A Nice Day at Watkins Glen....

Well Saturday was the best weather day out of the weekend. The family piled in both cars (the E21 and the minvan). Guys in the E21 and girls in the van. We were late, so we booked it down 14 South and passed a yellow Alpha Romeo that was pretty ticked with us. Oh well, gotta get to the track on time!

We got to the track, signed in and waited and waited until our turn on the track. The 323i was the only E21 represented at the track. Shauer had thermostat issues and couldn't make it at the last minute. While waiting I got several comments on the E21 from, "hey, my dad used to have one of those" to "man, I haven't seen one of those before". Don't really know how to take that, but I took it positively and next thing I know, we're strapping in and proceeding onto the track. I was nearly last in line, so far away from the pace car.

Everyone behaved very well and taking a few laps on a road track is certainly interesting. I had some good company: a silver 2006 M5 and a late model Mustang in back. We managed to get up to some respectable speeds, but never passed. That's a BIG no-no here.

The entire team was along for the ride and did really well. Wait until next year. I hope the twins can get on the track. It would be a blast to have 2 323i's on the track.

That just aint right!

While reinstalling the new fuel sender and making preparations for the restart on the '80 323i, there were two fuel line hookups unaccounted for. I reinstalled the same way I took it out, but I noticed two lines without any fuel lines attached.

After trying to restart the car, it was discovered that the PO had done some work to the fuel lines and some replumbing was done. This resulted in the hardlines to and back from the distributer in the engine bay not being connected. Good way to not get fuel to the engine. Now with the new fuel pump/ regulator showing up, that will be a good time to retrace just where the mix up occured.

Let's see, fuel tank to sender to fuel pump/ regulator to fuel filter to distributer back to the tank? Wait, that still leaves a couple of hook ups left over (the one on the sender). Plumbing should be easier than electric. Follow the flow....

Getting Closer. I can feel it....

The '80 323i has been slowly coming back with the new fuel sender, gas, oil change and filter, radiator fluids, fuel filter, etc. I even pulled the plugs, shot WD-40 down the cylinders and cleaned the plugs.

Got into the car after pulling the intake boot and shooting carb cleaner in it. Started the car and it fired up for a second!!! WHAHOO! Now I know it's a fuel delivery issue. Got a new used fuel pump and regulator coming this week. That should be the last bit I need to get the engine running. Glad to smell some exhaust fumes today!