Friday, 4 October 1996 Volume 02 : Number 182
In this issue:
Re: X showing through the lid
Re: X - Opps
Re: Is it a good deal?
Lubricate steering rack
Re: Is it a good deal?
DMC Prices
Fueling in the wind !!!!
Fueling in the wind !!!!
(no subject)
Re: Fueling in the wind !!!!
PVR6 Engine-Pro or Con?
Right Hand Drive DMC's
Re: dmc news digest
Re: Right Hand Drive DMC's
Re: PVR6 Engine-Pro or Con? / Right hand drive?
How long do you warm-up a DeLorean?
RE: How long do you warm-up a DeLorean?
List of parts for sale please.
DMC & JZD article
Re: DMC & JZD article
DeLorean Museum
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Don Gowler-CFPO01"
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 8:13:00 -0500
Subject: Re: X showing through the lid
Message authorized by:
: andreas@tradesoft.se@INTERNET at #EMAIL
Andreas Ludwig wrote. "I'm going to buy a DeLorean and as I live
in Sweden I don't have many to choose from. I've found two and on
one of them you can see a "X" showing through the lid. I read
something in the latest dmcnews that suggested that washing the
car might be the reason for this."
Andreas, washing the car per se is not the problem. The problem occurs when
folks decide to push down too heavily with their cloth or sponge when washing or
most often when using the 3M buffing pad to smooth away small scratches.
Regards, The Silver Fox
_______________________________________________________________________________
Subject: X showing through the lid
From: dmcnews-approval@world.std.com@INTERNET at #EMAIL
Date: 10/2/96 4:21 AM
Hi
I'm going to buy a DeLorean and as I live in Sweden I don't have many to
choose from. I've found two and on one of them you can see a "X" showing
through the lid. I read something in the latest dmcnews that suggested
that washing the car might be the reason for this. If I buy the otherone
I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to it.
If anyone has any experience to share about this I would be grateful.
Andreas Ludwig
------------------------------
From: "Don Gowler-CFPO01"
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 8:19:00 -0500
Subject: Re: X - Opps
Message authorized by:
: raddad@cmn.net@INTERNET at #EMAIL
Dick Ryan, sorry to have almost repeated your answer verbatim to Andreas. I
should have looked further down the list to see if anyone else helped him on his
question. Well anyway he has to be convinced by now that we know what we are
talking about.
Best regards, The Silver Fox
- ---------------------------- Forwarded with Changes ---------------------------
From: dmcnews-approval@world.std.com@INTERNET at #EMAIL
Date: 10/2/96 7:50AM
*To: dmcnews@world.std.com@INTERNET at #EMAIL
Subject: Re: X showing through the lid
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny
Date: Wed, 02 Oct 1996 10:04:48 -0400
Subject: Re: Is it a good deal?
Falcon said:
>What was the original cost of the vehicle when it first came
>out? How has it changed?
Most DeLoreans sold brand new for around $25,000. Some
went higher, and many lower (especially toward the end). A
really pristine, showroom quality DeLorean can bring in that
much or more today.
>This guy is selling an '81 Delorean w/ 21k miles on it. He
>says it's in exc. condition, and he's selling it for $13500. Is
>is a good deal?
This is a terrible deal and you should avoid it at all costs.
But while you're avoiding it, why don't you give me that guy's
phone number . . .
Seriously, if the car has no major faults that price is quite
fair. If the car is in excellent shape then it is a real bargain.
I advise you to spend an evening reading the back issues of
the DML. Make notes. When you go to buy the car you
could sound like a real expert. You might even know more
than the seller (unless he is a subscriber).
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: "Curtis C. Ballard"
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 96 8:12:14 MDT
Subject: Lubricate steering rack
I see in the manual that the steering rack is supposed to contain a few
tablespoons of oil, but cannot find any way to check or fill it. Am I
missing something obvious?
