DeLorean Mailing List - 11/12/96
dmcnews-digest Tuesday, 12 November 1996 Volume 02 : Number 194
In this issue:
Low howling from behind the seat?
Re: 1983 DeLorean For Sale
Tire-ed of battery problems...
Re: CN market cars (was 1983 DeLorean For Sale) Complete set of DeLorean
engineering drawings Crank crank crank...
Switch covers...
Re: Rubber/metal strips at top of doors
Original 1981 Gas Flap & antenna, ect... Stainless Steel Illusion/DeLorean tapes
& more Re. Sewing Machine Lifters
Radiators
Re: Another DMC on the road
Re: Tire-ed of battery ,brakes
ABE want matches
Advantages
New Upholstery
test - ignore
Re: New Upholstery
Re: New Upholstery
Re: Advantages
DMC-News back issues
Spin out,DMC
Re: Spin out,DMC
Re: Spin out,DMC
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dmcnews-approval
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 18:32:10 -0500
Subject: Low howling from behind the seat?
One (1) day after I bought my DeLorean this June I blew an exhaust manifold
gasket. I drove the loud beast this way for quite a while until I had time to
take it in to get fixed.
Now that it's quiet I'm hearing all kinds of other goofy noises. One is this
strange "howling" sound coming from (I think) behind the wall on the passenger
side of the car. The noise makes the same sound as a fan with bad bearings makes.
Kind of that off balance howl. When you check in the engine compartment the sound
is almost nonexistent.
Is there something in that area that might be running that could possibly be
making this noise? I know for a fact it's not my cooling fans on the radiator as
niether of them work.
- -C2
#3876
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net (Dick Ryan)
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 17:47:24 -0700
Subject: Re: 1983 DeLorean For Sale
>Built
>for the Canadian market, the car bears serial number DD017106 and there will be
no problem bringing the car into the states from it's current home in Canada.
>James Espey
>mikasa@goodnet.com
>602/401-1923
>602/464-5352 fax
This is the second reference to "Canadian" DeLoreans in a little over a week.
Differences????
Dcik Ryan
------------------------------
From: Devil-Wolf Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 20:53:05
-0800
Subject: Tire-ed of battery problems...
Just back from Les Schwab where i purchased two new front tires and a 920cca
battery. As pleased as I am to notice such an improvement in the handling, I'm
not too happy about having to spend half an hour trying to convince the guy going
through my DeLorean looking for a wheel lock key that there was no wheel lock...
Taking a closer look at the nuts holding my front tires in check, they finally
came to the conclusion that somebody had been halucinating earlier and promptly
fitted new tires on my D-car... As for the battery, They didn't have a 1,000cca
battery on hand, but did have a 920cca, and I figured it would be close enough.
The difference is immediately noticable once the engine is started, my idle now
hovers just slightly above 13 volts, which makes me happy, no more dimmed lights
when idling. Hopefully this will keep the engine running with the A/C on during
the summer as well as insure it starts during the winter. The battery was, a
reasonable price if it cures those two main concerns. I was concerned about the
battery fitting properly with my kill switch, considering what I've heard from
others who've replaced their battery, but surprisingly, the battery measures the
same dimensions. Now to tackle the brakes...just so I don't have to endure the
run around when I go to have my brakes serviced next week, does anybody happen to
have brake part numbers on hand they could send my way? Both front and rear disc
and pad numbers would be greatly appreciated from anybody who has them. In case
replacement parts aren't readily available, does anybody have the discard specs
for these parts?
Woofie!
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 96 09:58:40 -0800
Subject: Re: CN market cars (was 1983 DeLorean For Sale)
>This is the second reference to "Canadian" DeLoreans in a little over a week.
Differences????
>Dick Ryan
If you mean differences between the US market and CN market cars...all I know for
sure is the instrumentation is marked with metric prominent figures (incidentally,
I saw several CN market instrument clusters last month at KAPAC). I believe they
are also California emissions, too, but that is not something I know for fact.
