For the last 25 years I've been engrossed in Datsun 240Z cars, but a week ago I found an 82 320i a car lot had repo'd that had a cracked head (the head was off of it). It has 14" Elite alloy wheels, goodyear eagles, auto, AC, rear spoiler, repainted a year and a half ago (black) and rust free (rare around here since we're on the Gulf of Mexico). I found a receipt in it from a year ago where they sold it for $3375.

I asked about what they'd take for it like it was and the guy who owned the lot said he'd take $250 for it to get it off his lot, so I bought it (woo-hoo!). I figured I can sell the wheels and tires, and the rear spoiler and break even if nothing else, so it was worth a shot and a really clean little car at that.

I decided to rebuild the engine in it since half the work was already done and I needed to replace the head anyway.

I found a head at pick-a-part that had been recently rebuilt for $45 with the complete valve train, distributor and valve cover (and a turn signal lens for $1.95). I decided to clean the head up and take a look at the valves since it was easier now that finding out it had a problem after I put it on. It looks great. The cam and followers are perfect, new guides are in it and the valves look very good. Getting it apart was easy enough (tricky but easy), so now I'm lapping the valves and am about ready to put it back together.

Soooo..., my first question is, how do you get the cam followers back in?

I got them out by rotating the cam and when the valve opened, but a 1/4" rubber between the valve and seat which gave me plenty of clearance, but putting the rubbers back in after I get the valves in without the cam's help to push the valves down is going to be a bit harder, so, how do you guys do it if you can't find a bimmer tool?

My second question is, where's the best place to buy new parts? I found rings, rod bearings, main bearings, a head set, a lower gasket set, timing and oil pump chains and freeze plugs at Zygmunt for $230. About half of what the best price I got for them locally.

I've scoured the web and haven't really found any other places so any help would be greatly appreciated.

In fact, ANY help or any suggestions about ANYTHING I need to know about these cars would be appreciated.

Thanks guys, hopefully this will break my Z car streak,
Rob