Also, thanks for all the replies about the squeeking steering wheel. Still
haven't found it so will be removing column soon to see what is wrong.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Curtis C. Ballard (970) 350-4014
Hewlett Packard curtisb@gr.hp.com
Storage Systems Operation R&D Lab Greeley, CO
- ---
fortune of the day:
"The two most common things in the universe are hydrogen and
stupidity."
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 96 09:28:19 -0800
Subject: Re: Is it a good deal?
>This guy is selling an '81 Delorean w/ 21k miles on it. He
>says it's in exc. condition, and he's selling it for $13500. Is
>is a good deal?
Some time ago Mike Substelny wrote on this very subject:
>Check the shock towers and all welds and joints for rust.
>Even a small spot of frame rust is a pain in the neck to
>repair, but anyone can do it if they try. Also check the
>condition of the rear trailing arms and the bolts that hold the
>to the frame.
>
>Almost anything is repairable, frame rust and fuel system
>damage are just two of the most expensive ones. Do not be
>surprised to find a few minor electrical bugs. Look in the
>relay compartment behind the passenger seat and in the
>junction box in the engine compartment. Look for corrosion /
>damage to the wiring. Do not be surprised if one or two of
>the relays have been bypassed by jumpers (fan control
>module, center consol light relay).
>
>Items below are common faults repairable for a few hundred
>dollars or less. Be aware of them when negotiating price:
>
>Check all electrical accessories, including the power locks,
>door marker lights and driving lights.
>
>Often the fuel gauge will read improperly due to a bad sender
>unit (under the spare tire in the trunk). If you smell gasoline
>this may also be the sender unit (rather than a bad fuel line).
>
>Listen for a ticking sound from the speedometer. Does the
>speedo read accurately? Speedo angle drives and cables
>are *notoriously* fragile. Thus, there are many DeLoreans
>out there with more miles on them than their odometers
>show!
>
>Feel for loose steering. Steering naturally loosens up as the
>car is driven, but it should be very tight on a low mileage car!
>
>Do the brakes pull to one side? Inactivity may have allowed
>part of a calliper to freeze up.
>
>Put a tape in the tape player. Listen to all four speakers
>individually.
Some other things that I would look for when inspecting a DeLorean for
purchase would include checking hte following items:
Certain pieces that have become scarce (read: expensive) and other things
that I would look for include the cargo netting behind the seats, the
binnacle surrounding the instrument cluster (look for crack), check the
condition of the louvres for cracking in stress areas, cracking of the
leather on the seats, condition of the headliners (waters stains, "rub"
marks from the weatherstripping), original radio (Craig on '81's),
condition of carpets (passenger side, behind seat may be damaged if the
battery has ever leaked), jack and toolkit in storage area behind grille
in luggage compartment, front and rear domelights work, DMC logo on all
glass (if not it has been replaced), rear defrost switch works (REAR DEF
on center console lights up), trip odometer reset shaft NOT broken off
and in good operating condition, fusebox covers are expensive to replace
(this falls in the "nice to have" category, rather than "have to have")
- - those are the things that immediately come to mind for me.
Keep us posted!
James
------------------------------
From: "Bob Rodgers"
Date: Wed, 02 Oct 96 10:12:15 CST
Subject: DMC Prices
I have been following DMC prices for a few years, prior to my
purchase. For those who might be interested, check my homepage at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/RSRodgers/
From the data I show there, a 'new' DMC (zero miles) is about 21K$,
and depreciation is about 10 cents/mile driven after you buy it.
BTW, I drive my DMC (now @ 58000 miles) daily to work.
Bob
Exit 8A NJ Turnpike
RSRodgers@aol.com
------------------------------
From: Blarness@aol.com
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 16:31:37 -0400
Subject: Fueling in the wind !!!!
>Not only do you have the warping problem, which I thankfully don't have
>but you cannot get gas in the rain unless you can find a covered station
>which is hard to find in the burbs of NYC.
