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There are 22 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Inertia Switch Impact force
From: "Jeff " <essayons07@xxxxxxxx>
2. Re: Automatic or Manual
From: "Erik Geerdink" <delorean502@xxxxxxxxxx>
3. Re: new geometry heavy duty sway bar
From: "Walter" <Whalt@xxxxxxx>
4. aftermarket stereo installation
From: Soma576@xxxxxxx
5. Chat room (was AOL Chat Scheduled)
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
6. RE: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
From: Dee Moats <Dee-Moats@xxxxxxxxxx>
7. Re: Coolant Leak?
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
8. Water in spark plug holes (was Re: Running rich)
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
9. Re: Headlight problems (Again, and still)
From: "Jim Reeve" <ultra@xxxxxxx>
10. RE: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
From: "Doc" <doctor280@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
11. Re: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
From: Mike Substelny <msubstel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
12. big coolant leak... somewhere
From: Christian Williams <delorean@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
13. Re: Backlighting the dash
From: "Robert Rooney" <dmcvegas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
14. fuel management help
From: Jim Strickland <ihaveanaccount@xxxxxxxx>
15. My defroster switch exploded!
From: "Steve Bunnell" <dmcsteve@xxxxxxxxxxx>
16. DeLorean Chat Room
From: "Vin#5462" <dmc12@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
17. Re: Backlighting the dash
From: azelin242@xxxxxxxxxxx
18. Plug leads
From: "Chris C" <petleech@xxxxxxx>
19. Re: Backlighting the dash
From: Noah <sitz@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
20. Re: Inertia Switch Impact force
From: "Jim Reeve" <ultra@xxxxxxx>
21. Re: DML-Running rich
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
22. Re:1982 DMC is concours?
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 17:24:27 -0000
From: "Jeff " <essayons07@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Inertia Switch Impact force
(Moderators Note: With this posting the thread on the function of the Inertia switch is dead. All further postings will be deleted unless they contain additional info on this topic)
It is my understanding that the inertia switch works in the event of
a collision. The force of the collision throws the switch. This way
if you get in a wreck the fuel pump is shut off.
If you had a wreck without the switch the electric fuel pump would
continue to run pumping fuel. If you had a fuel line burst you would
increase your chances of a fire. Also, without the intertia switch
your engine would continue to get fuel and run(unless there is some
other safety device that will kill the engine).
I would want to be sure to have this safety device...
Just my 2 cents worth...
Jeff
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:56:47 -0000
From: "Erik Geerdink" <delorean502@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Automatic or Manual
Both are very dependable. I recommend looking in the back issues
about this subject. It has been covered many times. If you want you
can e-mail me privately and I'll tell you my experiences with both.
Erik Geerdink
delorean502(AT)excite.com
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 12:43:25 -0500
From: "Walter" <Whalt@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: new geometry heavy duty sway bar
Bruce,
I heard a story about someone having a sway bar break in '82. He was going
at slow speed, and it nearly caused him to hit the curb.
My reason for wanting to replace it is that I just spent almost $2000 on a
set of new low profile rims and tires. The front rims are 7" wide instead
of the OEM 6". Now I have the rims hitting my sway bar because they stick
into the wheel well deeper. But my OEM wheels hit the sway bar on both
sides anyway. Another friend's Delorean is the same. Spots on his sway bar
on both sides are polished from the wheels rubbing in sharp turns.
Can you say what model Corvette your poly bushings came from?
Thanks,
Walt Tampa, FL
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 13:13:03 EST
From: Soma576@xxxxxxx
Subject: aftermarket stereo installation
Hey List,
has anyone here had any experience in installing an aftermarket stereo in
their delorean? i would like to put the nice pioneer deck from my other car
in a "D". does anyone have any experience with wiring harnesses, and most
importantly, mounting kits for a truely 'stock' look??