Anyone else know?
James
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 96 12:09:06 -0800
Subject: Complete set of DeLorean engineering drawings
I have recently been offered a complete set of DeLorean engineering drawings. As
much as I would love to have them, they are expensive (asking price is low 5
figures) and take up a LOT of space as well as the fact that they now reside in
the UK. If anyone on the list is SERIOUSLY interested, please email me and I
will put you in contact with the owner.
James
------------------------------
From: Devil-Wolf Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 12:24:11
-0800
Subject: Crank crank crank...
>My 2 cents worth is to check the cold start switch and connections thereto.
>Regards,
>Marv
Ah?...I hadn't thought of that either, I'm just on my way out to make sure all
the computer connections are tight as Chris suggested, I'll play around
with that cold start switch while I'm out there, I want to make sure the coil
wire is seated properly anyway.
------------------------------
From: Devil-Wolf Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 12:34:06
-0800
Subject: Switch covers...
A while back I saw an add for a simple plastic cover for the row of switches,
does anybody have any information on these? While I'll be looking into these
switch covers you mentioned, James, (thanks for the info) I've noticed that the
switches tend to slip slowly upward out of their seating in the center console.
This happens day after day and I've either been thinking of placing some tape
around them to keep them snug or cover them with this plastic black cover. I
think I might do both, as I like the look of the console with the switches covered.
------------------------------
From: magriese@VNET.IBM.COM
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 96 16:05:08 CST
Subject: Re: Rubber/metal strips at top of doors
Replacing the weatherstripping at the top edge of the door is not difficult,
however there are some tricks. You will need an electric drill, a grinding tool
like a dremel tool (with a flexible shaft, if possible), some adhesive remover,
some trim cement (I prefer 3M products here), Some WD-40 or equivalent lubricant,
stainless steel pop rivets and a pop rivet tool.
The first thing you have to do is remove the old weatherstrip. To do this, you
will have to drill out the rivets holding the strip to the top of the door.
Before you do this you MUST protect the torsion springs. Cover them with several
layers of heavy duct tape. The spring could shatter if you score it with the
drill bit. Take care to only remove enough of the rivet to pop off the head.
You don't want to drill down into the stainless backing as you will reuse it.
Once all of the rivets have been drilled out, carefully remove the old
weatherstrip by sliding it toward the back of the car and then pulling the
front of the weatherstrip from the door. Be careful not to bend the stainless
backing.
If you have some trouble, spray some WD-40 between the door and the rubber.
This will allow the strip to slide easier.
Once the old weatherstrip is out, carefully examine the old rubber to determine
how the it is attached to the stainless. Then select the new replacement rubber.
The curved part of the rubber should face up. Remove the old rubber and clean
off ALL of the old adhesive. The more you remove, the better the new adhesive
will work. Next, glue the new rubber to the stainless backing, following the
directions on the adhesive you choose. When the adhesive has cured, punch holes
in the new rubber at the holes in the stainless backing.
While the glue is drying, use the grinder to grind off as much of the old rivets
as you can. It is important to remove as much of the old rivet as possible, as
you are going to push the remainder back into the door. If you leave too much,
you can leave a little dimple in the outer skin of the door.
Now that you have the new rubber bonded to the backing and the old rivets are now
rolling around in the door, you are now ready to reinstall the weatherstrip.
Insert the new assembly the same way you removed the old one - push it to the rear
first, then back to the front. Remember that you can use WD-40 to make things move
a little easier. This part can be difficult, so take your time and walk away if
you find yourself getting frustrated. Line the holes you punched in the rubber
with the rivet holes in the top of the door. I like to start in the center of the
weatherstrip and work out to both ends, alternating from front to back. This
keeps the weatherstrip snug to the door without risking kinks. You need to be
careful with the pop rivet tool to make sure that the barrel of the rivet
catches the hole in the top of the door. This means that you really have to push
on the rivet while you are working the tool. You should see the rubber deform a
little as the rivet grabs the door. If it doesn't, you will have to drill out the
rivet again and use another one.
