318 ti 1996 fitting recon head

[LeslieRL]

My 1996 318ti blew a bottom radiator hose last week. The BMW agents here have had a look, confirmed blown head gasket and badly cracked head, as well as a leaky water pump.
Their price for repairing all this, $5000, is about half the cost of the car 12 months ago.
I can probably get a reconditioned head for about $1200.00. I believe replacing the head can be difficult but I have done that before on a Nissan with success,and am looking to do the same on the BMW.
Can anyone advise me on this? I have reasonable mechanical knowledge, with the internet to back me up, and a standard set of tools.
Any help appreciated.

[Sergey]

Sorry I don't have first hand experience with a M44 head, but if you don't mind, how many miles on the car and how often was coolant changed?

[andyman7931]

I'll be working on this soon. I have a cracked head although it has stopped leaking currently, I'll be replacing it in 3 weeks. You need a few special tools, someone posted drawings on how to make them, but if you have no access to a machine shop you could buy them on ebay.

If you want I know a guy who could sell you a new head for less than $1200. I bought mine for $250 with 0 miles on it, but no cams...

[REDIS]

IMO you would be better off getting a whole new engine. I just picked up a 94 M42 for $750. you have a m44 which will be even easier to find.

[LeslieRL]

The agents here in NZ tell me my motor is an M42 and that a new head would cost $2400 while they could get a recon engine for $2100.The trouble is there is a lot more work in fitting a new engine than replacing the head. I've managed to track down a recon guaranteed head for $1500. These are NZ dollars, halve them for the rough US eqivalent.
I have managed to locate a repair manual and am looking to do the work this weekend if I can get everything together

[REDIS]

post some pics of the head install when you get around to it. sounds like a fun job I am going to try and snap a couple of my swap.