Andy
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:13:37 -0000
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Chat room (was AOL Chat Scheduled)
For anyone that does not have AOL (I know many of you don't) and want
to participate in a real time chat session, you can visit my web site
(www.dmcman.homestead.com) and go to my chat page. I opened a chat
room on my site for anyone to use. You will need to have Internet
Explorer or Netscape with Java enabled to use it. No membership is
required to access it and it is free for anyone to use it. It is on
24 hrs a day 7 days a week and the only schedule you'll need is to
make sure that your friends or other Delorean enthusiast are there to
chat with (otherwise you'll be talking to yourself). You can use the
message board I created to post scheduled chats so you don't use/bog
down the DML with it.
I've also added a live real time voice chat (powered by HearMe.com)
to the chat page that you can use with your microphone to talk to
other members of the room who activate it. Unfortunately it will only
work for people who are running Windows 95,98,ME,NT or 2000. If
anyone out there would like to try it on other operating systems and
see if it works, please let me know.
The Chat window will work with any operating system with the above
web browsers I mentioned. Give it a shot and try it out. It is not
moderated so it's an "On your honor" system that you do not flame,
use profanity , etc...If I find anyone abusing the chat room I will
have no choice but to password protect that page and I will give out
a password to members who subscribe through me, free of course.
If you have ANY questions or problems you experience using the chat,
please email me at dmcman73[at]hotmail.com
Thanks,
Steve
www.dmcman.homestead.com
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx, RJRavalli@xxxx wrote:
> The AOL DeLorean chat will be scheduled for Wednesday at 5 pm
> Pacific, 8 eastern. It will be in the Special Interests catagory,
> under the title "DeLorean Chat". We'll be there until everyone
> goes home, and I'm not sure if it will be an everyday thing, so
> for right now we'll plan it for Wednesday evening and see how
> it goes. (If the room happens to fill up, I'll start a second one.)
>
> So for all the AOL members who want a place to go to talk
> about DeLoreans, come prepared to talk! I hope you have fun,
>
> Richard
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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 10:23:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Dee Moats <Dee-Moats@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 00:41:28 -0600, Gus Schlachter at dmcnews@ egroups.com
wrote:
"Amongst cars that are driven daily, the only measure of perfection is the
level of joy the car imparts unto the driver, and in that case we're all
winners."
I second the point that Gus has made about daily drivers. It is the main
reason I have owned and driven my Delorean since 1982.
Dee-Moats@xxxxxxxxxx
_______________________________________________________
Say Bye to Slow Internet!
http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:34:24 -0000
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Coolant Leak?
Robert,
DMC Joe is right that the only way to find an "Invisible" coolant
leak is to do a pressure test on the cooling system.
If you are going to do an oil change and are looking for coolant
leaks into the oil, you'll know. You will have green "puddles"
floating in the oil. As for not seeing any coolant on top of the
engine, maybe it is evaporating BUT you should still see some signs.
For example: You should see some whitish stains so to speak on the
metal or dry green spots. If coolant is leaking into your oil you
could have either a bad head gasket or a bad seal that is in between
the piston sleeve to the block (very unlikely since you would find
oil in your antifreeze also). To determine a bad head gasket without
taking any thing apart you need to perform a cylinder leak down test
that requires a leak down tester and an air compressor.
If coolant is leaking into your cylinder itself, you will get that
antifreeze burning smell. With the car running at normal operating
temp, (outside of course)stand behind the car. You will smell sort of
a sweet smell coming from the exhaust. That is a good indication that
your engine is burning antifreeze. Again to check for that perform a
Cylinder leak down test. Any mechanic should be able to do this for
you if you don't have the correct tools. The cylinder leak down
tester is fairly expensive.
I've had experienced (with my Jeep that has the same type cooling
system) coolant leaking from the bottle to cap. Usually leaked as the
engine was running. Run the car in park and open the engine cover.
When the car gets to it's normal operating temp, watch to see if any
anti-freeze "spits" out from the radiator cap.
let me know if any of this was helpful.
Steve
www.dmcman.homestead.com
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:39:18 -0000
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Water in spark plug holes (was Re: Running rich)
Here's a little suggestion: apply a small amount of high black RTV
sealant in/around the groove of the seal on the wire before placing
them onto the plugs. This will create a better seal and keep out the
water/moisture but it won't seal it permanently so you can remove it
when you need to change wires/plugs.