I don't recall the precise size of the rivets, but they are a common size and can
be had from DeLorean One (and I'm sure the other parts suppliers), or you can get
them from a fastener company like Fastenol. I did not have much luck getting
stainless steel rivets from an auto supplier. They typically carry aluminum rivets,
which will discolor over time.
Mike Griese
magriese@vnet.ibm.com
------------------------------
From: "Scott Mueller" Date: Sun, 3 Nov 96 18:57:52 UT
Subject: Original 1981 Gas Flap & antenna, ect...
VIN 002981 Manufactured Aug '81
I have seen lots of discussions about gas flaps and antenna's. My Delorean,
which I bought from my father who is the original owner, has the Gas flap in
the hood along with ribs running fore and aft. The antenna is a fixed mast in
the right front fender. My father recieved a service bulletin showing an antenna
retrofit for the left rear fender.
Chase, my engine compartment light switch has only two wires, one black and
the other purple/white. Also, I to have the rattly door, some day I will attempt
to fix it.
To this date, the only parts I need are a fuel level sender, new shock absorbers
and a higher output altenator. I would like to have the headliners
reattached, I hear that these can be redone with the original material. Every
thing else is original and working.
The only modification made from original is the replacement of the plastic
clutch hydraulic line, which would swell in hot weather and not allow the clutch
to fully disengage. We replaced it with a braided stainless line.
My car currently has only 13,000 miles on it. It is only driven on the occasional
week end, when the weather is nice.
Insurance
I have full coverage from Statefarm, $68/month. Low deductables. Statefarm
has all of my insurance, so it was not a problem getting coverage. I have
been a customer for 21 years.
Haggerty Classic Insurance quoted me a policy for $30/month, 1/800-922-4050.
So far I have stuck with Statefarm since they are a known quantity.
I would very much like to participate in the annual car show, perhapes when it
is within a few hours from the San Francisco Bay Area.
I truely enjoy driving the Delorean and this mailing list is fantastic, the
moderated version is the one I prefer, THANKS JAMES.
SCOTTAMUELLER@MSN.COM
1981 VIN 002981
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 96 14:53:45
Subject: Stainless Steel Illusion/DeLorean tapes & more
If the rest of November works out like the first week, I'll be in great shape...
I was able to acquire (2) very rare versions of SSI. These are pre-release books,
sent out to reviewers, bookstores, etc. I am told that generally speaking, only a
few hundred of these books are ever produced. Before the book is sent out for the
hardback binding process, the Publisher pulls some books and puts a "quick binding"
on them to get them in the hands of those reviewers and purchasing people.
The two copies that I have are in excellent condition, with the "wire-o" type
binding and a thick (nearly 1/8" inch) laminate-type plastic cover with a label
that says "PRE-RELEASE COPY - NOT FOR RETAIL SALE". Both books are complete, and
ready for sale. I am asking $200 each for these books.
Additionally, I have one extra copy each of THE DELOREAN TAPES ($45) and the
latest find, MOTOR MAKERS OF IRELAND ($45).
I also have some extra copies of Special Interest Autos ($6) from June of 1995,
which has the DeLorean on the cover (this is one of of the early cars witht he
white letters on the bumper). It has a nice article on the car written by former
DMC exec Mike Knepper.
Further details on all of these (except the magazine) can be found on the chapter
43 web page at www.delorean-owners.org/chap43.html
Email me with questions or to order.
James Espey
------------------------------
From: Delornut@aol.com
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 22:08:42 -0500
Subject: Re. Sewing Machine Lifters
The ticking sound in the engine could be anything from a loose heat shield on
the crossover pipe to a time bomb. Seriously, I'd start with the simplest thing,
the heat shield. If it is a bit loose, which is pretty common,have it welded.
