My name is Earl, and I have a Stainless Steel bolt fetish =)
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That's the whole point of air. drive slammed 24/7 until you need to pull into a driveway/over a speed bump.. lol
It is very true that a lot of people do that.....but it is retarded.  Ironically my setup will be exactly for that, however I'm not lowering to the extreme Earl is.
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Well the compact got outside for the first time since November=)
I got the airline ran for the front struts and then rolled it outside to sweep out my spot in the shop. Enjoy the picture dump=D
The drivers rear somehow snaked the tire in more than usual and seemed like it was going to unbead. lol I need to pull the fenders within the next week or two.
I then pulled the car in and cambered the fronts to get the fitment down. Then I realized that the struts need to be spun down because it doesn't air down as far as I want. Here is where the front is at now.
I also just love the insane toe in the rear......not
Definitely getting my trailing arms modified this winter to correct that.
I also inspected the chain guides on my motor and they were all good except for the right hand side one. The plastic was separating from the metal. Now to order that, paint the timing covers, and get it all back together=)
Updates after Saturday=P
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this looks awesome earl!!!!!
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it doesnt really do justice seeing it on my little phone.
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it doesnt really do justice seeing it on my little phone.Â
You will see it Saturday. Looks much better in person.
Two more pictures that look almost exactly the same (and close to picture one in my last post)
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Damn, that looks awesome. I'm usually not a fan of the stretch/poke look but those wheels on that car just work so well
Thank you sir:)
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I decided to focus on the engine this Saturday.
I started off by cleaning up the timing covers.
I had bought a can of VHT Wrinkle Black to do my valve cover and intake manifold, so I decided it would work well here too.
I cannot believe how well it turns out being from a spray can. After two hours had passed, I removed the old front main seal and installed the new one.
During the time that took to wrinkle, I completed some other quick tasks.
I cleaned up my head and installed new intake/exhaust manifold studs.
I also cleaned and painted the rear portion of my timing case. I was going to just clean it up and leave it raw, but it was stained and just didn't look good enough to me.
I also installed the coolant passage. (You can see where I painted the front on this side as well.)

I then spent a ton of time cleaning up the oil pan and thermostat housing.
I painted the thermostat housing with the VHT Wrinkle Black as well. I left the shop before it cured so I do not have any pictures of it.
I then tackled the oil pan. The front was covered in oil and road grime. After I got it clean I was also going to leave it raw, but I was not satisfied with how it looked. I sprayed it with engine primer and then put on two coats of gloss black caliper paint. I didn't want to waste my VHT Wrinkle Black and the caliper paint can withstand up to 600 degrees so I am not worried.
I am working on ordering the timing chain guide that I need. I have part number 11311247483 on my engine. The plastic is separating from the metal. I noticed that part number 11311247470 is also listed. That seems to be an all plastic version which would be superior since it cannot separate. I posted a thread on R3V to see which one to order and I have been told that 11311247470 is the one to go with. I am hoping to find one at Concours BMW or somewhere local so I can get my engine back together within the next few weeks=)
I am hoping to work on the valve cover and intake manifold this Wednesday. The car will be going to have the bay welded after I sort a few things out. I am also going to be borrowing a fender roller to get my rear arches situated.
I am happy with how things are slowly coming together. Updates to come after Wednesday=)
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Love the attention to detail, especially on parts most would consider not to matter. I do the same things and people think I'm crazy.
How much are the guides? Due to the age and one starting to fail, it may be prudent to replace them all.
Thank you sir. All the little things count for me=) You're not crazy at all.
The guide I need is about $50. I inspected the others and they look almost new. The PO replaced the timing chain and head so I believe he replaced those too. Those are all solid plastic pieces too. The one failing was a terrible design where a plastic strip is adhered to a metal mount. The plastic is peeling off the metal on mine.
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You will see it Saturday. Looks much better in person.
Two more pictures that look almost exactly the same (and close to picture one in my last post)
daaaaaaammmmnnnnn
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