A couple of answers (archive)

I recently purchased a 1974 3.0CS in bad need of restoration. My goal is to end up with a clean, running, daily driver. My coupe is currently none of these. I started to write all of the questions I have in a post, but the post became obscenely long, so I decided to make a web-page instead. I put all of the questions I currently have, and my email address on the web page. If / when I get answers to my questions, I will put them there as well. The URL is
http://lowe.cx/Auto/BMW/1974_3.0CS/QandA.html
If you think you could answer some of my questions, I would be very appreciative, and at worst I suspect some of you will find my ignorance hurmorous :) Also you can visit this url: http://lowe.cx/Auto/BMW/1974_3.0CS/
to see some pictures of my coupe. I would post them, but they are very large, and I don't think that would be polite. For those of you who are going to tell me that I bought a rust bucket which will never be worth what I put in it . . ., I know :). I wanted a coupe, and this is the one I could afford. It has brought me it's price in happiness already.
Sincerely,
Andy Lowe

Andy, you of course know that you are looking at a really tough job, and lots of money so I'll go no farther on that subject.

The engine in the photos has the carbs on it, they look like the original Zenith's. There is major work to put your engine compartment right, looks like someone hacked many of the wires and plumbing.

There are restoration experts out here that can answer some of your questions, which I'd suggest you post here several at a time rather than depending on others to go look at both your car and the questions, you may get more responses.

I have an original 73 color brochure, that I obtained contemporary to the car when new, there are many colors that you seldom see, some for good reason and others because they weren't stylish at the time. Polaris silver was one of the most common, the paintcoloris easy to find, and depending on the type of paint selected, varying from moderately expensive to extraordinarily expensive. Expect a first class paint job to cost upwards of $5000.00 plus rust repair.

Your engine and drive train are the easier part of the project, mostly because this basic engine was used in literally millions of cars in various forms. When you say your car has a broken crankcase, are you referring to the block or the oil pan? A 3.3 or 3.5 is doable, the 3.3 is cheaper since you can actually use your 3.0 block suitably relieved for the longer stroke, if the block isn't the part that's broken. A rebuilt long block(with the head) cost about $3000.00 to $5000.00 depending on who does it.

I haven't answered much, but this might get you started.

Pat

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