Boxerworks.com

MaxBMW shows: "11 14 1 250 16 TIMING CASE COVER (to 09/75)", which leads me to believe that /5 and /6 covers are the same till the cam seal size changed.

So either your cover is warped or the crank is incorrectly spaced (either wrong thrusts or dirt in behind them not allowing one of then to not seat).

Probably talking right out my ass here, BUT (here I go!)

Is there a chance that endplay is set correctly, with a thickish thrust insert on the inside of the case and a thinnish one on the flywheel side? And if that's the situation, perhaps they could be switched to gain the micron or two clearance you need on the timing cover?

melville wrote:Probably talking right out my ass here, BUT (here I go!)

Is there a chance that endplay is set correctly, with a thickish thrust insert on the inside of the case and a thinnish one on the flywheel side? And if that's the situation, perhaps they could be switched to gain the micron or two clearance you need on the timing cover?

Hm, it is exactly for that reason that I had a shop doing the work. The answer to your question/suggestion is ... (as always) ... 42.

I found the first real error: the clearance between camshaft front bearing carrier and sprocket is supposed to be 0.004", I found it to be 0.016. I will correct that.

Another tiny tidbit of information: I could not replicate yesterdays binding. The crankshaft turns but requires some force. Maybe normal as these parts are all new or in spec so no normal wear and tear happened yet. Without the timing cover on, it turns easy. The thrust washer is about 0.045 thick and in place between crankshaft and rear part of engine housing.

Stephen

I thought about the thrust washers causing the problem, but then I realised that the old 'did you block the crank'? blows that theory.

What about the bearing itself - there is a bit of counterfeit junk around, and genuine BMW stuff can be worse than the junk.