Operation Hartge Jr. (Dirty Priest)

[Chimi-Changa]

Front struts out for rebuild: new bearings, mounts, shocks, etc



Looks like the fronts had these KYB units in them:



Pulled all the injectors to have them rebuilt after the fuel delivery issues had previously. I found these low impedance injectors at Five-0 injector. I sent them off to Marren injection in CT for rebuild and was surprised to learn that one was completely broken on the inside, and other was so out of spec it could have burned my piston. Looks like I bought rebuilt ( some other type)/ modified injector that was blasted, painted, and clear coated to look new. I had to buy two more rebuilt injectors from Marren to make a working set, and will replace the other 4 ASAP. I will not do any future business, nor recommend Five-O injector.



In happier news.... The Interior came in from Ivo. I was so happy to see it, I gave it a big hug.



This is a factory e28 hounds tooth European manual sport interior out of a 520i #0262.
The first color area I saw was under the rear seat and looks like they used the tan hounds tooth material for backing, etc.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Nice! That's going to look fantastic.

[63Westy]

Hi Jamie,
It's you local friend Todd. Finally registered! Great to see your progress. Let me know if you need another set of hands. Inspiring me to get my 535is out of its garage slumber.

[Chimi-Changa]

Thanks for the offer Todd, it would be great to see you in the WB sometime and can checkout firsthand. Plus seeing your sweet Zinno car is always a treat.

getting things ready for front suspension refresh- tone ABS rings off the new bearings, and strut tubes and springs back from fresh P coat







Now it's really getting fun. checking the floorboards thoroughly, it looks like some water was able to get under the factory "shingle" asphalt style insulation layers on the floor. Removed most of the rear ones, and the passenger area- and glad i did, looks like water had been trapped under there before. Also where the front passenger left corner where the heater box connections are. Now, will treat and refinish- and look for some nice spray in insulation to use on the floors ( Lizard Skin, etc). So far, I have not pulled up the driver's area and still deciding if should just go all "whole hog" here...





Coil wire looks like it will burn a hole right through the radiator shroud- which seems to be buckled and bowing away from the front. When I press on it flat, it would be ok- need to make sure I have the right shroud, and maybe look into trimming it on the bottom to have it sit more flat...

[marek]

Coil wire looks like it will burn a hole right through the radiator shroud- which seems to be buckled and bowing away from the front. When I press on it flat, it would be ok- need to make sure I have the right shroud, and maybe look into trimming it on the bottom to have it sit more flat...

Swap the wire. Put the straight end on the coil and the 90° connector on the coil. It'll fix your clearance issue

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

That wire should fit between the two center ones, oriented toward the rear. Have you tried that?

[Chimi-Changa]

Thanks for both idea's Gents! Surprisingly, the 90 degree end is too fat to nestle in between the two closest wires. If this works, might be the solution for the moment:



Did a little more cleaning getting ready for the suspension, before and after, still using the LemonSimpleGreen stuff. Was able to put the front struts together, and in the car. Excited to have the car on the ground with the suspension and bearings done, overnight looks like it settled about 1/2" or so, this morning it was just under 26" to fender in the front. Bav Auto has the ATE slotted rotors on sale, so included those. Sway bars off to p coat.













Started with this:



Original spring ride height. and now. It's about a tight two fingers up front.

[Pavel]

TexFest X

[Nebraska_e28]

Doooo dat shiiiit! Texas or bust!

[Chimi-Changa]

Update time!

Slow but sure progress in the driveway. I was able to finally sort the exhaust system using the Tubular made "track pipes" to the Supersprint resonator. Big shoutout to Ahab, his insight has been invaluable. Tubular was able to make me a cuff section that fit into one side, and still allowed the right tension, and fit.



So its all fitting together like this, loose to loose ( flange) and fixed to fixed. ( I originally thought it was the other way around)





Resonator on finally:


While back there I installed the rear anti-sway bar. Not reinforced yet:





back to the floorboards, was able to treat the floor with some 3M products found with online research, then started cleaning the carpet with our homeowner carpet cleaner. This was my first time using the hand tool part, so ended up doing it a few times until I had the carpet clean and soft.





man there was some nasty stuff coming up



Rear parcel / shade shelf painted and installed ( HiTech carpet paint)







Color sanded the sides, big difference! ( hard to tell in pictures)



Took for a little spin, first non-driveway picture



Hartge momo wiper in, and working. ( Thanks Friend down under) Might be better if I had a straight wiper arm but this one is fine for now:



Was able to make it up to Roy's wrenchfest for the maiden voyage. What a great day with cool people. And thanks to them- the Supersprint muffler was able to be installed, Hood latches fixed, flange bolts and caliper tightened down, windshield molding installed etc. Stoked! ( drove home alot quieter)







Did some lower area painting on it- Napa stoneguard paint on the sides, and SEM trimcoat on the front and rear... looking more normal. Bumpers, side trim and spoiler next! ( besides replacing leaking oil pressure switch)

[oldskool]

. . . NICE ! Wish I was there to help. Or drink your beer and get in the way.

