BMW copied the Alusil blocks Porsche used on the 928 and didn't make a very good job of it.
Bore scoring on Porsche engines is a well known problem on past and present Porsche engines........its not been fixed
 
I will do a compression test after 500 miles to check internal condition,

Hopefully it won't fall apart but from what i'm reading above i won't be not holding my breath!
 
I wouldn't be over concerned about not having all the cylinders fitted with liners, i think my only concern would be if you used the original rings designed for Alusil, but that may not be a problem.
The 4.4 engine i have that has 7 bad cylinders I would say the failure was down to poor maintenance and the oil ways being compromised.
 
I wouldn't be over concerned about not having all the cylinders fitted with liners, i think my only concern would be if you used the original rings designed for Alusil, but that may not be a problem.
The 4.4 engine i have that has 7 bad cylinders I would say the failure was down to poor maintenance and the oil ways being compromised.

Yes i'm not too worried, but i'll keep my eye on it anyway! :D

I'll be dropping the oil and filter in a few days to check for bearing material, hopefully it won't eat itself alive.

TBH i wasn't too thrilled about re-using the bearings. :rolleyes::D
 
as someone that has machined a lot of v8 blocks it would be a concern to me, as 6 bores now have the tension of the liners and 2 dont,its not unkown for wear to be caused by liner/bore distorting at higher temps,but im no expert with that block so the proof will be in the pudding,and it will be interesting to see how you get on
 
as someone that has machined a lot of v8 blocks it would be a concern to me, as 6 bores now have the tension of the liners and 2 dont,its not unkown for wear to be caused by liner/bore distorting at higher temps,but im no expert with that block so the proof will be in the pudding,and it will be interesting to see how you get on

Yes the proof will be in the eating.

if it falls apart I will report back! ;)

;)
 
it will be interesting for sure, I have no experience other than the blocks in my garage that i am yet to tackle the machining of and so I will interested in the outcome and I have no idea about the fitting of steel liners other than what i have researched and those engines had the complete set changed probably for the reasons that JM has pointed out and the fact that because the bores are so close together the tops of the liners have flatted sides to butt up to the liner next to it.
 
Well i've heard her today, and she runs sweet!!

Apart from a sticking lifter.

We'll be pulling cam covers tomorrow.

We were suspect of two and sure enough we can hear 'em.

When you give her some wellie though, fookin 'ell the noise is to dye for. ;)

I want one..

Wow they're comfy ;)

Now i've caught the l322 bug..

Fook me. ;)

R29NfbZl.jpg


fXEtPj7l.jpg


Ah i can dream!!
 
Last edited:
Get one LPG converted iv just done 180miles round town on £47 of lpg will be all motorway tomorrow so expecting 220ish from tonights fill up.
 
Ok..

Once she was running there was a pronounced tapping coming from the rear of the motor..

Pulled her apart..

I1JMfd5l.jpg


rfmD9mel.jpg


Once she was apart it was apparent there wasn't any oil getting to to cam bearings/journals, luckily it was caught just in time and the journals were polished and re lubed..

BZ04QqEl.jpg


This piece of steel sits on top of the cams, it is hollow and full of holes, it feeds the cam and journals oil.

After blowing a good 1/2 a litre of parts cleaner though it i managed to dislodge a good amount of varnish and sludge.


The tappets were ok apart form 2 which were totally dead, luckily there were some new ones available and they slotted right in!



Almost there..

LNQRRKbl.jpg



I got the vanos and cam sprockets on and turned her over, now there is oil feeding to the cams.

yippie!!


This is quite an idiotic design on BMW's part..

If you were to neglect a few oil changes and have some sludge build up, and it found its way and blocked this rail then you're in the shyte!!

I'll get her together proper next week!
 
I couldn’t believe oil got through that rail, I stripped mine down and took all the HVAs apart and even stripped down the non return valves, all 32 of them. There is a tiny hole in the cam bearing cap next to the stud that the rail bolts to and mine weren’t blocked but I’m surprised they weren’t .
Are the rails handed or biased which way around ? I makes mine up to go back in the same way but I don’t think I needed to.
I also checked the bearing clearances with plastigauge which were all fine
 
I couldn’t believe oil got through that rail, I stripped mine down and took all the HVAs apart and even stripped down the non return valves, all 32 of them. There is a tiny hole in the cam bearing cap next to the stud that the rail bolts to and mine weren’t blocked but I’m surprised they weren’t .
Are the rails handed or biased which way around ? I makes mine up to go back in the same way but I don’t think I needed to.

Yes i pulled them apart aswell just neglected to clean those rails, that ultimately bit me, this is an interesting engine to say the least! ;)

But its a BMW lump so what can ya expect! ;)
 

Similar threads