School me please

[mattdk318i]

Hey guys, I need some quick help.

Heres the problem:

I have a 95 318 with a cracked head. I need to find another head to get it up and running. I found a 91 and 96 318i in the junkyard but the 96 head looks completely different.

Im familiar with M42s but im not sure if the head will work for my application. I know the M44 has knock sensors and slightly diff internals.


I just need help knowing what i should do, Besides the obvious of finding a 95 M44 head. I was just so sure the 96 M44 head would be compatible but it looks as if the cams were diff, And there werent any water lines running into the head.

Help me?

[Xenocide]

The heads are not interchangeable that is the problem

I have an m42 head if you need one, should be in great shape, motor was never overheated, but obviously you should have the machine shop deck it and check it out.

PM an offer if your interested.

[mattdk318i]

Ive got access to a M42 head out of the 91. But will it be the correct head to bolt onto the 95 m44? Or does it still count as a M42 before 96?

[Xenocide]

all 95's should be an m42, some have m44 accessories and can look like an m44 if your not very familiar with the engine.

[mattdk318i]

ahhhh, Thanks man. It def does look like a M44. Im a E30 man, so i know it didnt look like a M42

[Xenocide]

anytime. now I don't know if an e30 head is compatible with the e36 m42, i know there were some changes....

[MPWR]

You will not find a 95 M44- they did not exist. The M42 was OBD1, and it went into early e36s (and e30s, I believe). When OBD2 was mandated, the engine was redesigned and redesignated as the M44. While there may be some parts in common, generally parts are not going to be compatible. You certainly won't get the head from one to work on the other.

I don't know e30s very well, but I thought that there was a lot of commonality between the e30 and e36 M42s.

[Xenocide]

Originally Posted by MPWR

I thought that there was a lot of commonality between the e30 and e36 M42s.

there is, but i can't give him a 100% answer if it will work.

[mgbman69]

I've got a friend that swapped the head from a 91 318is engine onto a 94 318is engine.
It was a direct bolt on for him. Should be the same for you. You should be able to cross reference RealOEM.com.

Good luck!