Attached are a couple of pictures of my latest build progress. BMW sumps have a bulge on the side that means that they do not fit Vientio engine bays. To overcome this, I have had to cut a bit off the side of the sump.

By my calculations, I have lost about 600ml of oil capacity but according to my BMW manual, the difference between the high and low oil levels on the dip stick is 1000ml, so I reckon that as long as I keep it topped up to the high level I'll have enough.

By the way, the TIG welding was done by GIA Engineering, Stapleford, Nottingham and if you you live in the East Midlands, I would recommend them.


[img][/img]


[img][/img]



By the way, the pile of wood holding the engine up is not as precarious as it looks as it has a bloody great bolt through it

Just remember one thing about the dipstick level(s). They are marked minimum and Maximum, the translation of this is, that these are recommended levels NOT they have to be or the world of $hite will decend on you and your family. It is not recomended that you fill above the maximum because this could lead to oil burning/rings problems. Further it is only recomended that the level is kept above the minimum or engine damage could occur. Engine damage will ONLY definitely occur with NO oil. So long as the level is between the min and max your engine will be quite happy.

I might be worried about the oil over heating because you have lost some of the cooling fins, however, the engine and sump (esp) will be in a much more exposed position so there will bew that much more cooling.

other than that it looks good, stop worrying, just rember to fill to the dipstick level, NOT the quantity.

That's nice work there Steve - reckon there's a 'get a lick on' coming...

p.s. We are going to have to book that coffee.