Sorry for my absence!

[elwesso]

As im sure you all have noticed ive not been around nearly as much. Ive been pretty busy, and by pretty busy I mean extremely busy. I am still around I havent been postwhoring like I usually do. If you need anything just get ahold of me I still check NICO regularly.

I do have a small confession to you all. I am now part of the dark side, I bought a BMW....

I picked up a 1984 533i a couple weeks ago. I bought it as a fixer upper as it didnt run for $650. This afternoon, I actually did get it running, as it turns out there were a couple connectors that were swapped and that caused it not to start! Swapped the connectors (sort of lucky) and the damn thing started right up. Mind you the car had been sitting for about a year at least...

Unfortunately, Im reasonably sure the head gasket is blown on it. not really a huge deal, sucks but not nearly as bad as if it were a Q, very doable in the car...

Overall its a really nice car, doesnt have any rust... My plan was to buy it and drive it for the winter so i could park the Q.

Ill take some more pics once I can clean it up, but you'll get this for now.

[maxnix]

I like the G50 with no front plate.

[Jesda]

Thats seriously, ridiculously clean.

[jamesmost]

love it great lines - congratsJames

[AlabamaDan]

I wouldn't have told that Wes.

[elwesso]

The headgasket replacement should begin hopefully on wednesday... w00t.

[maxnix]

The headgasket replacement should begin hopefully on wednesday... w00t.

Be sure to check the head for warpage for if it's the SOHC alloy head on the iron block design, most of the heads warp when over heated.

Millling the head brings its own set of timing problems.

[elwesso]

Those heads actually are (rarely) prone to cracking, so im going to send it to the machine shop soon, have them pressure test it and see what kind of condition its in.

its a nice change to have really cheap parts and something thats ultra easy to work on. half the reason I didnt get it running sooner was because I assumed it was going ot be a PITA to get running.

If the head is cracked I will probably just put the car away and swap a VH into it.

[maxnix]

Those heads actually are (rarely) prone to cracking, so im going to send it to the machine shop soon, have them pressure test it and see what kind of condition it's in.

If the head is cracked I will probably just put the car away and swap a VH into it.

Our 2800 head cracked.

A VH45DE would be a great improvement with very little weight penalty.

[Peterofdevon]

WES!!!

That great! an E28, one the best looking cars on the road. I think it has better lines than the old 6 series.

Speaking of old BMWs I've been pondering an E31 but would have to sell the 540i to make room for it (can never sell the Qs, well perhaps if I find some bonehead selling his BonB 94a with 8K, garaged kept....

God but, evey time I see a minty-mint E28 my head spins.

My best!

Peter

[elwesso]

Im kinda thinking about selling it, if i could get my money back or a little more i'd probably sell it and get a nice e28 that doesnt need a HG... either that, or I'll just make it a winter project which I'm almost inclined to do.

the HG is gonna be a big job, im about 20 mins into it and its not gonna be real easy I dont think...

[Jesda]

If a shop was paid to do the HG, how much do you guesstimate it would cost? $350?

[elwesso]

Im guessing at least $500, the parts are $70 plus the head will have to be sent to a machine shop to have it checked to make sure its not cracked or warped.

I was figuring under $300 for the entire job if I did everything myself. The only caveat is that for $600 (around 1200 total investment) I could sell the car for 2-3 grand.... Or just get my money back now... its a tough call, im gonna wait and see what the bimmer guys say.

[Q451990]

I was wondering about the blue and white logo interloper in your signature line!

Heath

[rydwhite]

Cool little project Wes.

[Haitian_King]

Very nice. Especially for $650.

I'm more of a 7 series man myself. But very nice.

Question, I've always felt that Toyota (Namely Lexus) was the equivalent to the "Dark Side" of the Asian Luxury Imports especially if you're an Infiniti driver. Or is that just me?

[elwesso]

Well, I got the head off yesterday and I got good news and bad news. The good news is the HG isnt blown but the head is cracked....

German cars are certainly reliable outside of cracked heads, head gaskets, and electrical components failing due to age and iffy design...

[maxnix]

The good news is the HG isnt blown but the head is cracked....

Common when overheated.

[ILuvNkdChx]

My plan was to buy it and drive it for the winter so i could park the Q.

My jaw dropped when I read this...then after a second, I read it again realizing it said PARK not PART.

[1990QOwner]

Hey Wes, I'm just currious, does Heinz pay you for to advertise for them? Or do you just like ketchup?