Next, look for an exhaust leak. If it sounds like the tick keeps a definite time
with the engine look around the manifold where it meets the cylinder head and
also where the crossover pipe mates with it. After I adjusted the valves in my
car I became more attuned to engine noise. There does seem to be more mechanical
sounds from the passenger side of the engine
in my car but nothing too outstanding. I know the hydraulic cam chain tensioners
have a plastic filtering screen behind them and have been known to partially melt
when an engine overheats. This can cause the tensioners to lose some pressure and
I thought maybe this was the cause of the noises on the passenger side. After
finding the chain tensions ok I used a stethoscope and discovered the noise was
the loudest at the oil filter. The oil pump is chain driven off the crankshaft
and is located behind the oil filter. I'm convinced that some of these sounds
are emanating from the oil pump and its drive chain. This engine doesn't have
hydraulic valve adjusters like most every day cars so some valve train noise is
also normal, even when the valves are adjusted properly. In the case of my car,
I'm convinced it's just the normal mechanical sounds of the oil pump, valve train
and their drive chains doing their thing. As I said, it was only because of the
valve adjustment that I was more attuned to these sounds.
Bruce Benson
------------------------------
From: Mpeak@aol.com
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 01:05:06 -0500
Subject: Radiators
Redi Kool...All copper and brass radiators. $179.95 (In 1992. Today, $???).
1-800-645-5824. Much more superior, durable, and cost efficient than OEM.
If Redi Kool is out, P.J. Grady also stocks all brass radiators.
- -Matt
------------------------------
From: jory bell
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 16:38:45 -0800
Subject: Re: Another DMC on the road
your experiejnce with the other owner sounds unfortunate and rather odd. I used
my delorean for several months recently to commute from san francisco to the
south bay. right now, i am not driving it as i have an electrical problem with
the fans that i need to resolve and have been too busy of late.
::jory
>Well, I saw my first Delorean on the road today since I bought my car, and I
>have to say I am very disappointed.
>I entered the freeway, glanced in my rear view mirror, and there it was. My
>heart began pumping like it did when I would see one on the street before I
>bought my own. I slowed down to let him catch up to me so I could wave to the
guy, flash my VIN number or something, and exchange smiles. To my surprise, the
guy drove right by me with a slight smirk on his face without
>even glancing. I then pulled directly behind him then to the other side of
>the car (the driver's side). I stayed even with him for about 1 mile, constantly
waving and honking while my fellow DMC owner occasionally glanced
>at me through the corner of his eye (but for the most part staired straight
>ahead) smirking every once in a while.
>I realize that Delorean owners receive many stares, glances, and other reactions
while driving on the road and it would be rediculous (and probably
>arrogant) to wave to and acknowledge everybody. But to deliberately ignore a
>fellow owner of a very rare, limited production car while the other owner is
>making serious attempts to get your attention is just plain rude and wrong.
>We are very priviledged individuals of only about 6000 in the world and the
>chances of two of us randomly stumbling upon each other on the road are low.
>If there is an owner lurking out there with a license plate of "AN81DMC" who
>was traveling north on highway 280 in San Jose, CA on friday, drop me a line.
>I'm curious to know what game you were trying to play.
>-Matt
------------------------------
From: ausmith@pdx.oneworld.com
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 1996 08:21:07 +0000
Subject: Re: Tire-ed of battery ,brakes
>Now to tackle the brakes...just so I don't have to endure the run around when I
go to have my brakes serviced next week, does anybody happen to have
>brake part numbers on hand they could send my way?
BBoth front and rear disc and pad numbers would be greatly appreciated from
anybody who has them.
>In case replacement parts aren't readily available, does anybody have the discard
specs for these parts?
Anthony,
I've got the brake numbers. When I bought mine the owner had a complete set of
pads that came with the car. I don't know which is front as they are still in
the boxes and the ones on the car arn't anywhere close to needing replacement.
