For starters, any of the big 6 BMW engines 81 model year or earlier will fit, and the small 6 wasn't imported until 82. Most, but not all have the displacement stamped on the serial number flat back by the starter, it would be something like 3.0 for the original 530i engine or 3.2 for a 3.3 engine. It is smaller in size than the serial number and hard to see but it is probably there. The dealer or others could probably trace it by the serial number since many shared that number with the chassis or vin. If none of that works look on the intake side below the intake manifold, cast into the block will be 3.0 or 3.0/3.3 or 2.5/2.8. The first would be the original, the second could be either a 3.0 or 3.3 and the last would likely be a 2.8 out of a 528i. And after all this there is surprising little difference between 2.8 or 3.0 or 3.3. Now 3.5 is another matter but those aren't a direct swap. Mike W.
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