>Regards,
>Marv
- ------------------------------
Or in wind blowing directly toward the front of the car.
It blows the hood down on top of the pump handle while
fueling. My back was turned at the time and the sound
of the hood crashing down sent visions of money floating
out of my wallet.
No damage or bent metal. Whew !
I am now more concious of this.
- -C2
VIN # 3876
------------------------------
From: Blarness@aol.com
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 16:48:11 -0400
Subject: Fueling in the wind !!!!
>Not only do you have the warping problem, which I thankfully don't have
>but you cannot get gas in the rain unless you can find a covered station
>which is hard to find in the burbs of NYC.
>Regards,
>Marv
- ------------------------------
Or in wind blowing directly toward the front of the car.
It blows the hood down on top of the pump handle while
fueling. My back was turned at the time and the sound
of the hood crashing down sent visions of money floating
out of my wallet.
No damage or bent metal. Whew !
I am now more concious of this.
- -C2
VIN # 3876
------------------------------
From: Mike Reichert
Date: Tue, 01 Oct 1996 16:08:09 -0500
Subject: (no subject)
Im planning on buying an 83 DeLorean auto. Could anyone give me some
information on basic items I should check before buying the car. Ive
been reading the mailing list for a while now and am familiar with the
some of the basic concepts of DeLorean ownership, but want ot be sure if
there is anything else I might want to know to sound like an expert and
know what Im doing before I make a deal.
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 17:58:10 -0600
Subject: Re: Fueling in the wind !!!!
>
>Or in wind blowing directly toward the front of the car.
>It blows the hood down on top of the pump handle while
>fueling. My back was turned at the time and the sound
>of the hood crashing down sent visions of money floating
>out of my wallet.
>
>No damage or bent metal. Whew !
>I am now more concious of this.
>
>-C2
>VIN # 3876
Terri Jennings sold a very simple and inexpensive device to "lock" the hood
in place. If that is no longer available, get a "U" clamp with wing nuts.
Pop it on the hood whenever it is windy or if you are working in that area.
Saves the scalp - is removable (for the purist) - is inexpensive!
Dick Ryan
The Rad Dad
------------------------------
From: "Falcon"
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 22:57:52 -0700
Subject: PVR6 Engine-Pro or Con?
I'm in the process of buying a DMC, but I wanted to know a little about the
mechanics of the vehicle. All of you owners out there, have you had many
engine troubles that have left you sitting there for months. When you need
a part, do you have to wait a long time to get it? Is the engine pretty
reliable? I went to the web page:
http://www.cs.earlham.edu/~davel/volvo/faq/engpvr6.html/
It wasn't exactly encouraging information. Can someone help me out?
- -Falcon
------------------------------
From: Scott Tester
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 1996 07:00:15 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Right Hand Drive DMC's
Does anyone know if there were any right hand drive DeLorean's? If so
how many were made and how would someone find one?
Thanks!
Scott Tester testersd@appstate.campus.mci.net
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 96 05:08:07 -0800
Subject: Re: dmc news digest
>In dmcnews-digest V2 #181 i found binaries, can you tell what application i
>need to view this data. I used a base64 decoder but he said there is no data
>to decode.
This data actually contains the same text that is in the message itself.
The individual who posted these messages had something set improperly in
their email application and has since corrected this. In other words,
nothing new was in the data, and you don't have to worry about it.
James "Mikasa" Espey
Moderator, DeLorean Mailing List
http://www.dmcnews.com
------------------------------
From: James Espey
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 96 06:24:37 -0800
Subject: Re: Right Hand Drive DMC's
I did a bit of research on RHD DeLoreans before I bought my LHD car, and
this is what I immediately can recollect at 4:00am, 1.5 years later:
DMC was in the process of creating RHD cars for those markets that
required them, but never produced any cars for retail sale. According to
what I read and what I was told, approximately 35 RHD cars were produced
during the development and at MOST a dozen still remain, the rest having
been either destroyed or disassembled.
