1983 BMW 320i

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Happy_Dan
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2025 5:41 pm
My E21(s): 1983 E21 5 Speed manual

1983 BMW 320i

Post by Happy_Dan »

Greetings.

I am a new member from New Hampshire, USA.

I recently purchased a 1983 320i from a friend of a friend. It has not run for approximately 25 years. The transmission was sold from the car several years ago so I need to find a 5 speed with manual speedo provision. That is a problem for another day as I want to make sure I can get it running first.

I first checked to make sure the engine spun freely, then checked for spark and it has spark so ignition seems to be in order.

Next I pulled fuel injectors and found no fuel from the injectors. I did not hear fuel pump run.
I pulled the internal fuel pump and hooked it to a battery and it does not work at all.

I then removed the external pump and it also is dead.

I looked in the tank and it had quite a bit of corrosion so I pulled both tanks from the car and I am in the process of cleaning and sealing them. I have orders fuel pumps, fuel pressure accumulator and a filter. When I finish the tanks, I will put it all back together and hopefully fuel distribution box will be good otherwise that will be the next project.

While I have the tanks out, I will replace the brake lines to the rear brakes. They are badly corroded so I will replace the hard lines between the two sides as well as the rubber hoses. The drums and shoes are in good shape so I reconditioned all the internal parts to the rear brakes and square that all away before reinstalling the tanks.

That is where I am at this point, hopefully I can get it running and then I will start to think about a transmission. Hopefully I can find one.

The car is in pretty good condition with no serious rust and just need some minor body work and a good polish. The hood needs a respray but not sure I will even do that. My goal for the car is to make a nice reliable driver and have fun with it.

Future plan would be to look at all bushings, control arms, suspension and really get it back to a solid, comfortable ride. I am very much open to advice, tips and tricks, ideas and opinions.

Pictures can be found here:

https://ImageEvent.com/happy_dan/dantoys/1983bmw320i

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Jeroen
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Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
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Re: 1983 BMW 320i

Post by Jeroen »

Once again, welcome here Dan! It is nice to see new members on a regular basis even though most people choose Facebook, Insta and the likes. But on an old school forum you can build a nice archive and you'll be able to find old info again!

Your 320i appears to be in a decent shape indeed and imho you're taking the right steps to get it going again, keeping my fingers crossed for the car to fire up as soon as the fuel system is put back together again... hope that fuel dizzy is not messing things up, perhaps it wants a bit of lube beforehand with our modern day fuels.

Give her a good polish, baltic blue is such a lovely colour! Hope the car will be running soon and that you'll be able to find a 5 speed box!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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nic65
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:12 pm

Re: 1983 BMW 320i

Post by nic65 »

Benvenuto, molto bella la tua 320i
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