiest stuff I've used in a long time. Burns skin badly, and I've got skin that's impervious to nealy every other chemical I've ever used. Basically goop a little bit on a toothbrush, rub the toothbrush on the surface you're cleaning for about 5-10 seconds, and wipe clean with a rag. It'll be nearly spotless, it works that well and that fast. Use in well ventilated area, trust me.

Harmless to metal, after all it's for removing paint from aluminum. You can do every piston in your engine in a couple minutes if you take your sweet-arse time.

[weiss_535is]

Nice job! Looking sensational, love the wheels also!:)

[Jr ///M5]

Tried to keep the nasties to a minimum. I was lucky that it was warm enough still to open the garage door when using the Gumout. I have to preserve the last two brain cells I have left.

Thanks for the advice bimjammin, the aircraft paint remover sounds like it would have saved about 4-1/2 hours of cleaning. Then I probably would have to add the time it took to take me to the emergency room...:D

[philbyil]

Yeah, I'll always be older than you right....Hehehe!!

BTW - I use Bartenders Friend on my RT stainless exhaust and it brings it up like new!!

Mashed taters and chicken breast with broccoli, cauliflower and home made cream gravy. Cruciferous veg, complex carbs and protein...you can tell I been reading up on this stuff can't you:D

Can't wait till I start cooking fierce curries and chilies again....;)

Happy Turkey Day everyone.....:p

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Looks great!

I wish I could get all the yellow stuff of my S38

[Jr ///M5]

Yeah, that cosmoline is a tough customer, it gets everywhere when BMW preps the vehicle for overseas shipment. When the vehicle hits the shore, they are supposed to pressure wash it off before the heat of the engine sets the stuff. Some of the ones I've seen doesn't look like they even touched it. Once it's set, it'll take some real devotion and something like kerosene to bust it loose.

One good thing, it's a great rust inhibitor.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Yeah, that cosmoline is a tough customer, it gets everywhere when BMW preps the vehicle for overseas shipment. When the vehicle hits the shore, they are supposed to pressure wash it off before the heat of the engine sets the stuff. Some of the ones I've seen doesn't look like they even touched it. Once it's set, it'll take some real devotion and something like kerosene to bust it loose.

One good thing, it's a great rust inhibitor.


Yeah, it looks like mine got a double dip:(

[Nick.Hay]

Uhh... Jr.

I think I have an unnatural aversion to your ///M5!!

She is ****ing beautiful!!