Head Gasket

[e30320i]

Hi guys,

On a particularly hot day, drving aobut 120km/h on the freeway i noticed a lot of smoke pouring from under the bonnet. Sure enough, it seems my waterpump failed and then the gasket went when the car overheated. I didn't notice it as i was on teh phone at the time.

I'm considering putting a different engine in as i don't see the point in spending similar amounts on a gasket when i can have a bit more power.

It's an '88 e30 320i coupe with man transmission.

I've been reading that the engines from e36 fit quite easily according to some of the posts but i just want to know how easy. And if i was to go for an e30 325i engine, how hard would that be. I was considering a e36 325i engine at the moment. What parts(besides the block) would i need to do the swap? eg do i need new diff, geaerbox etc ? computer etc etc? Please let me know as much detail as you can. I really need you help.

Thanks in advance

[87 325iS]

I don't know where you're shopping but head gaskets are like $20-$30

[e30320i]

Originally posted by 87 325iS@Nov 29 2004, 09:42 AM
I don't know where you're shopping but head gaskets are like $20-$30

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The gasket is cheap, it's taking the motor apart that's the trouble. I don't know how to do it myself, bmw wants minimum of $1200 which seems the going rate at the moment....

[jaymz]

???buy a bently manual and do it your self,,,its not brain surgery,,and definatly not worth letting the car sit and "wait" for some unseen engine swap..which in the end would cost you thousands more then paying someone to do the head

yes you would need a new computer(about 2000$ brand new),,,different motor mounts,,some custom fabing for exaust,,ect,,ect,,ect it would probly end up costing you at least 4000$,,i say just fork out the cash for bmw to do the head,,or better yet buy a 30$ bently manual 20$ gasket 20$ head bolts and do it your dam self,,if you can research engine swaps, then im sure you can research the much easier subject of head gasket replacement