Hi Guys:

I posted a few weeks ago about a blown headgasket on an '85 244Ti with 231,000 miles. Decided to give the engine a good 'once over' as it had never been opened up prior to this little adventure. In addition to the headgasket, I replaced the con-rod bearings, the oil pump (+ delivery tube and o-ring), rings (yep cross-hatching was still visible!) and had some work done to the head. Head work consisted of minor porting and polishing, also had the valve seals replaced and the seats ground. I actually bought all of the parts myself and then later decided to have my mechanic do the work, so sue me.

Runs very well. Compression is back up in the 150's, whereas it was 130-135 before the gasket blew. But I have a really nasty 'clacking' coming from the head when the engine is cold. Goes away if I increase the idle speed, and once the engine has reached normal operating temperature. I'm wondering if the valve lash is not right, or possibly if I need to allow some kind of break in time for the new components in the valve train.

Otherwise, everything seems fine with my "new" B21FTi. Oil pressure is almost instantaneous now. A little zippier, but not a huge difference. Haven't driven it enough since the rebuild to comment on gas mileage.