They are;
REPCO D97D and REPCO D174D
Good luck,
Chris
If at first you DO succeed, try not to look amazed!
------------------------------
From: Advanced Book Exchange, abe@abebooks.com Date: Sun, 10 Nov 1996 12:42:21
-0500 (EST) Subject: ABE want matches
The following wants have been matched by ABE:
***
Your Want: Keywords: delorean
Has been matched with the following book(s):
- --------
Hard Driving, My Years with John DeLorean by Haddad, William New York Random House 1985
keywords: Automobiles Michigan History biographyy DeLorean, John inscribed by the
author, fine very good dj 193 p. The author was a top executive in DeLorean's ill-fated
auto company in Detroit and is also an award-winning journalist. Interesting perspectives.
first ed. Binding is 8vo, cloth.
The price of the book is $ 30.00 Please reference the seller's book # 001684 when ordering.
The seller is Peninsula Books at 451 North Madison , Traverse City, MI,
USA, 49684-2112
Email them at Penbooks@traverse.com., phone them at 1-800-530-6737., fax them at 1-941-1787.
Their conditions of sale are; S&H: $4.00 for the first item & $1.00 each additional. We ship via
US mail. Foreign shipments additional, please inquire via e-mail. Fast service,
Quality packaging always, and Assured Satisfaction. We accept international money
orders, checks, and Visa and MasterCard.
This mail was created 11/08/1996 10:55:20 PM and postmarked 11/09/1996 12:39:47 AM
------------------------------
From: jason74@juno.com (Jason T Brown)
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 1996 05:57:42 PST
Subject: Advantages
I found another advantage of owning a delorean.
On my parents new car the hood is rounded off at the end an I have trouble
judgeing the distance between the car and the object in front of me. But on a
delorean, the hood is flat and easy to see over so it would be easier to judge
the distance. Am I right?
------------------------------
From: Lucinda Sparks Date: Sun, 10 Nov 1996 23:15:39
+0000
Subject: New Upholstery
I just returned from Universal Studios where I ran their Back Lot 10K. We went
right past the poor BTTF D and it really looked sad. All hiked up, with 40's
white sidewall tires. Yuuuuch. I really wanted to go over and check the VIN, but
they had guards all over the place.
I wanted to pass along the good news on my leather upholstery. I went to DMC
Motor Center in Garden Grove, as they had by far the best asking price. My seats
are evidently nonstandard in color. (grey interior, grey leather seats with a
slight blue or pewter cast to them). The standard story is that they unscrew the
back panels (on the rear face of each seatback), then you can stretch and clip
fresh unholstery on, and screw in the back panels again. I ordered new upholstery
over the phone, and didn't drive down there until it was supposedly complete. Don
let me take a loaner seat so I did not have to leave my car while the upholsterer
installed everything. It turned out to be a good thing. Once done, we noted that
the color of the new leather (and vinyl sides) did not exactly match my backs.
So... I caughed up an extra $62 for recovering the backs too, and after another
trip, now have nice looking new leather seats. The whole thing cost $1048 including
all the outrageous CA sales tax. I am really happy with them. Had the dash repainted
(or dyed, not sure what they did) at my regular mechanic's (not DMC MC) and
the car now looks like show condition. I just wish it would last.
Next question is: what do you put on new leather? My mechanic recommended Vaseline
Intensive Care Hand Cream for the old ones. I put some on the new seats and they
simply soaked it up.
- ---Cindy,VIN 10059 (Dec 81, but DMV says Jan 82).
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 96 11:09:26 -0800
Subject: test - ignore
test - ignore
Everytime I think the world is moving so fast, I go to the post office.
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net (Dick Ryan)
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 12:51:29 -0700
Subject: Re: New Upholstery
My personal favorites are saddle soap and/or Lexol. You need to not only keep the
leather soft and pliable, but the stitching as well.
