1989 535i. Not as far along as I'd like to be but should be able to finish up tomorrow if I hit it hard.

Got the flywheel, clutch, trans & shifter installed & swapped diff's. No "gotcha's" yet other than a broken exhaust manifold stud.

What remains to be done:

- install driveshaft & guibo
- install exhaust
- swap pedals
- mount clutch reservoir
- install clutch hydraulics & bleed
- diddle with the electrical bits
- test drive

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=916553

good deal gale.

If I'm ever up that way we can swap war stories.

still have the drive shaft, guibo, clutch lines and trans to install, but making progress. Hoping to be done tomorrow.

I was thniking about the top 2 bolts on the bellhousing you were having trouble with. Mine (well, my son's actually) was really hard to get those top bolts off too. We just had them off a year ago when we did a "Winfred" on the A/B clutch packs. They were M8 hex bolts. I ended up machining the taper lead-in off a 1/2" socket so it would engage as much of the bolt head as possible, & pounded it on. We bought all new bolts for the manual. We have a new Ace hardware that has an unbelievable selection of metric bolts. We put grade 10.9 M8's on the top ones with anti-sieze & went easy on the torque. Edit: I think since those to are close to the head, they must get hot & sieze up easily.

Well, I've had my morning coffee & got the shop warmed up. Time to roust the boy out of bed & get back at it.

Lets plan on meeting up some time on one of the CCA tours. We usually do one in the southern part of the state in the spring, the Gila, Ruidoso, etc.

Congrat's on your progress, e34 tourings are cool, especially with a stick.

Cheers, Don

Yeah, those two bolts at the top of the bellhousing were a bear. We (pops and I) ended up using a S-wrench to get back there. We found it was much easier if you can seperate the bellhousing from the trans first, as it gives very easy access to all the bellhousing bolts this way. I'm not sure how it is with that auto trans, though.

hey , does the 5 speed conversion kits at the euro depot have everything you need to do a swap? for a 530i, and if not what else would you need?

hey , does the 5 speed conversion kits at the euro depot have everything you need to do a swap? for a 530i, and if not what else would you need?

Actually, for you, there is another option. Rather than use a 5 speed, like the stock 530 had, why not use a 540 6 speed? The ratios are largely the same, but you get a 6th gear overdrive. Should help with the mileage.

where could i get one of those

where could i get one of those

Off a 540. E39 or E34. Try your local pick-n-pulls. It will cost more, though. (~1000-1500 for just the trans)

I was thniking about the top 2 bolts on the bellhousing you were having trouble with. Mine (well, my son's actually) was really hard to get those top bolts off too. We just had them off a year ago when we did a "Winfred" on the A/B clutch packs. They were M8 hex bolts. I ended up machining the taper lead-in off a 1/2" socket so it would engage as much of the bolt head as possible, & pounded it on. We bought all new bolts for the manual. We have a new Ace hardware that has an unbelievable selection of metric bolts. We put grade 10.9 M8's on the top ones with anti-sieze & went easy on the torque. Edit: I think since those to are close to the head, they must get hot & sieze up easily.

Well, I've had my morning coffee & got the shop warmed up. Time to roust the boy out of bed & get back at it.

Lets plan on meeting up some time on one of the CCA tours. We usually do one in the southern part of the state in the spring, the Gila, Ruidoso, etc.

Congrat's on your progress, e34 tourings are cool, especially with a stick.

Cheers, Don


LOOKS LIKE i will be up your way TODAY, possibly.
I ordered the wrong flywheel bolts, and my choices are rent a car for 5 days and order them for 20-30 shipped (about $200-$250)... or drive to ABQ today and get them. ($ about 80 bucks in gas and $20 parts, 8 hours in the car round trip.
F'ing bmw ep doesn;'t even have one in stock, and can't get them till friday if i special order them.

sounds like a cool project...