There are SOME LHD cars that have been converted to RHD (not by DMC),
DMC-News member Yoshi Hamaie from Japan has a car like this that he (if
memory serves) bought in the UK while in school, and then sent to Ed
Bernstein for restoration/service before having it shipped back to Japan
(Yoshi, feel free to jump in on this one with details).
At the time of my search, I contacted David Howarth, then DOA chapter
coordinator in the UK, to see if he knew of any of the "factory" RHD cars
that existed and were available. He told me of at least three that he
knew of, and one that was on the market. At that time, the exchange rate
put this car in the 40,000 USD price range.
There are photos of some RHD cars in the books "DeLorean, 1977-1993" and
"DeLorean, 1977-1995 Gold Portfolio" both of which are available to
members AND non-members of the DeLorean Owners Association at
"http://www.delorean-owners.org/products/". The "Back from the Future"
video, also available from the DOA, in addition to some great footage of
the factory, test track, gold cars, etc., also shows one of the RHD cars
that was originally owned by a member of Duran Duran.
Anyone else got anything to add?
James Espey
"Growing up leads to growing old and then to dying,
and dying to me don't sound like all that much fun" - JCM, 1983
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny
Date: Thu, 03 Oct 1996 09:28:37 -0400
Subject: Re: PVR6 Engine-Pro or Con? / Right hand drive?
Falcon said:
>I went to the web page:
>http://www.cs.earlham.edu/~davel/volvo/faq/engpvr6.html/
>It wasn't exactly encouraging information. Can someone
>help me out?
I just read that page myself. Scary stuff! For myself, I have
great faith in the durability of a well-maintained DeLorean
engine. The only parts I have needed so far came from my
local autoparts store. So count me "pro."
Scott Tester asked:
>Does anyone know if there were any right hand drive
>DeLorean's?
Yes, Scott, I have seen Australian and European right-hand
drive DeLoreans in several magazines. As I recall these
were retrofitted for rhd, not built that way in the factory. I
have no idea how many there were.
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny
Date: Thu, 03 Oct 1996 11:43:11 -0400
Subject: How long do you warm-up a DeLorean?
The previous owner of my DeLorean always started it and let
it warm-up for five minutes before he drove it anywhere (or so
he claimed). This was his own idea for "protecting the
engine."
The owner's manual for my Toyota van advises me to start
the engine and let it idle for ten seconds before putting it into
gear. It explains that this will distribute oil throughout the
engine so that it will be properly lubricated before you rev it
into higher RPMs. This makes sense to me.
My DeLorean owner's manual is silent on the subject. Page
27, "Starting the Engine," seems to imply that I can just start
my DeLorean and drive immediately.
I always let my DeLorean idle for at least ten seconds before
I drive it (usually longer) but almost never for five whole
minutes. Five minutes seems quite excessive; if I start the
car twelve times (which I do in 2-3 days) that five minute
warm-up means a whole hour of wasted engine running time.
Do any of you have thoughts on this? Should I use the
engine temperature as a guide?
Thanks,
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: "Roger Huggins"
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 96 01:50:57 UT
Subject: RE: How long do you warm-up a DeLorean?
Unless there's something DeLorean-specific, (and I'm not aware of anything,)
this would be just as well answered in the general automotive sense, which
would be to warm it up for a "little while." The duration depends on your
location, the outside temperature, how long it's been since it was last run,
and where you're going to drive as soon as you pull out.
Most of the cars on the road today are equipped with some sort of temperature
compensation controls on the fuel system, which gives you a car that's pretty
driveable right from the start. Exceptions to this would include older cars
that have had devices taken off. (In my mind, I think of "older" cars as,
say, more than 30 years old.)
Where you are and what temperature it is outside has a lot to do with it. If
you live in an area where the temperature hardly ever gets below 50F, then you
don't have to wait very long. When I lived in North Dakota, where it got to
- -30F and lower, I would generally let my car warm up until a) the temperature
gauge started to move, and b) the windows were clear enough to see out of.