Dick Ryan
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 96 13:08:48 -0800
Subject: Re: New Upholstery
Lexol has been my personal choice as well. You can generally get it at a Feed/Tack
Supply place. It's intended for saddles and the like, but works great on the seats,
shift boot and steering wheel.
James
Everytime I think the world is moving so fast, I go to the post office.
------------------------------
From: Mike Reichert
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 19:26:40 -0600
Subject: Re: Advantages
Jason T Brown wrote:
>I found another advantage of owning a delorean.
>On my parents new car the hood is rounded off at the end an I have trouble
judgeing the distance between the car and the object in front of me. But on a
delorean, the hood is flat and easy to see over so it would be easier to judge
the distance. Am I right? Yesiree! You are absolutely right. Like when you need
to get in a real tight parking space, it's much easier to see in front of you as
to where the curb is.
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 96 09:48:25 -0800
Subject: DMC-News back issues
I need some copies of the back issues to update the web pages completely. If
someone would be so kind as to forward me copies of the these back issues, I'd
appreciate it!
#160 through #167
#172
#187
Thanks!
James "Mikasa" Espey
Moderator, DeLorean Mailing List
http://www.dmcnews.com
------------------------------
From: jason74@juno.com (Jason T Brown)
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 1996 06:12:06 PST
Subject: Spin out,DMC
Can a Delorean actually Spin out like it did in BTTF?
I saw some thing in a craft store, it was a wooden box and it had DMC on it. Is
DMC copyrighted? Or can people use the letters DMC on a company name without
permission?
------------------------------
From: Mike Reichert
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 17:48:05 -0600
Subject: Re: Spin out,DMC
Jason T Brown wrote:
>Can a Delorean actually Spin out like it did in BTTF?
>I saw some thing in a craft store, it was a wooden box and it had DMC on it. Is
DMC copyrighted? Or can people use the letters DMC on a company name without
permission? Yeah. I was wondering the same thing! Exactly what the heck is going
on when doc is using the remote control and the DeLorean's wheels start spinning
like mad, but it doesent go anwhere, and then he flips a switch and it shoots off
like a rocket? Is this just some sort of a wierd effect to make the car look like
it's specially wakced out? Or do DeLoreans really DO that?!
"Marty, I'm sure that in 1985, plutonium is available at every corner drugstore,
but in 1955, IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO COME BY!"
------------------------------
From: Kevin MacDougall Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 19:23:30 -0200
Subject: Re: Spin out,DMC
that trick can be easily accomplished on any D all you must do is install a Line
lock mechanism. which when engaged only locks the front brakes leaving the rear
to spin but the car will not move then you simply release the brake and apply the
accelerator as not to stall the engine. there is a simple switch that turns on the
mechanism electronically and you can mount it where ever you want it. the aspect of
the MPH increasing however is impossible because the car is not actually moving
note: the RPM's will increase. you will also need to install beefier brake pads
due to more harsh conditions. At 05:48 PM 11/12/96 -0600, you wrote:
>Jason T Brown wrote:
>>Can a Delorean actually Spin out like it did in BTTF?
>>I saw some thing in a craft store, it was a wooden box and it had DMC on it. Is
DMC copyrighted? Or can people use the letters DMC on a company name without
permission?
>Yeah. I was wondering the same thing! Exactly what the heck is going on when doc
is using the remote control and the DeLorean's wheels start spinning like mad, but
it doesent go anwhere, and then he flips a switch and it shoots off like a rocket?
Is this just some sort of a wierd effect to make the car look like it's specially
wakced out? Or do DeLoreans really DO that?!
>"Marty, I'm sure that in 1985, plutonium is available at every corner drugstore,
but in 1955, IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO COME BY!"
**************************************************************************** Kevin MacDougall
Kevinmac@iconn.net Live to race/Race to live
http://www.iconn.net/kevinmac DMC-12
****************************************************************************
"If I had a dime for every original idea Bill Gates had... why I'd have
nothing!" - Christopher Meinck
------------------------------
End of dmcnews-digest V2 #194
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