DeLorean Mailing List - 10/01/96
Tuesday, 1 October 1996 Volume 02 : Number 180
In this issue:
Re: Pauls love for Lucas
Electrical musings
PJ Grady
Re>Electrical musings
Hood Designs
Oil Pressure DANGER
Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #179
reference to PVR-6 engine on net
I was wondering
Re: Gas Filler Door
Re: Speedometer
Re: Fuel Flap and Grooved Hood
Hood
Old Message?
Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #177
manuals
RE:the homecomming
NJ?
Re: Gas Filler Door
Re: engine sounds, buying a fixer-upper
RE: Concourse Judging
Funny DeLorean e-mail
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 96 11:58:13 -0800
Subject: Re: Pauls love for Lucas
>Delorean); But I for one appreciate originality as well as the occasional
>problem associated w/ owning and driving a real collector's item, even if
>that does mean getting stranded at the side of the road on occasion.
So, when the cooling fan relay that you didn't replace because you like
the originality melts down and catches fire, that's supposed to be a good
thing, right?
Face facts, the electrical system is the weakest point on the DeLorean -
some people will have problems and some won't. I replaced some relays
with Bosch equivalents, and the cooling fan relay with a fused jumper.
Since doing so, my car is much more reliable and therefore more fun.
James Espey
Firm believer in NOT getting stranded on the side of the road for ANY
occasion.
------------------------------
From: "Mr. THX"
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 15:16:47 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Electrical musings
James and all,
I have to agree. When my radio was being installed, the headlight
switch, whose light NEVER worked before, decided to work, then catch fire,
then melt the switch itself. I yanked out the switch before it caused
damage to the socket. Yeah, I don't want to be screwing with a bad
electrical system either.
James, what parts/relays have you replaced?
Mike
------------------------------
From: Dan Baisley
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 15:37:22 -0400
Subject: PJ Grady
>>The moral: Rob Grady is not cheap, (I won't even tell my wife how much I've
>>spent) he can't manage his time worth a damm, but he does great work!
>I've heard similar stories about Rob, and even HAD similar (though not as
>severe) when ordering parts from Rob. My question to you, Jim, however,
>is if you were able to ascertain just how busy the shop was/is at the
>time you car was being done?
>James
Every time I've stopped by the shop, all the lifts had cars on them and
mechanics under them. I don't think I've ever stopped by and caught Rob
sitting in his office. It seems that he has a tendancy to accept more jobs
than he has rescources for, but he does some nice work.
------------------------------
From: "henderlong"
Date: 30 Sep 1996 16:00:00 +700
Subject: Re>Electrical musings
I'm in total agreement with the "replace & relax" crowd when it
comes to the electrical system.
I've seen messages from owners who said they were embarrassed
by being locked in/out of their DeLoreans ... Can you imagine how
embarrassing it would be to take out a new girlfriend or a DeLorean
skeptic and have the car give out while en route to your
destination? Not to mention the safety issue -- I can imagine a
thug thinking, "Hey, there's a rich guy whose nice car broke down...
Let's see if he's got some money on him."
Turbos & paint jobs are a matter of taste; but originality should take
a back seat to safety & reliability (in my humble opinion!).
_____________________
Brian Henderlong
henderlong@wusf.usf.edu
Concert 90 Public Radio
WUSF-FM 89.7 Tampa / St. Petersburg
WGCU-FM 90.1 Fort Myers / Naples
------------------------------
From: "Don Gowler-CFPO01"
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 8:58:00 -0500
Subject: Hood Designs
For your survey James:
Vin # 01149 1981 automatic - grooves and flap
Vin # 10788 1982 5 speed - flat with script
Regards, The Silver Fox
------------------------------
From: magriese@VNET.IBM.COM
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 96 14:43:49 CDT
Subject: Oil Pressure DANGER
A blown head gasket can damage a block if the section of the gasket
is bewteen cylinders. As detonation occurs in one cylinder,
combustion gasses are forced into the other cylinder though the breach.
As the gasses pass through the gasket, they etch away block material
much like a cutting torch. If this goes on long enough, you will
have an unrepairable notch between the cylinders.
This type of head gasket is very difficult to locate because you
can't hear it or locate it by looking for oil or coolant leaks.
The only way you can find it is to do leakdown tests on the
cylinders. If two adjacent cylinders won't hold compression
and you have eliminated valve and ring problems, you can infer
a head gasket leak.
