Alpina B10 3.5i

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Bob
ALPINA
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Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 10:37 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Bob » Wed Sep 07, 2022 6:32 pm

Oh and definitely need a resto thread please :mrgreen:
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

hooneybadger
AL
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Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:30 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by hooneybadger » Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:28 am

What a find! Please post the link here when the new thread goes up :)
Never not on the hunt for a petrol Alpina Touring - B3 or B3S preferred but B5 series considered
VW Passat 3.2 V6 wagon
R53 Mini Cooper S - sold

Marc.l
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:02 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Marc.l » Fri Sep 16, 2022 10:01 pm

Just a update ….

I now have the paperwork for the car, it looks like it was imported into the Philippines in 2009 or at least first registered in Philippines in 2009. That ties in with it going through the Japanese car auction in 2008, it could well take a year to get the correct paperwork to register the car. The only people allowed to import a used car is a returning overseas worker or a person who has a visa through marriage. I have the right to import one used car but due to the import duty it’s hardly worth it. You pay import duty on engine size and over 3.0 is 100% of the value then plus advetium, another tax based on engine size, and over 3.0 is another 100%. You then pay VAT on the total. So a £10k car would cost £10k plus £10k duty , so £20k then 100% advetium as it’s over 3.0 = £40k plus vat at 12%. So £48,000 plus brokerage costs and shipping, (that you also pay the above tax on!) so this would have cost some body a lot of money for a second hand car back in 2009.

My mechanic is currently helping get a list of required parts so I can take them over when I return in November, it looks like it needs a gearbox rebuild as we found a gearbox rebuild kit in boot. He’s had a good look at the car and thinks it may not need a respray, and can find no rust or damage to the body work under the filth it’s covered in. I’ve booked a detailer to go and buff the car to see if he’s correct or not. It’s the same with the interior, only damage is to 2 areas of the seats, so I’m going to have the front and back seats re-trimmed. Every thing else including the seats has zero wear, the seat leather has split and shrunk in a few places.

The engine needs a thermostat and water pump and strangely it has a broken in let rocker. I’ve instructed the mechanic to remove the head so we can fully investigate and replace the valve seals and do any other work that is required.

What I now know about the car’s specification, extras found so far
Electric rear blind,
Side blinds
Green heat reflective glass
Dual zone aircon
Auto dipping rear view mirror
Electric recaro seats
Rain sensing washers
HiFi amplifier (not quite sure on this one ?)
Full set of black, bound in green Alpina floor mats.
Full leather interior, door cards, transmission tunnel, pillars and everything thing below window level is clad in blue leather and everything above is clad in black leather. The original seats are in fact black under the filth pipped in green. Mechanical extras from the Alpina I will get from Alpina when I submit my €80.

It’s still apparently on the original tyres !!!! ( again I’m in uk so can’t verify this) and the spare is unused and has the original tool kit complete. It’s never been repainted or had any body repair but dose have a badly broken front bumper on one corner.

The mechanic should hopefully next week change all the fluids, replace the battery and see if it will start…..
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Marc.l
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:02 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Marc.l » Sat Oct 22, 2022 2:23 pm

A quick update ,

The engine is now removed. Removed the head and it’s not a pretty site, I knew it had a broken rocker arm so I guess what I found was to be expected. Number 5 cylinder inlet valve crashed into number 5 piston. It may have damaged the head beyond repair, the head is currently at the machine shop being crack tested, they hope full it can be saved with a new valve seat.

It needs 6 new pistons, I think it would be wise to replace the connecting rods as well. So I think I’m going to bite the bullet and fully rebuild the motor, rebore the block, grind the crankshaft, replace big end bearings and main bearings along with the oil pump and timing chain and guides. While the head is of may as well replace all the valves and springs while it’s apart.

Currently pricing up JE pistons, forged rods, updated head bolts and big end bolts. I’m currently in two minds to either drop the compression ratio or use a lowering gasket and buy a twin turbo alpina replica manifold, and convert to manual transmission. The other alternative is to buy a second engine and manual box to turbo charge and keep the original engine and rebuild to standard spec in case I ever want to sell the car and return it to standard.

Any one have experience with JE pistons ?

simon13
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Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:10 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by simon13 » Sun Oct 23, 2022 12:59 pm

ive got JE pistons in my E30 they were actually less money than a new set of original Alpina pistons and much better spec/quality as the technology has moved on alot since the 80s

Where have you found a bi turbo replica manifold? id say twin turboing is a massive amount of work and a single turbo would yeild a very similar result and be alot less work. I've got a bi turbo touring and its alot of custom parts from Alpina to make it work
Image

Marc.l
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:02 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Marc.l » Sat Jul 08, 2023 4:20 pm

An update....

After having the engine stripped considering it dropped a valve every thing is better than I hoped.

The conrods are re useable, a new valve seat has been put in number 5 cylinder, it needs 2 new valves and 6 pistons. The big end and main hearings have zero wear but will replace with std size bearings. Even the valve guides show absolutely zero wear agreeing with the very low milage of the car.

Im going to be ordering a new set of forged pistons +25 and rebore to suit. Would you guys increase the compression ratio or leave as standard ?

The rest of the motor is in fantastic condion, zero wear on the cam followers and the camshaft, had zero carbon in the head, the valve seats and valves show zero wear. The bores are like new (still has the factory hatching marking on them) besides cylinder 5 that is scored due to the broken valve.

So its a not going to be an expensive engine rebuild, standard bearings and new thrust washers, rebore with new pistons, new water pump 2 new valve guides and 2 new valves.

I've also stripped all the motors out of the seats, cleaned them along with the switches, greased all the moving parts and every thing works ! Im still undecided about how to retrim the car. The seats are currently suede with the sides being blue and the centers black with green piping.

My plan is currently to get the engine reassembled, have the gearbox rebuilt and start the body work prep. Again the body is in great structual condition, has no dents and is 100% rust free. I could at a push get away with just a new clear coat but have decided to fully strip the car and have it totally repainted including door shuts and under the hood while the engine is out.

It's coming together slowly....
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Marc.l
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:02 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Marc.l » Sat Jul 08, 2023 4:27 pm

This we believe was the cause of the piston and valve damage, it may have been over reved causing the valve to hit the piston and breaking the rocker arm, or the rocker arm may have broken causing the same.
But again all the pads on the rocker arms are showing zero wear along with the camshaft.
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Marc.l
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:02 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Marc.l » Sat Jul 08, 2023 4:36 pm

I also found the original Alpina plaque, but i think is beyond salvaging, its very tarnished but you can still see its chassis nber 0464.
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Marc.l
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:02 pm

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by Marc.l » Sat Jul 08, 2023 4:47 pm

https://imgur.com/a/4ZQFSDt

The seats cleaned and now working, in the picture they look black but the leather/suede/alcantara ? In the areas not effected by 30 years of dust are blue and black. Having another look I'm pretty sure they are suede leather, the back side of the covering is certainly leather not a man made fabric.

B5s_Touring
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon May 25, 2020 1:06 am

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by B5s_Touring » Thu Jul 13, 2023 2:05 am

Great to get an update on his project! Enjoyed reading :)

hap
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Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Re: Alpina B10 3.5i

Post by hap » Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:37 am

I think you can get a new dash plaque from Alpina but another option is to ask an engraver to take a look from a photo to see if it can be restored I’m sure somebody somewhere will be able to
Love those seats

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