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There are 9 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Engine cover
From: BondAtomic@xxxxxxx
2. Richmond DeLorean Show
From: delorean31@xxxxxxx
3. RE: Engine cover
From: Jim Strickland <ihaveanaccount@xxxxxxxx>
4. Accident
From: Jim Reeve <ultra@xxxxxxx>
5. Broken Bushing
From: cburke410@xxxxxxx
6. Re: Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
From: Jack Janney <fastride@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
7. Re: Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
From: "DMC Joe" <dmcjoe@xxxxxxx>
8. RE: Carpet for a DeLorean
From: "Mike " <mquinto@xxxxxxx>
9. Re: Fuel gauge sender
From: "Walter" <Whalt@xxxxxxx>
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 20:29:51 EDT
From: BondAtomic@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Engine cover
Well, problem solved. I loosened the bolts on the hinge and slid it forward.
It works like a charm now.
Now only a couple other mildly easy things (except for window motor.)
Thanks a lot,
John Feldman
VIN 4275
Minnesota Plate:
MY81DMC
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 21:19:22 EDT
From: delorean31@xxxxxxx
Subject: Richmond DeLorean Show
Well, I am getting over the jet lag from the trip to Richmond. Five of us
from NJ made the trip to Richmond for the weekend for the show and the tech
session, and I think you could say it seemed like we flew there :) It was a
great trip and down and back. The cars got a lot of attention on I-95 as we
traveled through Delaware, Maryland, and through Baltimore and past
Washington D.C. on the way to Richmond. We arrived late Friday night.
Myself and fellow DML'ers Marc Levy, and Dan (danrc30). We met Jack Singer
at his facility along with a couple other D owners Dave T. and Gary M. from
NJ who had also arrived. Jack's facility was able to hold about 20 cars so
we left ours there and he took us back to the hotel.
Saturday we met Jack for breakfast at the hotel along with Bob Miller and
about 5 other D owners. We then headed over to the tech session. Other D's
began arriving. Rob and Debbie Grady arrived soon after in their Green
Delorean. We spent the day working on cars and getting them ready for the
show. It was great to meet some new people I had only known from the DML.
Jack and Dave Sontos did a fantastic job getting everyone together. Bob and
Vicky Miller were great and extremely courteous. Bob and Vicky shuttled us
back to the hotel in his suburban and we all went out to dinner together that
night. After doing some walking we finally found a place that would
accommodate our large group.
Sunday we all met in the hotel lobby and shuttled over to the Jack's
garage where we had our cars. We made some last minute fixes to a couple cars
and organized the convoy to the show. I believe there were about 10 cars in
the convoy. We made our way to the show where other D owners were already on
the show field. In all there were 21 DeLoreans there for the show. A great
turnout since the DeLorean was the featured Marque. The show was great in
Browns Island Park on the river in Richmond. There were beautiful cars from
many different British Manufacturers. Spent the day walking the show and
seeing some of the local sights near the show. It was a great day. The cars
got a lot of attention and were displayed right in the middle of the show by
the main tent. I want to personally thank Jack Singer and Dave Sontos for
doing such a wonderful job getting us all together. I also want to thank Bob
and Vicky Miller for getting us all back and forth to the hotel so our cars
could be stored inside overnight. Special thanks to Rob Grady for spending
the day helping everyone with their cars. Rob and Debbie are two of the most
courteous and friendly people I have ever met. Also everyone else who
attended it was a pleasure to meet some new D owners. I was fortunate enough
to have my DeLorean awarded 1st place by the people's choice balloting of the
owners of all the cars in the show. It was an honor to receive the award
especially since there were so many fine DeLoreans on display. Once again I
can't say enough what a great weekend it was. Five of us drove back to NJ
together. The D is a great car to drive. Especially when you pass that
88mph mark. Right Dan and Marc? LOL
Gary Gore
Activities Director
DeLorean Mid Atlantic
VIN 3360
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 22:11:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jim Strickland <ihaveanaccount@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Engine cover
I just had the rear (fascia?) off, and while I was in there decided to fix
this exact problem- I don't know if the release spring in there was OEM or
not, but it was VERY weak. I went to the hardware store and got a
(stainless!) spring that was the same length but much stiffer- that seemed
to do the trick. I'm not sure if you'd be able to make this fix with the
rear fiberglass still on... maybe with the right taillight removed and
really small hands? :P
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: BondAtomic@xxxxxxx [mailto:BondAtomic@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 6:47 PM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [DML] Engine cover
I was wondering: How would you open the engine cover when you are alone? As
you know, I am not a DeLorean expert, but I need two people to open the
engine cover. I lift the louvres up, and they stay up, and when I pull the
engine cover-release, I need someone to lift it up. Is it supposed to pop up
by itself?
