newbie questions (long) (archive)

Hey all, just visiting from the E21 board and have a few questions for you guys.
In the next few days I'm going to check out a '77 530i that has been in storage for the past 7 years. The owner is reluctantly selling it because he is losing his storage space and figures it's better to pass this car along than to let it sit for another 7 years. I know this guy through a friend and I am confident he will be straight up front with me.
That said, I am quite familiar with the potential problems of taking on any car that has been sitting for so long but my concern is the cylinder head issue that I am now just learning about. I was told the following about the cylinder head, "..It was replaced with an M-series head.."
Now after all that, here are my questions:
a) does he really mean an "M" series head or does he mean an M30 head from a 528?
b) how can i tell the diff between heads from other engines? are there any casting #'s I can look for?
c) what heads from other engines are compatible with the 530?
d) I realize the 77 530 is not a desirable model as far as E12's go BUT, if the head has been swapped out for something else does it become desirable?

Any info would be greatly appreciated,
thanks,
Bob (Guelph, Ont.)

Follow Ups:

thanks... i'll keep you posted Bob Blamauer 07:00 7/29/2001 (0)
Re: newbie questions (long) Eric 20:50 7/26/2001 (3)
- Re: newbie questions (long) stewart 04:40 7/27/2001 (1)
  - Re: newbie questions (long) Eric 12:01 7/27/2001 (0)
- I agree Mike W. 01:32 7/27/2001 (0)

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