I realize this is a little off topic, but I know some of you BMW guys may have contacts that could help me out with this. I would have gladly posted this in the "For Sale / Wanted Forum" if I thought anyone there could help. But there's nothing in there but powdercoated dubs, neon underbody kits, and Type R badges.

I'm looking for a head for an '88 BMW 528e, aka "the eta head". My fiance's car decided to toss the timing belt last week. One of the intake valves hit the piston hard enough to snap a pair of the rocker arm supports. These supports are part of the cast head itself, so these is little to no hope of repair. I need a head. I'd take used or remanned. I've got the camshaft and all of the rocker arms, so even just a rough head casting itself would do. Stan Gills has a used head for $500, but they can't tell me how many miles are on it... besides, they've annoyed me in the past, and I hate to give them any money.

Actually, now that I think about it, this really is autox related because she was thinking about autoxing the car sometime. I guess this is going to put a damper on that hope . Help save the 528e! Any info is greatly appreciated. Email works or a reply here is great. Thanks guys.

 

Sorry to hear about that. The only contact I know of for sure is Stan Gills. You could try asking Terry at Atlantic Autowerks (350Z) or try Mike at Sports and Imports in Ches. Mike knows alot of people associated with Junk yards. He could find one. Good luck

 

PM me, I can help you out.

 

I checked Ebay. Nothing. Keep a eye out though.

 

Now is the perfect time to put a 325/525is head and ditch that eta head. Good luck. Trip and Jerry both know what they are talking about, listen to them.

 

call terry at atlantic autowerks. 466-1269

 

Thanks for the advise guys. I've been out of town for the last couple of days, so sorry about the delayed response. I'm going to scour the local junkyards tomorrow, and see what I come up with. There actually is an '88 325i head on eBay right now. Which as far as I know, is a direct bolt-on replacement for the '88 528e head. I'd gain six intake valves and some hp probably with that one!

On a side note: the shop that the car's at (Tidewater Import Auto Repair on Jefferson Ave in NN) is asking $700 in labor to do the head install with new belts all around, T-belt tensioner, cam seals, distributor cap and rotor button, radiator and heater hoses, and a new water pump. Does that seem reasonable? I don't know what their hourly rate is, but most Bimmer work is $50 / hr. So that's 14 hours in labor...? With all of the parts included, it's totalling $1250. And that doesn't include the head itself! Which is why I'm trying to find a good used head for cheap. The shop said they could get a "low mileage" head for $750! I was like, "No, I'll find my own head."

 

Um, you sure you want us to know about this. jk

I agree with the others, contact Terry at Atlantic Autowerks. He may be able to help.

 

Update:

I went to U-Wrench-It this morning on the advise of a local who said he had seen an '88 528 there early last week. He said the head was still on it when he saw it last. Sadly, when I got there this morning, the head was gone. I was pissed.

I walked around hoping to stumble across another. No luck. I was about to give up. When I found an '85 325i... head was there. I quickly pulled the valve cover, and everything looked good. I then ditched the timing belt cover and cut the belt. I turned the timing gear with a 1/2" drive socket, and it turned. No clunking! The head was at least functional, so I pulled it. It was greasy as hell from a leaking valve cover gasket, but overall the head appears to be in excellent condition.

I have no idea how many miles are on it, because the gauge cluster had already been stripped. The cylinder walls looked great, and there is no noticable wear on the camshaft lobes. I'm guessing relatively low mileage. I need to swap my 528e camshaft into the 325i head to make it all work. I think I have to ditch the secondary valve springs also. The 528 is only a single spring per valve vs. the 325's double spring setup. I believe the outer springs are the same as the 528's single springs? I don't know what harm or good will come of leaving or removing the secondary springs? Any advise? My other dilema is whether I should disassemble the head, and replace the valve seals... maybe guides? I'd hate to install it, and have it burning oil. I guess I don't really have a choice on this one. Anyone know a good machine shop to do the headwork?

BTW, the head was rigth at $70 from UWI, including the timing gear, cam, and core charges for everything! Beats the hell out of the $750 - $500 I had found so far.

 

Nice find, hope it all works out.