Mike Griese
magriese@vnet.ibm.com
------------------------------
From: TEXASLDY22@aol.com
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 19:17:22 -0400
Subject: Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #179
??? Have you heard there is a Stainless Steel replacement frame available for
your Delorean??? Has anyone ordered one or have had one installed??
------------------------------
From: dstall@trib.net (D.L. Stalling)
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 21:04:25 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: reference to PVR-6 engine on net
I found the following info during a search on the PVR-6 engine used in the
DMC-12. Just sharing the info look up at:
http://www.cs.earlham.edu/~davel/volvo/faq/engpvr6.html/
My DMC-12 took first in class at Old Wheels Car Show held here in Columbia,
MO and there was a lot of interest in car, especiall from younger kids.
Really neat day and the most beautiful weather. For added attraction I put
one of the Universal Studio FTTF models on a large styrafoam cup and turned
it on/off for a demo of the movie car; the kids enjoyed it as much as my
wife and I did.
Thanks,
DaveS
------------------------------
From: jason74@juno.com (Jason T Brown)
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 20:03:17 PST
Subject: I was wondering
Does the delorean make a sound like it does in the BTTF movie. In
Back to the future It made a nice vrooom like on a powerful truck on.
Or does it just putter.
The delorean I want to fix up is in a storage facility. Not
locked up but its been sitting there for two years. What could I do to
find out if the owner wants to sell it? If the owner is still alive.
The dashboard is tore up and the seats have stitches coming out of them
and the lining in the ceiling is coming off. Would Pirelli be a good
tire to use on it? What do you do to an engine if it has had gas in it
for a long time? There will be fuel contamination.
Jason
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 20:52:36 -0600
Subject: Re: Gas Filler Door
>James,
> Chalk me up for an '82 owner 10213 Dec. 81 who has NO door, but
>retains that lining.
>
>Mike
James and Mike
I never can figure out if I have and 81 or 82 - it was built Oct. 81 and
sold as a "late 81" - in any event, no door but does have the indentation
lines.
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 21:04:37 -0600
Subject: Re: Speedometer
>
>What year is your car, what are the last five of the VIN and what style
>hood do you have?
>
>James
James - further to my late 81 reply - Vin is 6530
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 21:08:24 -0600
Subject: Re: Fuel Flap and Grooved Hood
>Well, the answers are fairly obvious, but my DeLorean is an '81 model,
>VIN#1529. I do have the fuel flap and the two grooved stripes down the
>sides of my hood.
>
>Also, I have previously heard from others on the list without the fuel flap
>that their hoods have warped slightly at the edges from being opened and
>closed so often to gas up the car. With that being the case, I believe the
>fuel flap is a better engineering solution.
>
>~ Chase
With 80,000 miles on my car I have obviously opened the hood many times to
gas up and I have never had any problems with "warping" --though I must
admit to an occasional time warp out on the interstate.
------------------------------
From: magriese@vnet.IBM.COM
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 96 08:21:16 CDT
Subject: Hood
'81, 2135, flap, lines.
Mike Griese
magriese@vnet.ibm.com
------------------------------
From: Scott Tester
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 23:59:38 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Old Message?
My message about the Matlock episode is an old one. Most of you probably
remember it! I wonder how it was repeated and why. Also Chase Clarks
response was repeated.
Scott Tester testersd@appstate.campus.mci.net
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 22:27:22 -0600
Subject: Re: dmcnews-digest V2 #177
>We have some new Delorean parts still in the oroginal boxes for sale. If any
>one is interested; please e-mail me.
Not knowing what you have, it is hard to measure my interest, but if you
have a list to fax - (970) 879-1172 - or of course, email.
Dick Ryan
------------------------------
From: GunkelWWW@aol.com
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 03:55:44 -0400
Subject: manuals
Hi everyone!
James wrote last year...
>1. Parts Catalog - (the one we're all familiar with).
>2. Technical Owners Guide - Shows disassembly, repair and reassembly
procedures
for almost all DeLorean components; includes testing
procedures and diagnosis.
>3. Technical Information Manual - Prepared by DMC to assist in
understanding
the designand general operation of the DeLorean.
>4. Preliminary Suggested Warranty Repair Times - Manual showing component
codes
and time for labor operations on the DeLorean (obviously only of
historical
interest now).
>5. Service Bulletins - Service organization, Service Technical, Service
Warranty
and Parts Bulletins
>6. DMC Parts and Accessories Pricing Guide - Contains suggested retail and
dealer
net prices (obviously only of historical interest now).
