Re: [DML] 20years of Michigan Weather (long and full of questions)

[William T Wilson <fluffy@xxxx>]

On Thu, 24 Aug 2000 nskalsky@xxxx wrote:

> fascias (warped) are sun scorched. The engine is very rusted looking 
> and the frame was deemed "unsafe" because of extensive rust damage to 
> the front part of frame (1989). The owner who is selling it bought

You are probably out of luck with the original frame. The engine could go
either way. It's not uncommon for the ugliest looking pile of metal to
turn out to be a fine mechanical engine. Unfortunately it requires a
little bit of effort to know for sure. Ideally you would take off the oil
pan, valve covers, and manifolds and inspect all visible parts (I'd say to
remove the heads too but they are so easy to warp that it is probably not
worth it). If everything looks ok you can probably squirt some oil in and
run it - having gone through the fuel system in the process of
disassembling the car to remove the frame :}

> Is this sad delorean a lost cause? what price range do you think I
> should ask for if I do want to purchase it? I have the space to

No, but it is definitely going to be a major project. It would be a good
car for someone looking to do a complete rebuild, perhaps with a stainless
frame and a new engine.

Value is not going to be high. In effect, the only thing on the car worth
keeping is the body and suspension. I'm thinking $3K if the engine is
ruined, $5K if it is ok.

> and allthough I'm not a mechanic I can handle big projects. what are 
> the implicataions of a frame transfer? can the windshields be taken 

You will be after you're done with this one <g>

It's really just a lot of work. You should really think of it as a
frame-up restoration project rather than a big part swap, as it will more
accurately reflect the scope of the project.

> evidence of much worse damage to internal engine components? is there 
> any chance that the old frame could be structuraly inforced without 

I wouldn't do that, unless the damage is either very minor or a DMC
specialist says it can be repaired from looking at it. You don't want
your frame coming apart!