John Feldman
VIN 4275
Minnesota plate:
MY81DMC
Before posting messages or replies, see the posting policy rules at:
www.dmcnews.com/Admin/rules.html
To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
moderator@xxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting messages or replies, see the posting policy rules at:
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To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
moderator@xxxxxxxxxxx
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 21:08:45 -0500
From: Jim Reeve <ultra@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Accident
Well, week 5 problem 5, my DeLorean was involved in a minor accident
today. I was going down a hwy. today when someone pulled right in front
of me, going much slower than I was. He didn't signal and wasn't
looking. I hit my brakes, locked up all 4 wheels, and hit the right
side of his rear bumper. But that wasn't the worst part, the guy didn't
stop, and kept on driving like nothing happened. Thats when I got
pissed, threw it into first, and tore after that guy. I followed him
into where he worked and thats when I got the first glimpse of the
damage to my D. Only a small scrape on the fascia, but I would still
like it repainted. Unfortunately, my left front fender took the brunt
of the hit. It has two nasty groves below the rub strip, a shattered
marker lens, about 1/2" of crumpled stainless up front, and a fairly
large bump above the fender flare. It looks repairable, but I have no
idea of the cost. I'll be emailing DMC Houston with pictures for an
estimate, in the mean time, if you would like to check out the pictures
I took, go to...
http://www.overeducated.com/ultra/delorean/crash/
Just wanted to let off some steam.
--
Jim Reeve <Ultra>
'81 DeLorean-#6960
http://www.dmcultra.com
AIM-Ultra2169
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 22:22:18 EDT
From: cburke410@xxxxxxx
Subject: Broken Bushing
Dear Fellow DMCers,
I've had a tragedy, my car broke it's foot. Actually, the front passenger
side wheel appears to have broken a bushing as i was slowly going over a
speed bump near my house. Towing it was not easy but the driver somehow
managed to get it back into my garage w/ only minimal stress on the wheel.
Anyways, the car is just sitting now until i can find a mechanic who can
service it for me. A last resort might be deloreanone, but i'm hoping to find
someone closer to me who can also do some regular maitnence. (the big 30,000
is coming up soon). Anyways, i live in San Francisco Bay Area, East bay near
oakland to be more exact, if anyone can offer some advice on what to do, or
if anyone knows any reliable mechanics in the area, advice or
recommendations, would be much appreciated. Thank you for you time, and have
a nice day. I know i will when i get my car fixed.
Colin Burke
Vin # 4356
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 20:47:19 -0600
From: Jack Janney <fastride@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
Gus,
thanks very much for the reply. There's alot of usefull information.
I'll put your e-mail aside for future reference. I did go back and look at
some of the archives, but to do like you did would be pretty much a full
time weekend deal for the next month. I did go through this web site FAQ
and other information. Also visited a couple of other good Delorean web
sites, enough to realize that maintaining these cars is not a problem and
there is an excellent network of owners out there willing to exchange
information on parts and maintenance. I'm now convinced that I want to buy
one. I love the looks of the Delorean. I also own a Subaru SVX, so it must
be the Guigairo stying.
You're not far from Colorado Springs, hopefully we'll run into each other at
a future Delorean event.
Let the adventure begin......
Jack
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gus Schlachter" <gus@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 5:59 PM
Subject: RE: [DML] Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
> Jack,
>
> When I was considering a Delorean purchase, I found this mailing list and
> read the archives. All of them. Perhaps you're not that serious and/or
> crazy but I'll share what I learned.
>
> First, there are a number of things that were defective on the car when it
> shipped in 1981, all of which will need replacement if not already done.
> The window regulators are one such item. This is likely the problem with
> the passenger window and the driver's side is probably not far behind.
The
> door lock module was under engineered and, in the worst case, will lock
you
> inside the car and burn up the solenoids in the doors. The "Fan Fail"
> module was aptly named, as it made your fans fail and caused overheating.
> There are also trailing arm bolts that could shear, faulty inertia
switches
> that could leave you stranded, etc. (The last three items, among others,
> prompted factory recalls and should have been fixed under warranty by a
> diligent original owner.)
>
> Don't let these things scare you though. The point I'm making is that
these
> things will need to be attended to, no matter what Delorean you buy,
unless
> they've already been fixed. That's my worry with buying a low-miles
> Delorean: the previous owners could have owned the car for 20 years
without
> addressing these items. Fortunately, since these problems were pervasive
> the fixes are well documented, and modern replacement parts are readily
> available.
>
> There are also problems can can crop up from neglect, such as sun damage,
> but these thing will happen to any neglected 20-year-old car. Again,
> replacements are available for things like seats and steering wheels.
