Where to get gaskets, timing belt, head bolts

#1

Where is the best place to get the upper end gasket kit, timing belt and tensioner, and head bolts? I need to order this all up today. Thanks.

#2

Rock Auto is cheap and has a warehouse in GA for fast delivery. BavAuto is another source but they are in the NE so parts often take longer. The charm of PelicanParts is they they have a lot of stuff, but it’s often a little more $ and they are on the west coast.

There’s also the question of head gasket manuf. I think that there is consensus that the best ones are OEM, but they run >$200 IIRC. The boys at e30tech.com feel strongly about Goetz over Victor-Reinz. The most common HG is V-R. If you’d got the time, I’d call around and try to find a Goetz HG. I looked V-R and Goetz HG’s over carefully and I could see what the e30tech guys were saying. Not a crisis, but IMO worth being choosy over if you have the time to find the Goetz HG.

#3

Are the head bolts ARP or what are they?

#4

You can get ARP studs, but unless you anticipate a frequent head removal I question the need (and cost). The OE head bolts are okay and cheaper.

#5

I got arp head studs in the turbo car from VAC. The early bolts are prone to snapping.

#6

Where do I get the head bolts? RockAuto does not have them.

#7

http://www.discountbmwautoparts.com

#8

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/catalog/shopcart/BE30/POR_BE30_ENGcyl_pg5.htm

I actually prefer Pelican Parts. I like knowing that they have the part in stock, and my orders almost always qualify for free shipping. Order on Sunday, and I normally have the parts by Thursday CA to FL.

#9

When I rebuilt my engine, I shopped the parts on the web and ended up getting most of the internal engine parts from either Pelican or EuroPartsDirect, depending on which was cheaper on which part.

I got a few parts from Ireland (oil pump and crank scraper) and a few from BavAuto (hose package).