Blue Betty

[Tomk]

Ok so I thought I’d start a thread.
Spent the last year or so working to get her back on the road.

Bought March 23, never bought a BMW with full service history and low miles (113,000). Well that bit me in the arse.

most recent photo added

 

[Tomk]

When I first got the Z3 home. There was the odd issue like leaking rocker gasket and usual older BMW plastic failures. And the radio only played classic fm.

then it started smoking a little, until finally the head gasket failed. No over heat, no mayonnaise on filler cap, just oil in the radiator.

I was gutted, one of the reasons I wanted a Z3 was my mum had had a blue one for years, and if she ever had the radio on, she would only ever play classic fm

 

[Tomk]

Not to be defeated, or the money to scrap and start again. I decided it was time to find a replacement engine….

 

[Tomk]

A replacement engine was found and so the process began. I picked up a bare unit, with a m50 manifold thrown in. Out with the old.

 

[Tomk]

Swopping parts over concluded who ever had serviced this car hadn’t replaced a few bits. Reckon that might be the original thermostat. Not sure about water pump as it was a metal type.

 

[Andyboy]

R registration might still be the original Nikasil block.

Even so, the scrap engine might have a value.

 

[Tomk]

it’s got the tag on the block, but it is a possible that it’s nikasal issue.

toying with the idea of re-building it in the future….

cheers

R registration might still be the original Nikasil block.

Even so, the scrap engine might have a value.

 

[Tomk]

So the replacement engine went in. New water pump, thermostat, belt, viscus fan, new clutch, thrust bearing slave cylinder etc.

Had to replace power steering pipe but that for later on…

 

[t-tony]

Look at that lovely clean floor!

Tony.

 

[Tomk]

Look at that lovely clean floor!

Tony.

Not mine, have a very generous friend.

 

[Tomk]

Look at that lovely clean floor!

Tony.

and wasn’t by the time I’d finished 🫢