>7. DeLorean Workshop Manual - Over 450 pages...supplements and expands upon
book
#2. (I believe this is the shop manual book we're all familiar with,
too.)
>I have contacted the advertiser, and they no longer offer any items but #1
and #7.
I'm from germany and I wonder if there different manuals out there??
(for example from the factory, delorean one...)
And when the answer is YES, where is the difference???
I've a Parts Catalog copy
(Section 0-9 General-Accessories(vehicle tool kit),think James #1)
a Technical Information Manual copy
(1981 DeLorean Printed 3-81,with a DMC-12 on the cover,140sides,
1-17 General,19-35 Engine Electrical...91-111 Chassis Electrical,
think James #3)
a Workshop Manual copy
(Contents 0-9 General-Accessories Pages 1-372,think James #3,
but why I have only 372 Pages???)
Marv wrote...(even a long time ago...)
>The original, and still available tires, are Goodyear NCT's, they are
>HR rated ... the original spec's were going to use Pirelli P7's but
>the NCT's were deemed better. Reprints of the manuals are available
>from the DeLorean Motor Club of America ... check the Web Home Page
>for availability. Best regards,
>Marv Sterling vin # 16000
what is the DeLorean Motor Club of America?? I only know the DOA!?
Mr. THX wrote...
>Hi all,
> When I bought my DMC a few weeks ago, it came with a LARGE 3-ring
>binder with absolutely EVERYTHING you'd want to know. Wiring diagram,
>parts digrams, you name it, it's in there. I can make a 300 dpi scan of it
>(or higher) and then create a PDF for it. The diagram comes with a 2 or 3
>page list of numbered items-->part name.
>Mike
Have you make the scan from the wiring diagram??
or would you make the scan for me? pleeeease??? ;-)
(I've only a very bad version of it. I can't identify numbers, fuses...)
thanks to all of you out there...
Mark
P.S. to James: It was a little difficult for me subscribe to this list,
there is a little failure in the subscribe text in
OLDNEWS.HTML
You have forgotten a " in the subscribe/unsubscribe line :-)
thanks for the list...
------------------------------
From: malevy@lucent.com
Date: 1 Oct 96 08:46:52 +0100
Subject: RE:the homecomming
>By the time I reach Bethesda, Maryland I had fallen in love again with
my
>iron mistress.
Yea... Like that's hard to do!! You should have told us you were in the
area, You could have stopped off and compared notes as you passed Exit 8
on the NJTPKE
>The moral: Rob Grady is not cheap, (I won't even tell my wife how much
I've
>spent) he can't manage his time worth a damm, but he does great work!
Not that I feel the need to defend Rob, but I think he has a great
balance of customer support VS time under the car. Prices are also
within reason (DON'T RAISE THEM ROB!!)
Last time I was there, Rob charged about $60 a hour, and it did not seem
like he buffered the time it took to do the work. I don't know about
your neck of the woods, but this is about the same as most dealers. I
would consider PJ Grady a "Delorean Dealer"
Time is a resource that we could all use more of! Considering the
business we are talking about I think it is reasonable to NOT be in a
rush to get your car back, and expect it to take much longer to get
service. Consider this:
Rob would have more time to work on the cars if he spent less time on the
phone with us. This would suck for most of us that don't want to drive
through the potholes of Brooklyn every time we have a quick question.
(Well, Most of you take the GWB, but that is the long way!)
They could try and higher more mechanics, but there is a good chance that
this would reduce the quality of work. It is hard to supervise larger
shops and maintain quality. I rarely trust any old mechanic to work on
my car as most of you do. More mechanics also mean more space, more
insurance, more overhead, and MORE COST!
It is not uncommon for specialty shops to take 6 months to a year to do
larger jobs. (You did not describe what work you had done) It does suck
to be without your car for a extended period of time, but I enjoy the
feeling of knowing that when I get the car back it will be fixed
correctly.
Most importantly this is a job for him. He may love the car as much as
we do, but he is a business man. This is how he puts food on the table,
and like the rest of us is entitled to relax with his friends and family
after 5PM, and on the weekends even if you car is sitting behind his shop
waiting for some work. (He has been there on many a weekend when I
needed him!) Besides, if the DOA can make a business for the love of the
car, why cant PJ Grady?
I have not had a opportunity to use any of the other Delorean service
centers, and probably wont as long as I live so close to PJ Grady. In
comparison to other car dealers, PJ Grady is tops! in comparison to other
DMC service centers, I have no idea!!