Steve
www.dmcman.homestead.com
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:58:45 -0000
From: "Jim Reeve" <ultra@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Headlight problems (Again, and still)
Try removing one of the healight assemblies. Use a volt meter to
determine if the low beams are acually getting power. If they are,
clean the contacts and/or buy a new headlight. If they are not
getting power try the low beam relay in the electrical compartment.
If memory serves me correct I believe it is the far right relay
(drivers side) on the front row. (when looking down on it). You can
listen if it is clicking or not when you push the headlight button.
If it is clicking then you probably have a loose contact somewhere
assuming your headlights are good. If it is not clicking, try
removing it and placing a jumper wire between the very top and bottom
connectors. If the headlights come on, its a bad relay. If they
still dont come on, I would guess again that there is probably some
bad connections somewhere along the harness. Email me directly if
you still need a hand, or would like me to come over and help.
Jim Reeve
'81 DeLorean-#6960
http://www.dmcultra.com/
AIM - Ultra2169
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 14:48:52 -0500
From: "Doc" <doctor280@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
Lets make this real simple ......
The concours events are held, to encourage persons to preserve a car in it
original condition, as it was intended to be from the factory. Final, that
is the way it is and that is the way it should be.
If your car does not fall into this category there are other shows, that you
can enter.
Trust me on this one, as my Delorean would never come close to concours, but
I have entered other shows and have fair quite well.
Please lets give this a rest,
Robert Starling
Vin#05252
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 14:51:25 -0500
From: Mike Substelny <msubstel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
THIS IS A LONG POST. IF YOU RESPOND, PLEASE TRIM QUOTES!
Marc A Levy wrote (to James Espey):
> I just re-read this message, and do not
> see a definition of "Concours", but I do
> see you talk about your experience with
> Corvette shows.
The original American Concours that spawned all others in this hemisphere is the
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance™. Info is available here:
http://www.pebble-beach-concours.com/
This is not necessarily the perfect benchmark for the DeLorean, since original parts
are not available for many cars made in the 1920s and 1930s, but it is a starting
point. The Pebble Beach website has an enlightening page on "What it Takes to be
Best of Show" by Paul Woudenberg. Here are a few choice quotes:
"First, no matter how good the cars
appear at first glance, they are not all
perfect. The intensely focused inspection
of learned judges often uncovers slight
errors in the historical accuracy of a
restoration. Body parts, interiors, high
tension cables, spark plugs, radiator
caps, and hose clamps are all scrutinized
carefully. Overtly visible errors, such as
the use of modern fabrics or materials,
are spotted instantly. The substitution of a
replacement part not quite like the
original in the engine compartment is
fatal."
"Overrestoration (another fatal mistake) is
difficult to define directly, but it generally
involves an attempt to make something
into something more than it was
initially, an attempt to better it."
"A good restoration takes this into
consideration; it rests on attention to
accurate historic detail. And good
judging ferrets out the errors of detail
that defeat many potential winners."
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance™ is perhaps the most prestigious collector car
event in America, maybe the world. The fact that the DeLorean Marque has an event
that aspires to a similar character can do much to enhance the cachet of DeLorean
automobiles. I am proud to drive a car of such significance that it merits a
Concours. Nobody runs a Concours for my neighbor's Honda Accord.
No offense, but the judgeing standards that Marc proposes would be like that for
cars of lesser consequence. That is not a Coucourse d’Elegance.
Fortunately, as of last June, Ken Koncelik runs an event at which both types of
DeLoreans may be judged. Trailer queens and daily drivers alike may win prizes,
although they may not compete for the *same* prizes.
FWIW, at the Saint Louis DOA Expo two of the Concourse competitors were daily
drivers that had a few of the minor modifications Marc mentions. They did not take
first place, but thanks to the dedication and hard work of their owners those cars
held their own. If you got a close look at them you would have seen that they were
in good shape overall, and pretty darn clean.
> Mike made a good point earlier in this thread
> that a Porche concours expects that the owner
> has made improvements on the car, and that a
> perfectly original car would not be a winning car...
> So who is correct?
