Project e23 B9 build - update 11/25/19

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1st 5er
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by 1st 5er »

:wave:

Lookin' good.


Glad you found something George can do other than flip burgers.
RoyW
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by RoyW »

cek wrote:Good guys. All around.

Glad to see that NSX is still there under cover waiting for me to come pick up someday.
Come on out and take her for a spin... you be buying one for sure after that experience :) Planning another BBQ at the Bahn later in the Summer or early Fall... perfect time for a trip East :)

-RoyW
Chimi-Changa
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by Chimi-Changa »

Nice Pull!

Look forward to the summer party already
cek
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by cek »

RoyW wrote:
cek wrote:Good guys. All around.

Glad to see that NSX is still there under cover waiting for me to come pick up someday.
Come on out and take her for a spin... you be buying one for sure after that experience :) Planning another BBQ at the Bahn later in the Summer or early Fall... perfect time for a trip East :)

-RoyW
Oh, I don't need any more motivation. Remember you already let me drive it?
Pavel
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by Pavel »

:rockon: glad i could be of assistance.. remotely.
RoyW
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Location: Albany, NY

Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by RoyW »

Over the past 12 weeks the B9 engine (Alpina engine #3449) has been in re-build mode with custom pistons being made, crankshaft machined & balanced, block honed, new bottom-end components, complete head re-build, new timing components, ancillary parts cleaned and painted, then all was assembled, sealed & oiled, etc., etc. In addition the gearbox was re-freshed, tranny fluid changed, and a new clutch installed. My friend Steve has managed this process, worked with the involved subs, e.g., Wiseco, machine shop, VSR, etc., then he assembled the engine. This past Tuesday the “new” engine (with tranny) was transported to the AutoBahn and we installed it in the car…. things went well with no real issues. There is a lot more to do prior to starting her up… but at least for now the engine is in place and it’s on to the next set of tasks. I have a long parts list to source from either the parts car; other used/re-furbished sources; or buy new. No date has been set for the next wrench session, but I’m guessing Sept. after body and paint, which is planned for Summer?

After we completed Tuesday's engine install, Steve, pretty much single-handedly, tackled the removal of the badly cracked dash (I have a new replacement one), then the HVAC controls and the heater box, (needs re-building). I was busy bagging and tagging fasteners & parts and finding and handing off the necessary tools to Steve… I felt like a nurse in the OR :), … anyway, what a nightmare! The e28 dash on Project Sepang was far easier to remove! And, as for the HVAC controls and heater box, there was some damage to the controls frame and a couple un-explained items in the rats-nest of wiring that seemed out of place (we think), probably caused by a radio swap with additional stereo wiring from some past owner? The removal of the blower assembly and then the HVAC box itself was a real PITA… not German engineering at its finest IMO. I can’t imagine how challenging it will be to re-install all of this after Pavel re-builds the box and controls and returns all to me (you are the man, Pavel!)… but, that’s a ways down the road :)

So, that’s it for now. I’m hoping to get the car up to VSR for body & paint work in the near future (July?)… working on that schedule as we speak. Then we will work on re-assembly of the car inside and out, and of course completion of the driveline and all mechanicals… not the ideal sequence of events, but it is dependent on the availability and schedules of the many great resources contributing to this build.

Here are some pictures of the past 3 months work, somewhat in order of completion.

-RoyW

Image20180516_180034 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180519_092947_006 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180519_104622 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180526_161217 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180527_161148 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180527_162226 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180603_092926 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Image20180526_163743 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060674 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060678 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060685 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060691 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060696 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060701 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060703 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060704 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Last edited by RoyW on Aug 03, 2018 1:46 PM, edited 1 time in total.
TurboE28
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 06/08/18

Post by TurboE28 »

Awesome!!
cek
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 06/08/18

Post by cek »

I never tire of engine build prOn. Thanks for sharing Ron.

That period where the built engine has been installed, bit you can't start yet is super nerve wracking for me. Don't forget to put oil in. I have a buddy who had a long 'installed but not run' period and he forgot he didn't put oil in. Sad, sad story.
gray635
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 06/08/18

Post by gray635 »

Roy:

Great to see you again at Vintage this year in the Sepang car! I continue to follow this build thread with much interest. Amazing stuff. Top work. :shock:

Regards,
Mike
RoyW
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Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Albany, NY

Re: Project e23 B9 update - 06/08/18

Post by RoyW »

Slow but sure progress on the B9 this past month.... onward and upward! :)

- cleaned up more surface rust in a few spots;
- cleaned up and painted inside of rear valance;
- removed badges from trunk lid;
- had injectors serviced;
- re-finished wood trim from glove box (dash was removed last month);
- prepped valve cover for paint;
- and, most importantly, brought the B9 up to VSR last week for Phase 1 of body & paint work, namely corrosion repair.

