I picked up a very nice 1602 over the weekend and have had a blast driving it during the past few days. It's quite a different experience going from driving 300 and 400hp m3s to this, but I haven't even though about grabbing the keys to the m3s since I've had it.

I do ,however, have a few questions. I know most of these could be solved via searching, but the 'faq doesn't exactly have the best forum layout.

- Easest way to defrost the car? I've been spoiled by modern 'defrost' buttons and haven't quite come across a quick and easy way to clear up the back windows in the mornings.

- Proper way to use the choke on cold mornings? Again, I've been spoiled by the modern conviences of EFI and have just blindly been pulling on it while starting. My last carb'd vehicle was a 351 swapped Early Bronco and even that had electronic choke.

- What is meant by a 'mechanical clutch'? Is that just another name for a cable operated clutch?

- Proper method for testing the speedo cable? My speedometer is currently inoperable.

- Where should the temp guage sit? Mine sits about 1/4 way up, I'm guessing that's not correct.

- How much wind noise is normal at say 55mph? I'm just curious if replacing all the window seals is a futile task.

- Sources for a 'new' dashboard cover?

Thanks in advance.

- Steven


http://www.racefactoryfab.com/mrs/1602/1.jpg
http://www.racefactoryfab.com/mrs/1602/3.jpg

Congratulations! Nice looking car!

- Easest way to defrost the car? I've been spoiled by modern 'defrost' buttons and haven't quite come across a quick and easy way to clear up the back windows in the mornings.

- Proper way to use the choke on cold mornings? Again, I've been spoiled by the modern conviences of EFI and have just blindly been pulling on it while starting. My last carb'd vehicle was a 351 swapped Early Bronco and even that had electronic choke.


- What is meant by a 'mechanical clutch'? Is that just another name for a cable operated clutch?


- Proper method for testing the speedo cable? My speedometer is currently inoperable.



- Where should the temp guage sit? Mine sits about 1/4 way up, I'm guessing that's not correct.


- How much wind noise is normal at say 55mph? I'm just curious if replacing all the window seals is a futile task.

- Sources for a 'new' dashboard cover?

.

Hope these help!

Thanks in advance.

- Steven


1. Most, if not all of the window defrosting "grids" on these cars are toast after so many years. Your best bet is to keep it indoors or use a scraper to clear the windows in the morning...

2. Do you know which carb you have? Weber 32/36? Original one barrel Solex?

3. Yes...

4. Some of these also fail over the years. Curt Ingraham has a "how to" posted at the 2002FAQ.com board.

5. It depends. Again, these cars are known to have electrical grounding problems. If the needle is less than half, I would'nt mess with it? Do you notice any overheating problems?

6. Wind noise is common. Even replacing the door seals will sometimes not work. Besides, after installing the new seals you will have to wait a while for the seals to be "seated" properly. You might also be able to adjust the windows by removing the door panel and adjusting the frame.

7. You problably have the original three piece dash. If that is the case, you have the option of searching some of the vendors or E-Bay for the parts that you need. You can also send it to vendors like Justdashes.com for a restoration. I have also seen dash covers made for the one piece dash units found on the 74-76 2002's. Some people have tweaked them to work on the older dashes..

Steven,

I have a good friend with a 67 1600 who I help regularly keep it on the road. The unfortunate part about your car is that many parts are just not available and when they break, you're going to need an early 68-69 2002 to use as a donor car for mechanicals to keep yours running or you will spend a lot of time looking for parts and they could be expensive. Examples are the early style rear axles with fluid in them (no CV joints) and perhaps finding early style single circuit calipers. There just aren't any out there to buy as cores either. Otherwise these are great cars... stock up on spare parts now - your driveshaft has 3 flex couplings and a unique center support bearing. If your rear end goes it may be more economical and safer to take the whole rear end of a 2002 and replace it with yours, along with the driveshaft. Your car has a 4:10 rear end also.

Q- Easest way to defrost the car?

A- Your car was not equipped with rear window defrosters. Keep the windows rolled up, set the heater on defrost and heat and let it warm up a good 15 mins every morning... or scrape by hand.

Q.- Proper way to use the choke on cold mornings?
A. - Trial and error for the right settings, but typically not all the way out except to start it right up, then slowly move towards choke off after 5-10 mins depending on how cold it is.

Q. - What is meant by a 'mechanical clutch'? Is that just another name for a cable operated clutch?
A. 2002s had hydraulic clutches. The early cars like 1602s were not controlled by hydraulics shared with the brake like a 2002. Typically they will give good service.

Q. - Proper method for testing the speedo cable? My speedometer is currently inoperable.
A. - Find another speedometer from early 2002. They should be the same.

Q. - Where should the temp guage sit? Mine sits about 1/4 way up, I'm guessing that's not correct.
A. 1/4 way up from bottom or top? Typically in the middle (3:00) to the 2:00 position is normal on an old radiator. Your radiator is small, so keep it clean and put in fresh fluids, ensure it's 50/50 coolant water. I recomend you use the BMW Blue Coolant available at the dealer. It's low tox.

Q. - How much wind noise is normal at say 55mph? I'm just curious if replacing all the window seals is a futile task.
A. The seals are expensive but replacement is not futile. These cars do have a lot of wind noise compared to the other BMWs you mentioned. Usually if the rubber is good it's that the windows are not adjusted towards the seals properly when fully closed. Your adjustments for that are under the door panels by adjusting either the front or rear window tracks.

- Sources for a 'new' dashboard cover? - NONE. You might try JUSTDASHES in LA as a source to recondition your dash. Be prepared to spend lots of money.

Cute Car ;) ........

I got lots of spare 02 parts

Welcome to the 02 'club'! Nice find in that 1602 you picked up. It's not surprising to me you're driving it a lot vs. your M3s - it's a much more basic, visceral, involved (and plainly fun) experience, that's what we all love about these cars.

Hope you make out well with your few 'anomalies/issues', you're getting the right advice and info...

You can buy a new dash for $1500.

I have also been thinking about putting a later dash in my car. I have even one one already in mint shape for $100.

I have even one one already in mint shape for $100.

if i'm reading this right...you have a 1 piece dash for sale for 100.00...if so, and it's as described, i'll buy it

I have a guy who used to race an 02 and he has had 3 parts cars like this and whole lota stuff to sell. He told me it is mine for $100. Iam not sure if it will fit on there with no modes. One part dash instead of a 3 peice one. Iam going to pick my 4spd trans in a week or so, then I might just buy the dash from him.

Also Canadian dashes dont seem to crack very fast. He he

Car looks great! and Welcome!

Car looks great! and Welcome!


+1, looks pretty clean!