I recommend that if you have work you need done on your DMC, and it is
not a emergency, call rob and ask him when he expects to not be so busy.
Last time I spoke with him, he said it gets a bit slower early winter..
Sorry to hear about you delay jim, but I am glad to know that your smilin
again!
Marc
malevy@lucent.com
------------------------------
From: "Mr. THX"
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 09:04:32 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: NJ?
Marc,
You're in NJ too? I picked up my DeLorean from a dealer off exit
8A. How many other owners do you know in the state?
Mike
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 96 07:39:03 -0800
Subject: Re: Gas Filler Door
>I never can figure out if I have and 81 or 82 - it was built Oct. 81 and
>sold as a "late 81" - in any event, no door but does have the indentation
>lines.
THe best way to tell what year your car was built and sold as is to check
the VIN. VIN's that end in BDXXXXXX are 1981, CDXXXXXX are 1982, DDXXXXXX
are 1983's. The build month/year is just that, and not a true indication
of the model year.
James
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny
Date: Tue, 01 Oct 1996 11:01:33 -0400
Subject: Re: engine sounds, buying a fixer-upper
Jason T. Brown asked:
>Does the delorean make a sound like it does in the BTTF
>movie. In Back to the future It made a nice vrooom like on a
>powerful truck on. Or does it just putter.
As far as I can tell BTTF used "natural" DeLorean engine
sounds. Mine sounds much like it, although Dave Colley's
custom turbo DeLorean sounds even better. In the movies
the sound of the door opening was augmented, though. The
actual door *does* make a cool sound, but it is much quieter
than the movie sound.
>Would Pirelli be a good tire to use on it?
I think the DeLorean was originally designed for Pirelli P6
tires.
>What do you do to an engine if it has had gas in it for a long
>time? There will be fuel contamination.
You bet your sweet bippie there will be fuel contamination!
You should be more worried about the tank / pump area than
the engine itself. Do not attempt to start the engine until you
look over the entire fuel system carefully. Drain it, clean it,
scrub it, kiss it, and replace any worn rubber pieces. Put in
nice, fresh fuel.
Before you buy this car examine it carefully for corroded
electrical connections. Get the seller to allow you to put in a
battery and try the accessories (windows, locks, radio, dome
lights, etc.). You will probably discover lots of things that
don't work well, even though they worked fine when he put
the car in storage. You can repair these things (we all have
at one time or another) but this should convince him to knock
a few hundred bucks off the price for you.
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: J W Hodgson
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 11:24:21 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: Concourse Judging
James, I didn't mean to ruin your day! Actually, I agree that the judging
was quite thorough although there were a couple of items on the judging
sheet that were difficult to interpret. The UT vehicle had a fair number
of deductions associated with "detailing" (I'm just not into the
toothpicks, q-tips, scene yet). We also got hit for not having the proper
routing of the battery tie-down strap and having the aftermarket surge
tank o the cooling system. Probably the most embarassing deduction,
however, was that the windshield wipers wouldn't work (they were
accidentally disconnected when one of our guys was under the dash finding
the radio fuse). Anyway, it was a great experience and while it was nice
to finish "in the money" it was fun just participating. The whole process
was very professional without being high pressure. I certainly am going
to recommend that the new owner of our vehicle join the DOA and, if
possible, participate again (get those toothpicks and q-tips ready!).
Name: J. W. Hodgson
Address: Mechanical Engineering Dept e-mail: jhodgson@utk.edu
414 Dougherty Hall
The University of Tennessee voice: (423) 974-5294
Knoxville, TN 37996-2210 fax: (423) 974-5274
------------------------------
From: Knut S Grimsrud
Date: Tue, 01 Oct 96 08:50:00 PDT
Subject: Funny DeLorean e-mail
- ---------------------------- Forwarded with Changes ---------------------------
From: basili@enstimac.fr at SMTPGATE
Date: 9/25/96 8:41PM
To: Knut S Grimsrud at JFCCM7
Subject: Internships Researches.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I received the following DeLorean related e-mail that I tought
was pretty funny. I sent him a reply regretfully informing him
that DMC was no longer hiring engineering interns.
Knut Grimsrud
DOA Chapter 41
basili@enstimac.fr wrote:
> For the moment, i am a second engineering student in afrench
> school. A four month internship is scheduled from May to
> September 1997. To apply my candidature, I have to know the
> address, tel. and fax. number of DeLorean Company. If you could
> help me or if you could let me know who to contact about this,
> I would be very happy.
------------------------------
End of dmcnews-digest V2 #180
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