Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild. (archive)

Dear forum members I need your help, I have a 1980 635 w/ a blow engine. The B.M.W. specialty shop that is doing the repairs told me that, cranshaft and rods were damaged. They are going to take the crank-shaft/rods to a machine-shop to get them " miked",to see if they can be re-worked. If they cannot reworked they informed me that it would not be worth rebuilding. They also told me that that my cylinder walls in resonably good shape and could probaly getaway without getting my block bored.
They told me that I should consider putting a block out of a 87-88 735 or a 90 735(is supposed to have high compression).

My questions are: Should I consider putting an american block in an euro car? Is it worth spending my kids college money on a complete engine rebuild?
Will I notice the loss of power? Is the specialty shop trying to encourage me to which blocks, so they can get my euro block (arent they rare)?

What is a resonable price for a complete rebuild? What is to much to spend on a 80 euro? Where can i locate euro engine parts?

If anyone has had any experience rebuilding a 6 series engine I would greatly apprecaite your input.
THANKS IN ADVANCE

Sounds like a dilemna. It's good to hear you have the patience with that old girl to consider options for her.

My best recommendation is buy an engine through the Roundel. There are good-running-condition long block big 6 Euro motors in there frequently for less than $3k.

I'd also keep the old motor and tear it apart yourself to learn how to "do it yourself", and perhaps attempt a high performance rebuild project over time, so you could have 2 operational motors in the future. You could even later sell one of the motors to a good home and use the cash to pay for your kid's college books.

Shoot me an email if you have further questions or need some help locating a replacement motor or parts. I wouldn't mind taking a few minutes to help keep another Euro635 on the road.

Parts aren't expensive or too hard to come by if you have time, the BMWCCA, and the internet on your side.

Best of luck with your Euro E24, I've owned a couple in my day (hell, my first car was an '81), and I understand their rarity.
Austin Ford

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