Non-BMW Stuff on a BMW Forum

B C

this car deserves this transformation. I like seeing these updates.

gilber33

B C said:

this car deserves this transformation. I like seeing these updates.

Thank you!!

I definitely did not think I would be going this deep into it right now, but I'm excited for the direction it's going.

gilber33

Does anyone see any issues with the evaporator (other than the fins)? Are these prone to faililng? I am considering just replacing it while its out since now would be the time to do it. On the old Volvo's that I've owned, the evaporators always failed. This one looks much more robust, but still, I would hate to do all this work on the AC system, get it back together and the evaporator has a leak that I can't see.

I'm also wondering if it being so dirty would impact its effectiveness. There was a ton of debris on it that I had to vacuum off.

Attachments:

straight6pwr

which RSMs did you get?

gilber33

straight6pwr said:

which RSMs did you get?

Meyle HD

gilber33

Worked on the car for a bit after everyone went to bed. Although it’s not much, it now means I can put in the new pass through tubing, the vent tubing, the rear seats, the gas tank, etc. So I am really happy to have this done.

Patch started.

Traced the tubing outline and drilled a bunch of pilot holes then went around it with the dremel.

And fits nicely. Will put in a rivet with a washer on the tip of it to help keep it in place.

YoungCR

Nice work!

gilber33

Heater core is back in with appropriate insulation.

PS hub all back together. When I pressed in the DS hub I used the trailing arm to “pull” the hub instead of the backside of the bearing and I don’t know if that or just dumb luck but the DS hub had ALL SORTS of slop when it was pressed in. So I’ll have to get a new bearing and do that side over.

The fuel vent lines are back in and the hose in. I need to get one of those covers for the lines.

I also pinched one of the new brake lines on top of the subframe when I mounted it, so I am going to see if I can get this middle piece. It always seems like one step forward and a couple back. I have to remind myself it’s only December and there’s a long time until it’s nice out again. But there are so many little things that snowball into not being able to move forward. Without the calipers I can’t tighten down the brake lines because I need them for the like orientation. Without the brake lines done I can’t put the gas tank back in. Without the tank in I can’t put the bottom seat in. Without the rear shelf dyed I can’t put the rear seat back in. Etc.

B C

I have come to learn that everything happens for a reason. Even if the reason is that I just suck at something.

Good fixes on those tubes

gilber33

B C said:

Even if the reason is that I just suck at something

Lol. That’s how I feel most of the time.

FINALLY got the rear hub back out. My slide hammer only came with the shallow/wide hub attachment which means I can only get one bolt on it. After many attempts and using a big hammer on the slide hammer to help, my slide hammer broke.

Rented a slide hammer and the right attachment from Oreilly and after putting the propane torch on the hub for about 10 minutes it popped off with only a few blows. New bearing gets here today.

In the meantime, finished dying the rear shelf and sprayed undercoating on the vent pipe. I’m pleased with how it turned out.

And new evaporator compared to the old one:

jc43089

That evaporator is so shiny you will have to cut some holes in the dash and HVAC box so you can see it while driving!

Jdesign

I didnt know you could buy chrome plated evaporators.

straight6pwr

chrome plated? That looks like it was spray painted with nail polish in a 409 bottle by a blind person.

gilber33

I was thinking of putting it on a chain and wearing it as a necklace.

Boris3

Nice! How about building a plexiglass housing, with led light ropes to show it off? Not as much bling as your neckwear idea but easier on the wardrobe.

It does look sweet though. I kind of feel the same way about the Stromung stainless catback on my 318is. It's the cleanest thing on car and you can't really see in its glory unless you crawl underneath the car. Plus side though is you can hear it.

gilber33

The rear shelf turned out really good!

gilber33

Got the new bearing in and the hub in on the DS and all it’s all tight. New rear brakes and pads and the new brake lines mocked up where they should be going. I ordered a replacement hose from Chase Bays and need that before I tighten down the lines to make sure there is enough slack to go this route.

I have grommets to go in the hole where the factory brake line went through and that’s where this new line will go also

straight6pwr

is that a one piece brake line from the body to the caliper? (removed the hardline from the trailing arms?)

gilber33

Correct. There’s a line from the front to a junction in the rear and then a single line to each caliper.

gilber33

Finally back at it for a little bit after Christmas. The AC evaporator is back in and it’s really cool to see how the interior is going to come back together with the console set in.

Got these for Christmas from my parents and my wife got me the Chase Bays front brake lines. As of December 18th they were still filling orders from Black Friday, so I’m guessing it will be a while before I get those and my replacement section of rear line.

I’ll get an adapter for the pressure gauge at the stock location, tap one of the plugs on the thermostat for the water temp, and then tap the drain plug for the oil temp.

WIBIMMERS

Non-BMW Stuff on a BMW Forum