>
> As for the oil pressure, the value you observed is low for a Delorean.
But
> the PRV engine is the most reliable part of the car. It is more likely to
> be a bad electrical connection. The broken radio is only important if
> you're trying to keep the car original and NOS replacements are still
> available.
>
> Keep in mind "Rule of Twenty," which dictates that, on average, the cost
of
> the car PLUS the cost of repairs/updates is about $20,000. Your actual
> milage may vary, but if you get a daily driver for under that amount for
are
> more fortunate than most.
>
> Sorry about the bike. Glad you weren't hurt too bad!
>
>
> Gus Schlachter
> Austin, TX
> VIN# 4695
>
>
> P.S. Get a buyer's checklist at
> http://www.delorean.com/english/more/Downloads/downloads.asp
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jack Janney [mailto:fastride@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 5:45 PM
> > Subject: [DML] Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
> >
> >
> > Hi there. I am new to the Delorean world. I recently crashed my
> > Buell S2T (motorcycle) and have decided it's maybe time to get
> > off two wheels and into four. I've owned a variety of
> > 60s/70s/80s muscle and sports cars. I started looking at
> > Deloreans because they seem to be a very good value right now - I
> > love the looks, and based on inflation, etc, in todays dollars
> > new ones would be selling for about the cost of a Dodge Viper.
> > Good condition 20K to 30K mile examples seem to be trading in the
> > low to mid teens.
> > There is an '81 for sale in my area that I'm considering. It's a
> > two owner car. The twenty-something year old owners' father
> > bought it new. He's had it about 5 years and doesn't look like
> > he's treated it exceptionaly well although claims it has always
> > been garaged. It's a fairly early car, build date is June 81 and
> > vin is 2044, mileage is 32K. He started out asking $14,000 but
> > is now down to $12,000. Stainless steel is very good, original
> > wheels are good. Leather on seats are as good as can be expected
> > for being 20 years old. Transmission shifts well in all gears,
> > but clutch is very stiff, which leads me to believe it needs to
> > be replaced? There is some general wear and tear on the steering
> > wheel hub, the leather piece on the drivers side that everyone
> > seems to rub getting in and out. General condition just looks
> > like it has been neglected in recent years. Oh, two things are
> > broken. The radio doesn't work, and the passenger window won't roll up.
> > Here's the thing that has me questioning if I should even make an
> > offer (I am thinking of offering $10,500). The oil pressure at
> > idle is half way between 0 and the first hash mark (10 psi?).
> > Above idle it goes to about the third hash mark (60 psi?).
> >
> > So two questions for you owners out there. Would the oil
> > pressure at idle scare you away? Is ~$11K a fair price for a car
> > of this mileage and condition?
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > Jack Janney
>
>
>
> Before posting messages or replies, see the posting policy rules at:
> www.dmcnews.com/Admin/rules.html
>
> To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
> moderator@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 23:51:07 -0400
From: "DMC Joe" <dmcjoe@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
Jack,
Erratic readings of the oil pressure gauge is common due to an
incompatibility problem between the factory installed sending unit and the
gauge. The DeLorean PRV engine is engineering and quality control at its
best. Unless the engine excessively overheated at sometime in its past it
will probably be one of the least items to worry about when considering a
purchase.
"We're here to help you"
DMC Help / De Lorean Services / <dmchelp@xxxxxxx>
Web Site: <www.deloreanservices.com>
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Janney <fastride@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 6:44 PM
Subject: [DML] Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
> Hi there. I am new to the Delorean world. I recently crashed my Buell
S2T (motorcycle) and have decided it's maybe time to get off two wheels and
into four. I've owned a variety of 60s/70s/80s muscle and sports cars. I
started looking at Deloreans because they seem to be a very good value right
now - I love the looks, and based on inflation, etc, in todays dollars new
ones would be selling for about the cost of a Dodge Viper. Good condition
20K to 30K mile examples seem to be trading in the low to mid teens.
> There is an '81 for sale in my area that I'm considering. It's a two
owner car. The twenty-something year old owners' father bought it new.
He's had it about 5 years and doesn't look like he's treated it exceptionaly
well although claims it has always been garaged. It's a fairly early car,
build date is June 81 and vin is 2044, mileage is 32K. He started out
asking $14,000 but is now down to $12,000. Stainless steel is very good,
original wheels are good. Leather on seats are as good as can be expected
for being 20 years old. Transmission shifts well in all gears, but clutch
is very stiff, which leads me to believe it needs to be replaced? There is
some general wear and tear on the steering wheel hub, the leather piece on
the drivers side that everyone seems to rub getting in and out. General
condition just looks like it has been neglected in recent years. Oh, two
things are broken. The radio doesn't work, and the passenger window won't
roll up.