The Porsche Club of America defines Concours d'Elegance as: "An event where cars are
judged for cleanliness and or ginality. There are several levels of judging and many
classes."
http://www.pca.org/pca/tech/terms.htm
I also found a website that discusses Porsche Concourse competition here:
http://www.pcasdr.org/concours/concours.shtml
Perhaps the idea of modified Porsches winning concours competition comes from this
sentiment:
"Most experienced concours judges
will tell you that a new car never
driven may, on average, score half
the points of a concours winner! In
this type of competition, the entrants
trailer their prized possessions to the
site, unload them to be judged, and
then load them back up to go home."
Just because a Concours winner looks better than showroom new does not mean that the
Coucours car has been modified.
In defense of Marc, I have to agree slightly. My wife is a former PCA member and we
attended a few Porsche events together. They judge Porsches in several categories,
and the "Performance Modified" Porsches seemed to carry much more prestige than the
"Factory Original" Porsches.
However, my late fater-in-law was a Mercedes Benz Coucours d'Elegance judge, and in
those events the perfectly original cars got all the glory.
- Mike Substelny
VIN 01280, 7 years
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 11:53:12 -0800 (PST)
From: Christian Williams <delorean@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: big coolant leak... somewhere
Ok, remember that scene from Back to the Future when Einstein is sent into
the future 1 minute? And then when the car stops, all the steam shoots out
of the back? Yeah, that was me last night (minus the time traveling part).
I was in stop and go traffic in the rain last night, and then got onto
another highway where i got up to full speed for about a mile. When I got
off the highway, I noticed the steam shooting out of the back of my
car. With all the talk of deloreans catching on fire lately on the list, i
feared the worst. Anyway, all of the steam seemed to be coming from right
near the plastic coolant resevoir. I got a tow home and then inspected the
car. I took the coolant bottle out and checked it out for cracks. I
couldn't find any, and all of the hoses seemed tight with no obvious holes
of their own.
My car is post-VIN 1234, so I have the later coolant system. There's only
a couple connections right in that area that it could be. So my current
plan of action is to pick up a stainless steel coolant resevoir and
possibly replace the 2 hoses (one that runs from the bottle to the pipe,
and the pipe to the water pump) that are in the area. Should I be checking
anything else? Has this happened to anyone before?
Thanks, and happy halloween!
-Christian
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 20:13:24 -0000
From: "Robert Rooney" <dmcvegas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Backlighting the dash
If you want to make your binnacle lights brighter, bypass the
rheostat. The gagues will become brighter and much more crisp!
-Robert
vin 6585
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 16:25:26 -0500 (EST)
From: Jim Strickland <ihaveanaccount@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: fuel management help
My D has been sputtering since I got it- I found a loose connector in the
bucket with the windshield washer bottle, and a really bad ground connection
underneath the air filter - other sputterers might want to check these
things....
anyway, I need more help. I was driving down the highway when my 'cruise
control' kicked in. THen I remembered that the car doesn't have cruise
control! I put it in neutral and found that the engine was naturally
revving at 5k RPM. I thought it was a stuck accelerator, but I checked it
and it's not. THe butterfly valve seems to be fully closed. The frequency
valve, I'm not sure if it's working, but it could just be becuase everything
else is so loud! What are the symptoms of a frequency valve not working? I
thought the frequency valve not working would lower the idle.. that's what
it was doing before.. Is it important that the frequency valve is oriented
up/down?
The car does not idle well at all, also. When idling (will only idel with
idle screw adjustment), I disconnected the idle speed regulator and nothing
changed... I suppose this is bad... THere's so much stuff to look at that
isn't working right I'm not sure where to start... Any ideas?
Thanks in advance...
Jim 1537
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 21:44:43 -0000
From: "Steve Bunnell" <dmcsteve@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: My defroster switch exploded!
Hi List,
My defroster switch exploded! I opened it in the wrong position and
it's insides went everywhere. I have all the parts for mine, but it's
in peices. Is there anyway someone could look at the inside of your
switch and maybe draw me a diagram of how it fits together. I found an
archived message from Josh Haldeman, who fixed his own switch. Maybe
you can help me out Josh... or someone... please... anyone...?
