Question on pulling the M54 for a bottom end rebuild

[JC5]

After much heeving and hoeing I'm going to pull the bottom end out for a rebuild. The intake assembly and head are already off. This project started as another project a few weeks ago, and now I found myself rationalizing "since I'm this close, why not the rest of the engine". The poor M54 has 165,000 miles. Of which 30,000+ have been under FI. The project is under a budget. Nothing fancey going on except for already purchased cams and headstuds. I'm alittle nervous about the actually pulling it out of the car.

Any tips, tricks or stuff to be concerned with when pulling the engine?

[Bob]

After much heeving and hoeing I'm going to pull the bottom end out for a rebuild. The intake assembly and head are already off. This project started as another project a few weeks ago, and now I found myself rationalizing "since I'm this close, why not the rest of the engine". The poor M54 has 165,000 miles. Of which 30,000+ have been under FI. The project is under a budget. Nothing fancey going on except for already purchased cams and headstuds. I'm alittle nervous about the actually pulling it out of the car.

Any tips, tricks or stuff to be concerned with when pulling the engine?

should be a piece of cake with the head off, kinda tricky with head and header attached.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Disconnect the driveshaft and the shifter and pull it out as an assembly. Pull off the AC compressor and PS pump first. Pull the radiator so you don't accidentally jam the engine into it.

[JC5]

Pull the trans with the block? Hmmmm was thinking of doing that, along with removing the radiator. I'd like to re-install everything together also; block, head, intake & exhaust manifold, and trans as an assembly.

Is there a good source for the lower end torque specs? The Bentley manual doesn't really cover too much down there.

I'm replacing the oil pump for good measure. What do you think about the replacing harmonic balancer @ $536?

[Bob]

Pull the trans with the block? Hmmmm was thinking of doing that, along with removing the radiator. I'd like to re-install everything together also; block, head, intake & exhaust manifold, and trans as an assembly.

Is there a good source for the lower end torque specs? The Bentley manual doesn't really cover too much down there.

I'm replacing the oil pump for good measure. What do you think about the replacing harmonic balancer @ $536?

Wow$536, I'd forget that, did you damage yours?, You can put the engine in together, but it requires some twisting and jacking to get the oil pan around everything, some patience is good. I've got torque #s for 3 series in my haynes book, not M though, might be the same. 15 ft lbs, for rods and mains plus70 degrees. 22 plus 90 degrees for head bolts, all supposed to be new( which I've never done), crank damper bolt is300ftlbs!!

[JC5]

Not which is stranger the price tag, or the torque number. It's not damaged so I ma skimp here and reuse it.

Gonna take a closer lok tomorrow to see how everything will come out together. God, I would love to reassemble as one unit outside of the car.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

On an E39, even attaching the trans on the car is no big deal.

[JC5]

Yeah there is tons of space in the e39 engine bay with the 6 cylinders compared to the 3 series.