Cylinder head crack options: are m52 and s52 heads identical?

[m3f_MignightMa_4f847d5c30]

I have a very pronounced crack in the head. coolant leaks into cylinder 4.

I was hoping it will only be the head gasket. head gasket was intact but cylinder head was cracked between cooling way and intake valve.(on the combustion chamber side of the head.)



some sellers on ebay claim that cylinder head casting is the same on m50,s50, m52 and s52.



is this correct? I am in Boston MA. Some shops don't do crack repairs. Some don't repair aluminum heads. Some say aluminum head is a waste of money to repair.

[m3f_enderw88_23d4b6eb24]

M50 head part number 11121748391

S50 head part number 11121703637

M52 head part number 11121703637

S52 head part number 11121703637


Not the same. (mostly, you can't get an M50 head, the rest are interchangeable.)


If you overheated the head, don't even think about repairing it. If you don't know why it cracked, don't repair it. If you plan to keep the car for more than 75 miles after you fix it, don't repair the head.

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

m50 head will work with some minor tweaks, but yes... all the others should work perfectly...

[m3f_Roland H_da3d16ded4]

You can even use a NVM50 head if you modify it a bit. Buy the cheapest one you can find, get it decked, swap your valvetrain over, call it a day.

[m3f_MignightMa_4f847d5c30]

so the difference is in camshafts only correct?

what about springs and valves. are they also the same?

will i need to swap springs as well? I would guess s52 springs are firmer.

[m3f_MignightMa_4f847d5c30]

You can even use a NVM50 head if you modify it a bit. Buy the cheapest one you can find, get it decked, swap your valvetrain over, call it a day.



what exactly needs to be done on m50 head?

[m3f_MignightMa_4f847d5c30]

I am getting cylinder head from 1994 525i. Can someone tell me what exactly needs to be modified. I found out that m50 has 2 coolant temp sensor holes. m52 only one.

can someone confirm this.



the plan is to put s52 cams(with cam holding brackets), lifters, springs into m50 head.

[m3f_scoobiedoo_9bf48826bc]

I am getting cylinder head from 1994 525i. Can someone tell me what exactly needs to be modified. I found out that m50 has 2 coolant temp sensor holes. m52 only one.

can someone confirm this.



the plan is to put s52 cams(with cam holding brackets), lifters, springs into m50 head.



valves.......



this is not a bolt it together kind of job.

[m3f_MignightMa_4f847d5c30]

valves.......


this is not a bolt it together kind of job.


valve part numbers are the same. I can't afford valve job right now if its over 300$. I'll just ride on the valves of a head that I buy.

[m3f_Braymond14_63960d99c1]

I am getting cylinder head from 1994 525i. Can someone tell me what exactly needs to be modified. I found out that m50 has 2 coolant temp sensor holes. m52 only one.

can someone confirm this.



the plan is to put s52 cams(with cam holding brackets), lifters, springs into m50 head.



Just plug the hole, that's all the S52 head does. These engines are very basic and cookie cutter.

[m3f_hufflepuff_e935609de1]

http://www.autoheadperformance.com/main/page_bmw_heads.html



i had a cracked head and got one from the site above.



buy the special tools for timing. i get vanos errors trying to do the cam/crank timing without special tools. replace EVERYTHING while you're in there.

[m3f_adambuelow]

Ok, going to revive this thread..


I just bought an S52 engine and have been looking it all over. The seller told me it had a new head put on, well when I ran the VIN on the head it told me it was an M50 head from a 12/92 325i/is auto. I contacted the seller and he told me that when the new head was put on all the guts from the S52 head were swapped. I NEED TO VERIFY all of this. How can I go about this? I'm guessing I'm probably going to have to disassemble the head?


I can provide pictures if needed.

[m3f_Nate325_b5809ad79c]

Ok, going to revive this thread..


I just bought an S52 engine and have been looking it all over. The seller told me it had a new head put on, well when I ran the VIN on the head it told me it was an M50 head from a 12/92 325i/is auto. I contacted the seller and he told me that when the new head was put on all the guts from the S52 head were swapped. I NEED TO VERIFY all of this. How can I go about this? I'm guessing I'm probably going to have to disassemble the head?


I can provide pictures if needed.


There's a decent difference in cam lobes. You can pull the valve cover and anyone here familiar can most likely help you identify.


I'd personally dig a little deeper and want to confirm you have the correct bottom end as well. The pistons are labeled with their size (86.415mm being an S52).

[m3f_adambuelow]

I was able to verify the block is an s52 block, however I didn't go any further than that..yet



Here are some pics I just took.



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/xmrcrackersx/IMG_7708_zps31bce8b7.jpg?t=1393063568



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/xmrcrackersx/IMG_7709_zpsd3316d75.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/xmrcrackersx/IMG_7710_zps2bf3698b.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/xmrcrackersx/IMG_7711_zps3a6a35ad.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/xmrcrackersx/IMG_7712_zps2af6bf3a.jpg

[m3f_vmbray_980ce7cf9e]

I think this is what you're looking for


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1559524-Official-Cam-Comparison-Thread-M52-vs-S52


You'd probably need to post pics of yours from the end for us to be able to see.


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