> Here's the thing that has me questioning if I should even make an offer (I
am thinking of offering $10,500). The oil pressure at idle is half way
between 0 and the first hash mark (10 psi?). Above idle it goes to about
the third hash mark (60 psi?).
>
> So two questions for you owners out there. Would the oil pressure at idle
scare you away? Is ~$11K a fair price for a car of this mileage and
condition?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Jack Janney
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 04:03:31 -0000
From: "Mike " <mquinto@xxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Carpet for a DeLorean
Hello List,
There was a gentlemen on this list who recommended a company call
Hydro-Electric. From what I understand they make reproduction carpet
kits.
I contacted the company by e-mail and asked them if they could make
me a passenger side carpet for my DeLorean. I explained it was no
longer in stock from the DeLorean supplier in Houston.
They asked for a color sample so I sent it to them.
They had finally called me back after two weeks. The guy on the phone
told me that they couldn't find anyone to make the carpet.
I was getting the feeling he was blowing me off on the phone.
It was like talking to Ed.
So my question is, has anyone had any luck dealing with this company.
Or actually received carpets that look good from them.
Regards
Mike Vin#1113
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 03:24:14 -0400
From: "Walter" <Whalt@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Fuel gauge sender
Okay Matthew,
I got curious and took my old fuel sending unit apart. Marty was right
about it being a rheostat inside. Man what a piece of JUNK! No wonder why
the thing didn't work. Anyway, for empty the thing gives 0 ohms and on
absolute topped-off full it gives 110 ohms. Since 0 to 90 ohms is a range
that you said Dakota Digital works with, it sounds reasonable that 90 ohms
would bring the fuel gauge up to the full level (four fourths in
Delorean-iese) and 110 ohms would probably give a maxed-out gauge reading.
But PLEASE do not rely on my measurements alone. This thing is a serious
piece of junk. See if you can get some other people to agree with my
readings before you spend major bucks on having these units built.
To get these measurements, I took a defective OEM sending unit apart, and
connected a quality DMM (a Fluke model 27) across the rheostat track. Empty
obviously is a short circuit, so that gives a zero reading. Full (the
maximum value possible from the unit which uses the whole length of
resistive wire) gives a reading of 110 ohms. Due to shoddy construction,
gasoline residue build-up and weak connections, it was a bitch to get a
reliable reading. Hence, before you trust my measurements, get other
opinions.
As for compatibility with the Tankzilla: If they build the Dakota Digital
unit to have the same electrical characteristics as the Delorean gauge, then
they should be safe. My experience with the Tankzilla in my car is that it
does precisely what the directions say it wouldn't do: The low fuel light
flashes wildly after it gets around 1/8th of a tank. It continues to blink
off and on depending on whether I am going up or down an over-pass or during
heavy acceleration (as if that were really possible in a Delorean :) I
suggest asking Dakota Digital to put some sort of a delay/latching circuit
on the low fuel light so that it won't come on unless the sending unit (or
Tankzilla) says the fuel is low for perhaps 15 seconds before the warning
light LATCHES on. Then require the signal to be off for a full minute (or
better yet have the actual gas level increase significantly) before it
latches back off again. I'm quite tired of watching that useless light
needlessly switch on and off for the next 40 or so miles before it finally
decides to stay on. In fact, I suggest having the warning light controlled
by the rheostat signal alone and ignore the low fuel switch in the sending
unit regardless whether it is stock Delorean or Tankzilla.
As for the speedometer, try to find out if Dakota Digital can work with a
speedometer cable that likes to flop at low speeds. How many cars have we
all driven that has a speedometer cable that likes to whip around making the
reading oscillate over a 5 MPH range? See if Dakota Digital can handle such
a fluctuating input without giving a jumping random digital reading. It
would be nice to have a digital speedometer NOT behave like a digital ohm
meter trying to check an intermittent connection. If their speedometer
could display an average reading over, say, a 3 second interval, then such
problem could be neutralized.
I look forward to seeing the project finished. It sounds like it could be
an awesome setup.
Walt Tampa, FL
-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew P. Olans <mpolans@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, September 25, 2000 3:32 PM
Subject: [DML] Fuel gauge sender
>Folks,
> To anyone with a voltmeter or ohm-meter: Can someone take a reading
>of the fuel gauge in ohms when full and when empty? This is the last
>stumbling block I have with the digital dash and after this we're ready to
>order. If there's someone out there who'd be willing to take these
>measurements for me I would really appreciate it.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Matthew
>VIN #10365
>
>
>
>Before posting messages or replies, see the posting policy rules at:
>www.dmcnews.com/Admin/rules.html
>
>To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
>moderator@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
________________________________________________________________________
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