Expect to get the car back in a few weeks, as I'm hosting a wrenchfest weekend (Steve, George, Aaron, Pavel, Jim, etc.) just after Labor Day, where much of the mechanical work yet to be done will commence. The car will then go back to VSR for Phase 2 , i.e, final paint prep and paint, sometime after we get it put back together, mechanically speaking (not trim or interior, etc.). So, maybe late in the year or early 2019 depending upon VSR schedule? This way we aren't working on a freshly painted car, but at least all the corrosion will be repaired on the body so when it's hopefully running, it can then be painted. After that the interior, dash, windshield, trim, probably exhaust, and other items can be completed. New target for completion is Vintage 2019. :)

Here are a few pics of the completed tasks referenced above.

-RoyW

ImageP1060770 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060769 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060787 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060789 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060790 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060774 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060777 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060778 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060785 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060786 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060791 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060792 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060797 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060793 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageB9 at VSR for corrosion repair 2 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageB9 at VSR for corrosion repair 3 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageB9 at VSR for corrosion repair 1 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
RoyW
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 07/31/18

Post by RoyW »

Over the past 3 weeks the B9 has been up at VSR having all the corrosion issues addressed… and there was much more than expected and first seen… but, when you start taking panels off and digging into bad spots there are always new discoveries :cry: Issues were addressed on both front fenders, all 4 doors, trunk edge areas, trunk lid, rear quarter panels, spare tire well, gas pedal at floor, front footwell corners, ends of rockers front and rear, etc., etc. But after many, many hours (did I say many?:) of quality VSR labor and materials, all is resolved and after the next few months of mechanical work getting her put back together and hopefully running, she’ll go back for paint prep and paint, and then back home for finally assembly (he said optimistically) :)

Here are a bunch of pictures of the bodywork while the B9 was up at VSR. She is now back in the AutoBahn where major work will commence the weekend after next… meanwhile I’m cleaning parts (old ones), assess those parts, ordering needed items, cannibalizing the parts car, trying to find those that are NLA, and organizing and labeling everything for the upcoming re-build.

ImageP1060801 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060802 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060803 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060804 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060805 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060806 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060829 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060830 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060831 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060832 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060833 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060835 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060836 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060837 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060838 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060839 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060841 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060851 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060852 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060853 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060854 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Adam W in MN
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Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by Adam W in MN »

Wow that's a lot of body repair, but keep at it Roy! I can't wait to see the finished car.
1st 5er
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Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by 1st 5er »

How are/were the brake lines?
I only ask due to recently having to retire an 87 is due to brake line failure due to rust..
Foonfer
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Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by Foonfer »

Not sure how I had missed this thread, it is nothing short of amazing.

I know I sometimes sound like a broken vinyl and that we are talking rarefied Alpina-ese here, so please don't take this as an insult but- BUT- Never fails to AMAZE me how Style 29 wheels, a design which surfaced long after the E12-E23-E24-E28 were phased out, can and still looks like it could have been intended for these body styles. They look SO GOOD on these cars.

Love this effort. Not only because of the car itself (which would warrant a lot of attention on its own) but also because I'm not entirely sure what does it take. Certainly takes time, space, money and skill... but it also requires friends, a modicum of marital comprehension, and I guess laser focus on a goal. Whatever it is, I salute you.
RoyW
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Location: Albany, NY

Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by RoyW »

1st 5er wrote:How are/were the brake lines?
I only ask due to recently having to retire an 87 is due to brake line failure due to rust..
The hard brake lines show corrosion, but not to the extent of needing replacement (not yet anyway) I had VSR take a look as well and they agreed they were serviceable.

-RoyW
RoyW
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Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by RoyW »

Foonfer wrote:Not sure how I had missed this thread, it is nothing short of amazing.

I know I sometimes sound like a broken vinyl and that we are talking rarefied Alpina-ese here, so please don't take this as an insult but- BUT- Never fails to AMAZE me how Style 29 wheels, a design which surfaced long after the E12-E23-E24-E28 were phased out, can and still looks like it could have been intended for these body styles. They look SO GOOD on these cars.

Love this effort. Not only because of the car itself (which would warrant a lot of attention on its own) but also because I'm not entirely sure what does it take. Certainly takes time, space, money and skill... but it also requires friends, a modicum of marital comprehension, and I guess laser focus on a goal. Whatever it is, I salute you.
Thanks. You hit the nail on the head regarding what it takes... also, a little crazy and vintage BMW sickness to boot :)
Pavel
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Re: Project e23 B9 update - 04/30/18

Post by Pavel »

RoyW wrote: ImageP1060703 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Shipping back to you, tomorrow.

Image

Image
RoyW
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Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by RoyW »

All ready for this weekend's wrenchfest and BBQ.... B9 in position; tools ready; parts cleaned (or new), sorted, labelled, and ready for install :) Hoping to make some good progress with engine accessories, wiring harness, driveline, brakes, HVAC box, etc. Plus lots of good food, beer, and car talk with great e28 friends. Stay tuned! :)

-RoyW

ImageP1060890 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060886 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060887 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060888 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060889 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060885 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
1st 5er
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Re: Project e23 B9 build update - 08/26/18

Post by 1st 5er »

RoyW wrote:All ready for this weekend's... food, beer, and car talk with great e28 friends. Stay tuned! :)

-RoyW
I know you'll have great success with that group of knuckleheads.
Sorry I'm not amongst them there, but will join in the :beer: .

