Re: Help!! I need a 1979 320i Primer from the Gur (archive)

Is there some air leak problem I can't seen to locate? ...It acts like an air leak somewhere, but with my stethescope and steady ear, I can't seem to find---nor could I on my either, which did the exact same thing.

WHat I'd do to determine 1st of air leak is to hook up a vacuum gauge and see how erratic the reading gets. I'd hook it at the source where the brake booster gets its vacuum if at all possible. If you tap somewhere underneath the throttle plate, vacuum could be shut off until the throttle plate's rotated to open.

Secondly, if it's determined that vacuum leak exists, I'd get a can of starting fluid and spray in areas suspect of the leak and see if the engine revs higher a second or so after spraying. If it does, then the leak's localized around there.

Both cars had a ripped out seat rail on the driver's side--is there an easy fix kit for this, or do I once again have to cobble a solution from sheet metal and angle iron, like I did on the '78?

Considering the amount of weight transfer that the seat has to constrain, I doubt that one would want to find an easy fix for. Since I have not personally seen such a broken component you've described, perhaps someone else on this board can describe a suitable repair.

The front McPherson cartriges are pretty shot... what's the good aftermarket solution if you love to corner, don't have a lot of $$ to throw around, and still want to road trip without having to wear a kidney belt?

I'm currently running Bilstein HD, but I'd have to chime out that these shocks are very firm. Very. In fact, going back to 13" (from 14") wheels makes the ride comfortable again. But the end results, IMO, is more a function of driver preference than anything else.

I've also used BOGE turbo gas on my other Bimmers,and would recommend it for that stock damping. Not exactly track setup, but for occasional spirited driving, the compromise can't be beat considering the smooth ride on a very wide range of road conditions. The cost is usually 1/2 that of Bilstein.

The car has 13" rims on it which are definitely nothing to write home about... should I look for some low profile tires on 14" rims instead (preferably used as a package, is you know of some).

If you look at how you expect the end result to be, then 14", maybe 15" is what's needed. It depends on whether the car's going to be lowered, w/ sport shocks (BTW, Bilstein's HD & sport are valved similarly), larger sway bars, etc...

But don't underestimate the 13" size. A 205/60/13 or even 205/55/13 xcross tire will match the performance of the 14 and even 15, IMO. The looks won't be aggressive, though.

Last and probably least, when the engine revvs, it sounds like a pile of sheet metal clattering, and it's hard to isolate where that cacophony's coming from. It there a known culprit for this racket?

Use 20w racing oil , or STP oil treatment, but that's just a band-aid. Perhaps readjusting the valves, or changing worn valve adjustment arms.

Follow Ups:

Re: I agree, BOGE Turbo TS for Daily Driver Robert 10:28 9/09/2001 (1)
- Me too Daniel 17:29 9/09/2001 (0)

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