My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

[Atle_323i]

the old school blue-greenish stuff

Thanks, Blue/green ordered

[Jeroen]

[Atle_323i]

Slowly and steady progress. I didn´t know that it would take so many hours to fit all the parts back again, but time is flying.
I´ve been working 1 day pr. week, so it takes time to finish it all.





This doesn´t fit very well, even it is original reproduction.
















320i rear, going to convert it to 323i


Stripping the 320i from the plate, and painting it matt black.


Test fitting the 323i, looking good.


Not blue anymore.




Forgot to take the final picture when it´s more black than here.


Ready for the engine...

[Jeroen]

There's always something and especially BMW's current reproductions are of horrible quality, but overall things look great again, thanks for the extensive photo report! But eh, are you re using these old fuel hoses?

[Atle_323i]

There's always something and especially BMW's current reproductions are of horrible quality, but overall things look great again, thanks for the extensive photo report! But eh, are you re using these old fuel hoses?

The fuel hoses will be replaced with new ones, just using the old until I put the engine in. They are not old, only 1 year, but look horrible now.

[Wilmo]

If you are thinking about 3rd party hose, apply high pressure hoses where needed... Sometimes normal Gates hose is used as pressure hose and those will fail pretty soon.

[Atle_323i]

If you are thinking about 3rd party hose, apply high pressure hoses where needed... Sometimes normal Gates hose is used as pressure hose and those will fail pretty soon.

New hoses from BMW.

[Jeroen]

[Atle_323i]

Wiring is 95% done, just need to figure out a few minor things, and do the rest when engine is in.

Interior / dash is 99% done, just few minor things to install after gearbox/engine is in.

Headlight, done with conversion to single headlamps. I had to install a relay to break the low beam lights when using high beam, to avoid both being on at the same time.

Next week I will bring the engine and gearbox to the garage, and start the 127 timing belt conversion, and then it´s time for fitting the engine.

[Jeroen]

Nice to see things all fresh!

[Atle_323i]

Nice to see things all fresh!

It so nice to install parts that I have refurbished, using new bolts and nuts, it all looks so shiny. It's like getting a brand new car

All the effort and time spendt on stripping parts, painting and sanding is now paying off.

[Jeroen]

Damn right! Time to enjoy the fruits of those efforts!

[nic65]

Headlight, done with conversion to single headlamps. I had to install a relay to break the low beam lights when using high beam, to avoid both being on at the same time.

the fuse box has a different connection, I simply modified mine to have the 4 lights on

[Atle_323i]

Headlight, done with conversion to single headlamps. I had to install a relay to break the low beam lights when using high beam, to avoid both being on at the same time.

the fuse box has a different connection, I simply modified mine to have the 4 lights on

I want to keep the fusebox original, and the wiring as original as possible that is why I just used the original headlight connector to route the 12v
through the relay, because if I want to install dual headlamps, it will be plug and play.

[Atle_323i]

Finally the engine is now ready for installing into the engine bay.

Changed the timing sprockets to E30, to have 127 tooth system.
Installing the gearbox, had to make an alingment tool, worked just fine.

Next to put the engine in















Ready for the new timing belt...






Homemade alignment tool