Thanks for putting up with my silly problem,
-Steve Bunnell
#11611
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 21:50:22 -0000
From: "Vin#5462" <dmc12@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: DeLorean Chat Room
Hi All
I have created a chat room in Microsoft chat which most users should have,
if not you can download I from www.microsoft.com
Log onto the server labelled comicsrv1.microsoft.com
and into the room named #DeLoreanChat
I am not sure if this will work but I have held some successful chat
sessions in the past using Microsoft chat
good luck and hope to see you there.
p.s. if you are asked for a password it is dmc12
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 22:51:56 -0000
From: azelin242@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Backlighting the dash
--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx, jdsjlv@xxxx wrote:
> Dear List,
> With the new digital dash coming, I wondered if it was possible to
take the
> original dash gauges and make a backlit version?
I used to be a part of what I guess you'd call the 'domestic
dominance' compact racing scene. (shudders) I remember that there was
a company, for the life of me I can't remember their name, but they
would make backlit dashes in factory configurations, in different
colors. All you had to do was send them your dash, and they'd make
it. I know that black and sliver were two of the background colors
you could have. there was a large choice of numbering colors you
could have, too, and they could light up in either green, blue, red
or 'indiglo' colors. I think a black background with sliver numbers
that light up in green would look great, without spoiling the look of
the interior. I'll try and find the website and I'll post a link here.
Luke
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 23:17:19 -0000
From: "Chris C" <petleech@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Plug leads
<<SNIP>> The OEM wires have a
special seal around them to prevent this, which all the aftermarket
wires I have seen DON'T HAVE. <<SNIP>
Although this is probably true of most plugleads, I have found a
better substitue. I bought Bosch plugleads which have an even better
seal around the sparks. Instead of just one rubber "top" on top of
the plug it has a deep groove in the rubber so that you must put the
leads on more carefully so the top slides completely around to cover
the plugs well. These have been more effective in my opinion but that
may just be me.
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:25:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Noah <sitz@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Backlighting the dash
On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 jdsjlv@xxxxxxx wrote:
> With the new digital dash coming, I wondered if it was possible to take the
> original dash gauges and make a backlit version?
> This way, we can retain the original gauges, warning lights and logo
> and have a cleaner look when the headlights are on. Any ideas?
Other than saying "If someone were to place an order, I'd order one," not
much. :) Having the gauge needles light up as well would be really cool, I
just have no idea how practical it is.
--noah
VIN 2867
"Where's my fruit cup?" "Behind the bison."
-- Kevin & Kell (Sept 22, 1995)
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Message: 20
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 23:29:50 -0000
From: "Jim Reeve" <ultra@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Inertia Switch Impact force
OK, I know the moderator just declared this thread dead, but my
question was never answered. By the sounds of it, I'll take it you
all recommend that I DO get a new inertia switch to replace the one
removed from my car? Thats what I was unsure about doing. Please
reply to me directly (ultra'at'isd.net). Thanks.
Jim Reeve
6960
> (Moderators Note: With this posting the thread on the function of
the Inertia switch is dead. All further postings will be deleted
unless they contain additional info on this topic)
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Message: 21
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 20:45:14 -0000
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: DML-Running rich
Another note on the engine running rich, It can and will clog the
Catalytic converter. Inside the cat is a ceramic type material that
is in the shape of a honeycomb with very tiny holes. If the emision
is sooty (or to rich) it will clog these small holes and constrict
your exhaust. That can also cause your cat to glow red.
Steve
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Message: 22
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 20:51:59 -0000
From: "Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re:1982 DMC is concours?
The bottom line is this: If you have a concours car, it is likeley
NOT a daily driver so saftey is not a huge issue. Most cars are
trailored to shows just for viewing pleasure or they are driven
around for like a total of a Half hour at times. The saftey issues on
the Delorean could be temporarily bypassed until the car reached it's
final destination to be judged (such as disconecting the original
Lock module, removing the fan fail relay and using a jumper wire with
fuses...etc...) then replaced/plugged back in with all of the
original items once it was parked and ready to be judged.
Steve
www.dmcman.homestead.com
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