AWD E36 BMW

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

The way the Exhausts laid out probably not needed at all but they’re a nice touch!

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That’s enough for today, need more thinking time.

I had to disassemble the entire front end as it’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube..

I bolted the front diff back in then worked out a way to support the pinion end to keep the angles correct, this allowed me to remove the BMW crossmember.

It’s all getting a bit crowded so it’s looking like it’ll be a fabricated bolt in crossmember instead of the box tubing one I had planned on..

 

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

It’s amazing how quickly the room evaporates, and that’s without having the complication of a front diff…

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Yep I’d have acres of left over space without the Diff with the engine set back as far as it is..

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Just been down staring at the underneath of the BMW, I “think” I have a workable idea for the Rack/Diff mount crossmember, I’ll do it out of the 25x25x1.6mm box tubing, it’ll be a bit of a space frame construction with some holey gussets.. will make a start soon as I’m able!

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

And home, Bendigo materials run for a change, shoulder and arm are a bit sore but nothing like it has been..

Gave the Tonner a bit of a treat seeing it’s 3.5K overdue for a service..

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

That’s good news, for a moment there it was looking like Cav would finish his before yours ha ha.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

LOL always a chance Gary!

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Went into the village to mail a parcel and noticed the front tyres on the Tonner were down to the wear indicators, can’t afford a new set so am using my spare spare set of semi slicks..

 

After I did the wheels on the Tonner I spent some time on the lathe making the front diff/rack mounts, I was going to through bolt them and use nuts and washers but given the available space I figured it would be better to drill and tap them and use 2 bolts.

I bought some new Trefolex to replace my 100 year old can that had dried out then got lost in the move here 9 years ago, forgotten how good this shit is, 10mm X 1.5 hole 30mm deep in one pass 15 times!

 

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Looks like I need to get me some Trefolex

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

Lol I have like 5 x500ml tubs of it at home. If only I knew

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

I didn’t know you could still buy it it’s really old school!

Couldn’t find my old tin so one of my trips to Bendigo I asked one of my suppliers if he had anything like it.. 

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Decided to go down and do a bit, maybe I should hurt myself and have 5 weeks off more often, I seem to have been possessed by someone that can actually weld in the break!

 

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Any progress is good progress!!  I am no welder, but for me its def something you have to be in the right mood for.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Long day was long, finished up a couple of hours ago, when I took some pics I noticed I’d screwed the pooch in the front bolts… DOH.

As I was working underneath I hadn’t spotted they were in the way of the pass side CV, figured out an easy fix but needed a long drill to be able to do it, couldn’t find one the size I needed so made one..

Finished up again and my OCD kicked in, it didn’t look right so I did the driver side as well..

Ignore the 3rd brace it’s just a fixture holding the rack in place..

[MicksParticipant View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2019 Posts: 1 773]

As you say, there’s a lot going on in that front end, looking neat all the same. 

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Lot more now Mick ;)

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Another longer one than expected…

Got all the brackets sorted then welded it all up, stupidly skipped making a jig to simulate the mounts in the car and of course the ends sucked in 10mm so nothing lined up… DOH

Broke out the 3M length of 3″stainless pipe and used some leverage to cold set it back to where it started (guess why I have select long bits of big pipe, might be I’ve made this mistake before)

My cunning plan for the adjustable ride height hit a snag, I can move the rack down 25mm before it hits the pipes on the mount, DOH x2, I’ll see how it goes, + side is it gives me a roll centre adjustment, you can see the spacer setup in one of the pics.

Done now so I’m pretty happy, on to the next bit during the week, might have a day or so off now.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Shit you have some skills mate, looking great.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Thanks Gary, that’s the last of the really difficult bits done, rest is just time!

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Late start it was cold this morning, Figured it was time to tackle a job I’ve been putting off since I started this build, the cutouts in the chassis rails for the axles… Shit job was shit but at least it’s started.

 

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Looks good.  Excuse my ignorance but so this part doesn’t move in releaton to the chassis I assume?

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