This would often tend to be more towards 10 minutes if it hadn't been running
in the past 3-4 hours.
Where you're going to drive has the following impact: If you're going to be
driving slowly through residential streets for the first mile or two, then you
can leave almost immediately. On the other hand, if you're going to pull out
of your driveway and get immediately on the freeway, let it warm up a little
more.
If you just shut the car off five minutes ago, you can pretty much start it up
and go.
My general rule of thumb is to start the car first, then do the mirrors, clean
the windows (if needed,) buckle the seatbelt, and go. If it's cold enough
that I need to do the windows, then the car gets the extra minute or two
required to do that, and it can probably use it. If it's not cold enough to
need to do the windows, it probably doesn't need that minute.
In conclusion, I think that letting it idle for 5 minutes at every single
start is probably a little excessive, while starting it cold and immediately
jumping on the freeway is too little. Use a little common sense, and you'll
probably do just fine.
- ----------
From: dmcnews-approval@world.std.com on behalf of Mike Substelny
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 1996 8:43 AM
To: dmcnews@world.std.com
Subject: How long do you warm-up a DeLorean?
The previous owner of my DeLorean always started it and let
it warm-up for five minutes before he drove it anywhere (or so
he claimed). This was his own idea for "protecting the
engine."
The owner's manual for my Toyota van advises me to start
the engine and let it idle for ten seconds before putting it into
gear. It explains that this will distribute oil throughout the
engine so that it will be properly lubricated before you rev it
into higher RPMs. This makes sense to me.
My DeLorean owner's manual is silent on the subject. Page
27, "Starting the Engine," seems to imply that I can just start
my DeLorean and drive immediately.
I always let my DeLorean idle for at least ten seconds before
I drive it (usually longer) but almost never for five whole
minutes. Five minutes seems quite excessive; if I start the
car twelve times (which I do in 2-3 days) that five minute
warm-up means a whole hour of wasted engine running time.
Do any of you have thoughts on this? Should I use the
engine temperature as a guide?
Thanks,
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: Blarness@aol.com
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 1996 21:59:28 -0400
Subject: List of parts for sale please.
In response to the mention of new DMC parts in original boxes:
If you have a list of parts I am almost certain to buy some.
Please respond with a posting or an email please. Thank you.
- -Chris Coplen
VIN #3876
------------------------------
From: Mpeak@aol.com
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 00:53:58 -0400
Subject: DMC & JZD article
There's an article about the Delorean and JZD in a Florida newspaper called
Boca Thursday, September 19, 1996. Call (954) 574-5318 for a back-issue.
~Matt
------------------------------
From: "Falcon"
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 1996 22:08:08 -0700
Subject: Re: DMC & JZD article
what does it talk about, basically? Is it an interview or something?
- -Falcon
- ----------
> From: Mpeak@aol.com
> To: dmcnews@world.std.com
> Subject: DMC & JZD article
> Date: Thursday, October 03, 1996 9:53 PM
>
> There's an article about the Delorean and JZD in a Florida newspaper
called
> Boca Thursday, September 19, 1996. Call (954) 574-5318 for a back-issue.
>
> ~Matt
------------------------------
From: Scott Tester
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 02:10:55 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: DeLorean Museum
When my money really starts rolling in I plan to have a museum totally
devoted to the DeLorean. I plan to have 1 Gold DMC, the Twin-Turbo
Prototype, 4 or 5 DeLoreans from 81 to 83's and a right hand drive. I would
love to get the
Wooden Mockup that was mentioned in the FAQ! All of the Back to the Future
posters and toys, there will be no fee to visit of coarse. What would be
a good location, and does anyone know what other kind of merchindise I could
get to make it complete!
The DeLorean Loon
Scott Tester testersd@appstate.campus.mci.net
------------------------------
End of dmcnews-digest V2 #182
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