Y'all ENJOY!!!
Nebraska_e28
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Re: Project e23 B9 build - update 09/07/18

Post by Nebraska_e28 »

:oops: Sorry I can't make it, but will be there in e23 spirit!
Adam W in MN
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Re: Project e23 B9 build - update 09/07/18

Post by Adam W in MN »

Just like I said over in cek's S54 thread, I enjoy seeing the neatly stacked clear plastic bins with parts and labeling ready for install. There is so much thoroughness going on with this project!
RoyW
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Re: Project e23 B9 build - update 09/07/18

Post by RoyW »

Spent a couple excellent days with some Mye28ers this past weekend as we had a combo Wrenchfest/BBQ at my house and AutoBahn. Most came on Saturday, but several were here for a long weekend. We may some real progress on the B9 as summarized below…. But first, many, many thanks to all that participated, i.e., George, Aaron, Steve, Pavel, Jim, Fikret, Jamie, Ben, Micah, and Mike. Lots of laughs, car talk, and accomplishments, include swapping out a windshield on Jim’s euro 520i; installing a SuperSprint muffler, seat belt, and numerous other adjustments on Jamie’s Hartge e28 tribute car (I’ll count on others to add a couple pics of Jamie’s car that arrived with no door cards, no dash (dangling cluster), no seat belts, no muffler, and loose front caliper and loose driveshaft-to-diff connection)… we’d have been bailing him out if he’d been stopped by the cops on the way over!!

On the B9 we did the following: installed re-built wiring harness, re-built starter, intake manifold with re-freshed injectors, new fuel lines, power steering pump, new brake bomb, new slave clutch, new water valve, new overflow tank, numerous new hoses, fan, front sway bar, new e-brake cables, freshly balanced driveshaft, new soft brake lines, hard brake lines, re-build and partial install of HVAC box (thanks Pavel), front sound deadening material swap from parts car, etc., etc. Special thanks to George for all the wire-wheeling, sanding, and painting on various parts and doing more tearing in to the parts car, with Pavel's help, for HVAC parts, etc., etc. :)

During this session we also discovered a number of parts that are needed and new tasks that requiring attention: including: e-brake re-build kit, new outside bushings for the re-built alternator, some additional hoses, expansion valve, and a number of other items.

We went to install the front brake calipers, but discovered that the calipers wouldn’t properly clear the new 735 rotors that were already installed. Ben did a little research and determined that we had 733 calipers and not the proper 735/745 ones that should be there…. replacements will be on the way, as Ben has some and a barter for some e28 parts I had was negotiated on the spot. :D Thanks Ben!

Here are a bunch of pics from the 2018 Wrenchfest/BBQ

-RoyW

ImageP1060891 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060892 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060901 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060903 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060904 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060909 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060919 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060907 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060910 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060921 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060925 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060915 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060927 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060930 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060936 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060937 by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060923 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060932 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
ImageP1060933 (1) by Roy Wicklund, on Flickr
Last edited by RoyW on Sep 11, 2018 2:23 PM, edited 1 time in total.
cek
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Re: Project e23 B9 build - update 09/10/18

Post by cek »

I can't believe you trusted those guys to touch your car. Shows remarkably poor judgement.

:laugh:
Pavel
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Re: Project e23 B9 build - update 09/10/18

Post by Pavel »

Man the map on my Second Bulgarian Empire shirt is really stretched on the south side.

Roy, thanks for the hospitality and the amazing weekend with the guys. George was instrumental, per usual. The TSA agent that searched my bag, asked me if I am bringing a whole car in pieces on the plane. I proceeded to tell him that I am a travelling BMW restorer :roll: he told me he worked in the automotive industry for 25 years. Good times.

I started here (thank god for parts cars, or we would have been hosed)

Image

And ended up with double trouble

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Meanwhile

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That compressor, I am still laughing :laugh: :rofl:

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I will be back for more... promise

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cek wrote:I can't believe you trusted those guys to touch your car. Shows remarkably poor judgement.

:laugh:
Does that mean no CEKFest?
ahab
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Re: Project e23 B9 build - update 09/10/18

Post by ahab »

Great time Roy. I'm happy to contribute and the hospitality is over the top. Looking forward to the next get together for sure.

I love a crack free dash. Here's Jamie's lightweight Hartge tribute in progress. Wait, no, it's the B9. No, on second thought it is what Jamie drove out. Roy was right, had he been pulled over there would have been problems. It probably would have gone something like "license and WHAT THE FUCK? Step out of the, um, car??? Sir!"

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