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Yeah, and.... (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 8-series (E31) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Mark in SBA on March 23, 2001 at 16:29:50:

In Reply to: Re: using M3 head on 850CSi posted by Len Cacioppo on March 23, 2001 at 09:49:39:

Len's right. V-12 heads have some unique design quirks.

The M3 heads have the camshaft chain cover integrated into the head, meaning it cannot be adapted. The V-12 engineers were pretty sneaky - the engine has only one part number for the heads. No left and right part numbers. They did this by making the heads longitudinally symmetric. The only difference between the heads is the camshaft for the right head has a slightly longer "nose" to reach the cam gear. The covers are "handed" as well. Since the camshaft gears and chains are enclosed in a separate timing case, the heads can be designed so they're "un-handed" - no left or right.

Pretty cool.

Did the M50 head have a similar arrangement?

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