Maserati Biturbo!

I'm replacing the timing belt and checking the water pump on the engine I just purchased, when I rotate the engine to TDC - the timing hole on the drivers side cam is in the correct location, but on the drivers side of the engine is off by a significant amount, pictures linked below:

• drivers side, circle on pulley is supposed to line up with the arrow cast into the head below the bolt hole at the top of the casting.

• passenger side, I realize you can't see the mark very well, but it is right on th e money.

The engine rotates freely with the plugs out, when the plugs where in I could feel compression.

I'm hoping to get access to a leak down tester in the morning, but was hoping to get some opinions on one of the cams being that far out.

Is it an interference engine? A tooth or two might not matter (as far as damage goes..timing will be a different story), but getting it all back in time without removing the heads might be a PITA.

It is very certainly interference.

Could it be @ tdc of the exhaust stroke?

Will the engine turn a full revolution without hitting anything? Or have you tried. About all you can do is get everything lined up again and do a compression test, and then possibly ask for a refund. I wonder why those seem to have to many timing belt problems, mostly operator error? Or possibly more just bad design like the alfa 24v.

Passenger side has bent valves.

Already contacted seller.

Best of luck getting your money back. Is there any damage beyond the bent valves?

In reply to MG Bryan: Didn't pull head, purchased a leak down tester today.

Do you have access to a boroscope?

Unfortunately, no.

m4ff3w wrote: Passenger side has bent valves. Already contacted seller.

Crap . . . .

Bummer man.

I got the following from the seller:

Seller said: I was told It was a nice running engine, I still have the cluster 41000 miles on it , I can send u a other head or u can fix that one. What ever u think is fair i work with you. I do have a Complete car I can pull that engine out send it to u , But u have to wait till the weather gets better. Let me know.

Not sure how I'm going to proceed. I suppose I should pull the head and see how bad it is.

Pull the head and inspect everything. If the bottom end isn't damaged in anyway, have him send you another head and carry on.

This seems like a relatively minor set-back when you consider the Biturbo's reputation.

Yeah, at least you have another head/engine available!

Pull the head!

Dont you have another (the original) engine anyway? With enough parts you could prolly make it work....

KJ

I have another a 2.5l here. It has bent valves in 2 cylinders. I believe all the exhaust valves are the same size and 1/2 the intake valves are the same size. So I may have enough good valves to get it fixed.

I just need to pull 3 heads this week/weekend and see.

I knew this was going to be interesting.

Otto Maddox wrote: I knew this was going to be fun.

Fixed that.

I'd see where you are with what you have. It always sucks to not get what you are expecting.

m4ff3w wrote: I have another a 2.5l here. It has bent valves in 2 cylinders. I believe all the exhaust valves are the same size and 1/2 the intake valves are the same size. So I may have enough good valves to get it fixed. I just need to pull 3 heads this week/weekend and see.

Why does all the good E36 M3 happen AFTER I move?

Hungary Bill wrote:

m4ff3w wrote: I have another a 2.5l here. It has bent valves in 2 cylinders. I believe all the exhaust valves are the same size and 1/2 the intake valves are the same size. So I may have enough good valves to get it fixed. I just need to pull 3 heads this week/weekend and see.

Why does all the good E36 M3 happen AFTER I move?

Holy crap dude, I don't think I ever saw you post. Thanks again for the MS!

You back in EU?

Edit: Guess not, just talked to Mrs. Hungary Bill and she said you get back tomorrow.

m4ff3w wrote: I got the following from the seller:

Seller said: I was told It was a nice running engine, I still have the cluster 41000 miles on it , I can send u a other head or u can fix that one. What ever u think is fair i work with you. I do have a Complete car I can pull that engine out send it to u , But u have to wait till the weather gets better. Let me know.

Not sure how I'm going to proceed. I suppose I should pull the head and see how bad it is.

I don't associate a person who types like that with a Maserati (even an unloved one like the Biturbo)

Check these out, been for sale awhile, but I know nothing about the biturbo.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/2849133813.html

benzbaron wrote: Check these out, been for sale awhile, but I know nothing about the biturbo. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/2849133813.html

Thanks, but those are little valve heads.

Plus, I think it's on the seller to get me a good head.

m4ff3w wrote: Holy crap dude, I don't think I ever saw you post. Thanks again for the MS! You back in EU?

In London now, working my way back home.

Heck, I'm just glad to see the 'squirt go to some good use! (shame seeing it just gather dust)

I've gotta be honest, I'm a bit torn on these bi-turbo issues:
Half of me wants to see the car up and running before my next visit, the other three-quarters of me wants to help turn a wrench