Need help finding alignment jigs for cam alignment on a 740iL

I am replacing a head on my '96 740iL, 4.4L and see that a series of
alignment tools that bolt thru a sparkplug hole in the back of each head
is required to hold the camshaft in an exact position while the
sprockets on each cam shaft are tightened (they have slotted holes). I
called BMW and they want $575 for these tools. Since I will only use
them ONCE, I am trying to find someone who has knowledge of how to find
them cheaper, rent them, or has them that is willing to share them for a
week.

I am even thinking of making something (the car is still together, so it
is properly assembled right now.

I appreciate any help you can give me !
JC
--
Jim Collins
Sammamish, WA

">>>>>>>>" <<<<<<<<Jim Collins <rubidium7atcomcast.net> wrote in message
ews.com...
> I am replacing a head on my '96 740iL, 4.4L and see that a series of
> alignment tools that bolt thru a sparkplug hole in the back of each head
> is required to hold the camshaft in an exact position while the
> sprockets on each cam shaft are tightened (they have slotted holes). I
> called BMW and they want $575 for these tools. Since I will only use
> them ONCE, I am trying to find someone who has knowledge of how to find
> them cheaper, rent them, or has them that is willing to share them for a
> week.
>
> I am even thinking of making something (the car is still together, so it
> is properly assembled right now.
>
> I appreciate any help you can give me !
> JC
> --
> Jim Collins
> Sammamish, WA

Here're a couple urls to try, good luck...

http://www.koalamotorsport.com/services/toolrent.htm

http://www.nwlink.com/~bmrfamly/index.html

But, I suppose that if you know BMWs enough to be tackling the job you have
described then you probably already know about the guys who are behind those
websites.

Take a few pictures and document your efforts for the rest of us to admire,
and offer the document to one of the BMW tech sites on the web. I'm amazed
at what I've taken on myself after studying the step by step procedures that
other Bimmer zealots have posted. Compliments the Bentleys manuals very
nicely.

Bill Kirkpatrick
Sydney, Australia
1989 E34 M20B25
1995 E36 Compact M43B16

In article >,
says...
>
> ">>>>>>>>" <<<<<<<<Jim Collins <rubidium7atcomcast.net> wrote in message
> ews.com...
> > I am replacing a head on my '96 740iL, 4.4L and see that a series of
> > alignment tools that bolt thru a sparkplug hole in the back of each head
> > is required to hold the camshaft in an exact position while the
> > sprockets on each cam shaft are tightened (they have slotted holes). I
> > called BMW and they want $575 for these tools. Since I will only use
> > them ONCE, I am trying to find someone who has knowledge of how to find
> > them cheaper, rent them, or has them that is willing to share them for a
> > week.
> >
> > I am even thinking of making something (the car is still together, so it
> > is properly assembled right now.
> >
> > I appreciate any help you can give me !
> > JC
> > --
> > Jim Collins
> > Sammamish, WA
>
> Here're a couple urls to try, good luck...
>
> http://www.koalamotorsport.com/services/toolrent.htm
>
> http://www.nwlink.com/~bmrfamly/index.html
>
> But, I suppose that if you know BMWs enough to be tackling the job you have
> described then you probably already know about the guys who are behind those
> websites.
>
> Take a few pictures and document your efforts for the rest of us to admire,
> and offer the document to one of the BMW tech sites on the web. I'm amazed
> at what I've taken on myself after studying the step by step procedures that
> other Bimmer zealots have posted. Compliments the Bentleys manuals very
> nicely.
>
> Bill Kirkpatrick
> Sydney, Australia
> 1989 E34 M20B25
> 1995 E36 Compact M43B16
>
>
>
Thanks, BIll, I will give these people a try. Very much appreciated.
I will document this.
JC
--
Jim Collins
Sammamish, WA