Florida Alpine rebuild

[M20Curtis]

Hey all, I picked up my Alpine white car this past summer and was told the motor was good and ready to drop in the car. As you can imagine, it was far from it. The spark plugs had been left out and the motor left outside so all cylinders were full of water and awesome rust! Full rebuild time. I have tried to take as many pictures along the way to document it all. Comments and criticisms are MUCH appreciated as this is my first S14 car I've ever built. Thanks guys!

On our way home:


Home resting next to its big older brother:


Had to add a wing! Why would anyone bondo in the holes?


Before the engine rebuild...nothing was shiny:


First bath, taking over 3 years of dirt off:


Really starting to shine, can't wait to wax it when it runs!

[M20Curtis]

On to going through the given parts and tearing down the motor and lots of the ugly that I found. The motor wouldn't even turn over because the #1 and #4 cylinders were completely rust. Oversized pistons here we come!

Trunk full of goodies, and the car was filled to the ceiling:


Front seats out and to the dumpster, trashed beyond repair:


Carpet cleaned up pretty decent and all of the plastics shined up nicely so far:


Cylinder head off and block coming apart to be rebuilt, this ugly motor's days are numbered, shiny soon:


Other side, nothing pretty to see here:


Head off, cylinders ugly, continue to dismantle...


Front covers removed, trying to take as many reference pictures as possible so I can reassemble flawlessly:


Head off and ready to dismantle and send for a full rebuild:


Buckets soaking in oil after a good cleaning so they can't rust anymore:


Balancer pulley has seen better days and would have to be replaced:


Front bumper off for some much needed R&R while the rest gets rebuilt:


Test fitting this new screamer! Will weld it all up once the motor and rest of the exhaust are installed:

[chutrain]

Patiently....eargerly awaiting more pics. Any specs on the 02?

[M20Curtis]

REBUILD TIME!

Crank and black all cleaned and everything ready to go back together!


Gorgeous new 10.5:1 CP pistons, 94.5mm bore to fit the new motor after the rust was eliminated:


Cylinder head all rebuild, with guides, seals, 3 Angle valve job, etc.:


Head on, front end coming together:


Front covers installed with water pump:


Really starting to look like an S14:


Flange goes to the backside, thanks Jake! One question though, is there no spacer that keeps it in line with the chain, I didn't have one and guess it just floats on its dowel.


Cams in and timed to stock specs:


20 or so revolutions and it all seems to be perfectly spot on, success!


Coming together to soon make sweet music:


S50 tensioner new and ready to upgrade, so much smaller than the S14 one!


Almost complete, oil pans on next!


Found this in a random box, wasn't in any of my labelled bags, any clue where it goes?

[M20Curtis]

The '02 is my always ongoing project and this will fit in perfect in my garage. The '02 is a '72 with M20, turbo, and Haltech management. I'll try and keep this thread awesome!

[Chicco]

M3 rebuild

Very nice job on the rebuild. Another M3 saved, by a true enthusiast. Nice collection including the Turner front bumper on the wall.

Chicco

[archie]

Love seeing people save these awesome cars. Good for you buddy and good luck!

[Davidzm]

+1

[chutrain]

Liking the BMW family collection. That 02 M20T has got to be a beast, especially
considering what one of those weigh.

[88M3]

So which one is more fun to ride/drive the Bike or 2002 pocket rocket! I guess they are both pocket rockets!!!

[GK-E30M3]

Very nice Curtis

[e30LoVeR]

Nice job looks great!!!!!!

[bimmerteam_hu]

Looking great, are those exhaust pipe 2x76mm? Good luck with the rebuild!

[Taper]

new life for another m3

[M20Curtis]

So which one is more fun to ride/drive the Bike or 2002 pocket rocket! I guess they are both pocket rockets!!!

The '02 is a great rocket and really surprises people. I can hang right next to a 600cc sportbike and it really surprises them. The bike on the other hand is like a video game, with 193hp on tap (virtually the same as an E30 M3) in 404lbs, it is way faster than anything I have ever ridden or driven. It's almost too fast in town until you get to open it up on highways or backroads (I mean racetracks).

Thanks for all the comments, I am sure trying to make it a worthy thread for others!