[Chimi-Changa]

Rear bumper going on, pulled out of storage for a few years







Seems to line up pretty good, noticed one of my rear lenses has a hole in it- YUK.





Rear shade clips, took some Vino courage to cut the headliner, but since I have a spare- No worries.





Dash going in. Second time doing one was a little easier, did it in a couple go's. First to get the ducts over the rail, second for fitting. The new leather wrap on the dash did not look too bad with the older smooth leather of the M5 console, for now the HVAC and gauge pod not secured yet.









Fuel up time- This Euro car now has a USA fuel tank. Fitting the fuel nozzle to the filler neck- barely fits in, and very hard to remove seems to hit the top of the filler area. Sheesh.





Finally getting this girl out to play, So much fun. Hearing a strange resonance at the top if each shift over 2500 RPM. Might be header/mid pipe related. If I stay hard on throttle all the way up don't hear at all. This long tube header was originally for a late e24 m30b34... So with this setup i might not have optimum fitment. The only support off the head is on the SS resonator ( rubber). I have ordered a support bracket for the 260/6 if I can rig it up somehow, will see and report.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Nice man! Car is progressing well.

You’ve reminded me that I have something for you.. address hasn’t changed has it?

[geordi]

Nicely done on the shade clips Jamie! Amongst other things...
I'll ship the pulls and tail lights to you on 12 Nov when I return to OK.
Now need to find me a left tail light to shadowline.

[LeiseyJr]

My gas tank does that too. Its just paint haha, car looks tits inside and out

[alpinass]

Jamie,

OMG!!! the 528i has come a ....long way - You have done an outstanding job on the Restoration: Operation Hartge Jr. BIG CONGRATS!

Let me know if you need any Hartge body parts. I also have a Getrag 265/5 Sport 'Dogleg' gearbox. That is what I had in my '85 H5s.

Talk to you soon.

Paul

[SPF2006]

So good.

[Adam W in MN]

Love seeing this come together, it's been a long road with this car since the first pages of the thread!

[Burnze]

Just re-read the full thread and I am so jealous of your progress. I had forgotten that I've been inside this car, back when I stuffed the Hartge spoiler in the back seat!

This is inspiring stuff, keep it going.

[Chimi-Changa]

Appreciate the positive feedback, parts and encouragement Gents! This has seemed like a longer road than planned, mostly due to limited time and budget. But now on to more of the fun stuff, like driving the car a little. Including taking it to the last C&C at the Lars, not the best weather but nice to be out. Many nice complements, but most just came up and took pictures of the headlight wipers. ( the photo-scene-kids, tight pants- you know)



The Commonwealth has blessed this one! ( He just asked if the lights worked) No one noticed the lack of front bumper though...





Speaking of which- This front bumper chrome is preowned, and I prepped and painted the inside with rust prevent paint. New rubber and an Ivo Italiano plate thing. Did not seem to line up too bad.







And thanks for the trim Travis, the plastidip came off easy enough and was nice underneath:



And thanks to some nice grab handles ( thanks Geordi) the interior is coming together a little more.



Last but not least- Storage has been acquired! YUUUUPP! 3.5 miles from Casa de Changa and 24 hour access. !El Stoked! to have this one out of the New England winter this year. Driving over with 50 PSI in the tires, could feel what seems like rear wheel bearings needing attention. Added to list.

[Pavel]

Beautiful!

Looking forward to next time

[Motronic]

Great to see it coming together and with a sticker to make you legal finally!

[BenGerman]

License and WHAT THE FUCK?

Sleep tight dirty priest!

[Bonsaibacker]

Late to the game, but Wow! Very impressive build. Hopefully you get opportunities to work on it over the winter.
Keep it up!

[Nick1984]

This is indead an impressive build! keep up the good work!