E30 M52

[B C]

12621710511

Since the X52 head has only 1 coolant sensor provision, I removed the throttle body coolant nipple from the head and installed the sensor there. The blue coolant sensor location could very well be an M14 thread like the stock E30 brown sensor, I never checked, but the coolant nipple location is M12x1.5

[B C]

Trans. mated to engine, harness install in progress. Headers coated+painted.

[Jdesign]

Tis so close to being placed inside of car. 

[jc43089]

The sensor port is m14x1.5 on an OBD1 head for anyone wondering.  I am 99% sure that there are two m14 ports and one m12 port on the early heads.

[B C]

The throttle body coolant connection being the M12x1.5 that I used

[B C]

There comes a time in every man’s build when he has to break out the zip ties.....

Kaiser and JC have been very helpful in sending pictures and info about wiring harness routing. There is at least one bracket im missing that helps with retaining the clump of wires and I cannot find it on RealOEM. Thats okay. Its not the end of the world. The wiring covers I installed jumbled up the natural lay of the wires so it isnt how it would have come from the factory but I feel I have routed wires as safely as possible to minimize rubbing, pinching, or possible electrical interference on the shielded wires.

Enter: zipties

For comparison purposes I am posting the mess under the manifold before and after. Im not really trying to show it off but i cant see both images side by side on my phone so here they are for comparison.

So here it is

OBD2

OBD1

[B C]

Engine is installed.

I still have a long way to go before it gets fired up or drives but I have freed up the other side of the garage so the family truckster can park inside and avoid the snow.

The feeling of accomplishment from hitting this milestone will give me some fresh motivation to take care of the numerous smaller tasks remaining

Dave, you are the man! Thanks for your help yet again.

[Morzada]

Is it just me, or did your oil filler neck switch ends?

[B C]

Sure did. OBD2->OBD1

The plastic obd2 valve cover has the filler at the front of the engine and the magnesium obd1 valve cover has it in the rear

[m42b32]

Wooo!

[KaiserRolls]

Dang that’s fresh!!!

[B C]

Connected battery, turned key, watched for smoke. Starter works. (Intake and ecu still not connected)

The header rubs on the heat shield on the passenger footwell so I will see if I can do some adjusting with that.

[KaiserRolls]

ICV hum present??

[B C]

no, ecu not connected. I had to verify the powers and grounds before I felt good about potentially frying the ecu [emoji275]

[Jdesign]

OHHH YEAHHHHH. Leaps and bounds you are making in very little time. Keep cranking away!

[jc43089]

Jdesign said:

OHHH YEAHHHHH. Leaps and bounds you are making in very little time. Keep cranking away!

I see what you did there.  And I like it!

[Jdesign]

[B C]

So don't get your hopes up for any rage drift footage anytime soon. Based on my to-do list I should be able to fire the car up around thanksgiving and maybe drive it in January.

I am replacing the control arms, master cylinder, and hopefully the brake calipers, pads and rotors "while I'm in there" (these ones have about 20,000 hard miles) BUT my female counterpart is watching purchases like a hawk so I really need to liquidate some of my remaining parts stash items to justify buying some last odds and ends.

wish me luck n stuff..

this also assumes that my mechanical work, wiring, or vanos/timing aren't dickered so having a massive backfire through the intake, blowing a hole through the precious plastic m50 manifold is still a possibility when I finally get around to running it.

[GunMetalGrey]

Snap said:

this also assumes that my mechanical work, wiring, or vanos/timing aren't dickered so having a massive backfire through the intake, blowing a hole through the precious plastic m50 manifold is still a possibility when I finally get around to running it.

I assume you turned the motor over a few times on the stand to ensure that timing stayed in place, if so your timing work is on point!
I have yet to see anything go through one of the manifolds, but it would be kind of cool if you did?

Keep on truckin'!

[B C]

I turned the motor over 1/4 turn and it was jammed, heard a metallic thunk, so i turned it back to tdc and used a mini-sledge to get the cam thinger back on. It kinda rounded the corners on the cam blocks but the vanos will makeup for it lololol

Jk if its somehow not perfectly timed then i quit engines