Oil cooler and Fuel Tank Straps

[Mazza]

Hi all,

I have been to see a fabricator today and showed pictures of the parts that I am interested in having made from stainless steel.
The good thing is that he can’t see any problems with manufacturing the straps and even my suggestion making each one as two parts to make retro fitting easier.
Oil cooler may be a bit more tricky but not insurmountable.
I tried to get help from BMW UK technical dept.......as much use as a chocolate teapot!
I have been in touch with BMW Spartanburg in the USA ( the plant that actually built the Z3’s) trying to get info on these parts. Still waiting to hear back. I also found a company that was on the BMW supply chain, and made pressed parts. Still waiting to hear back, but will chase up the people.
The other option is to get hold of second hand parts that are in reasonable condition so they can be measured etc.
I realise that for the resident breakers this is their livelihood, so I am willing to buy these parts and invest in this project.
I have a lot on enquiries out for these parts but if anyone can help with this I would be grateful.
Please PM me.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

A local hydraulic hose specialist such as Pirtek should be able to knock up the cooler / steering rack pipework.

 

[Ianmc]

Worth checking the cost though to see how it will compare, as I recall the last one I bought a few years ago from BMW was around £80, but they might be more now..

 

[Mazza]

Just as an update.......
Thanks to Adrian. @Synclare, I have borrowed a couple of straps and they are currently being measured and a solid works computer programme beIng done. Should have some idea of the cost of them as a pair once this is sorted.
I had a look under my car today and the smaller one that goes on the passenger side (RHD car) looks like it could be fitted without the need to remove the rear end. However the drivers side one would not. To that end I will be looking at producing a two piece replacement which can be fitted with the rear end beam/axles still in place.
If the cut is made as per picture with right angle returns added they can then be installed separately and bolted together

The top part can be fed in over the beam to the left and slid along into position, the underside part can be hooked on to the bracket behind the tank and then pushed up into position to be bolted together.
I am currently getting the foam padding sorted out with sample material expected early next week.

I should be able to obtain prototypes to check that the shape and fitting works.

 

[Synclare]

Excellent, sounds like you're in the right environment to make this work. The more interested people there are the lower the unit cost becomes. Watching with interest.

 

[Bazza]

Oh yes please looks promising to me

 

[Althulas]

Looking to be a great solution to bmw lack of spares.

 

[pgunter]

Interested in the straps as both mine have been highlighted on previous MOT's

 

[Mazza]

@t-tony , with all the new rules, would rusty straps be an MOT fail????

 

[t-tony]

@t-tony , with all the new rules, would rusty straps be an MOT fail????

Not unless they were corroded right through or in danger of failing mate.

Tony.

 

[pgunter]

Not unless they were corroded right through or in danger of failing mate.

Tony.

The 2.2 was highlighted with corrosion on the tank straps last time. The 3.0, it was just a verbal.. you might want to consider comment. Always good when you get a sensible MOT tester.

 

[t-tony]

The last criteria I apply to anything is " Would I feel safe driving it?"

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

I’d be interested in a set as it sounds a great idea to save massive labour bills in changing them.

Out of interest if the straps fail is there anything else preventing the tank from falling out?

 

[Sean d]

I’d be interested in a set as it sounds a great idea to save massive labour bills in changing them.

Out of interest if the straps fail is there anything else preventing the tank from falling out?

Yes there is a bolt as well

 

[jonco]

Out of interest if the straps fail is there anything else preventing the tank from falling out?

That question brought back a distant memory from late sixties. Driving down the A556 near Northwich at 70mph in a Ford Anglia when all of a sudden tremendously loud banging from rear - stopped hurriedly and got out to discover I was towing a full petrol tank by the fuel line hose. Straps had failed, they were obviously crap but fuel line hose was very impressive. Tank was battered to hell but never leaked .

Sorry back on topic - I'm already on list for straps.

 

[Daz999]

Please add me to the list of interested people for the straps, great idea to make the fitting easier.

 

[Mazza]

Update....picked up a pair of prototype straps today, to check the dimensions and bend angles. These are in 2mm Zintec, but the production ones have the option of either 2mm stainless with punched holes or 3mm stainless with lasered holes. ( can’t punch 3mm stainless).
The original ones are 3mm thick ends spot welded to the main body of 1.2mm mild steel, so will probably opt for the 2mm to keep the cost down.
They will also be flat and not profiled as originals. The profiling is only to add strengthening to the 1.2 material that was used anyway.

Got let down by the company supplying the neoprene cushioning but have found an alternative source who is sending a sample today.

I will put the fixing end slot holes in the prototypes over the weekend and aim to install the smaller one on my car on monday, just to confirm that it can be installed in one piece with the rear axle in place.

Getting there !!!

 

[gookah]

interested in a set of these as well.

 

[Mazza]

Fitted the passenger side small tank strap prototype today ( with a bit of fettling, as Ed China would say!)

Fits and supports the tank really well. The cushioning fitted well but is harder than the original, but I do have another sample of a softer material due next week , so will see what the difference is. The sample I used is a 65 shore neoprene which is water, oil and fuel resistant

I may also have to make the smaller one a two piece strap as there is just not enough space to hook it in. ( I had to bend it a fraction and then straighten it while installing) But that is what prototyping is all about.
Also I think that the final product should be in 3mm material, but it will mean having the holes cut by laser.

But if you think of the cost and hassle if you had to remove the back end then the additional cost will be worth it.

Onwards and upwards !!

 

[BillyB]

Also interested