VIN 4566 Restoration

[Dan Willis]

Very kind Martin, but be careful what you offer

Another update in a mo.

[Dan Willis]

Today the tank came out. It was already toast, but I needed it out to inspect more of the frame anyway.

As you can see:
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr

Whatever is in there looks like oil (it doesn't smell of oil or fuel though) and it's never feeding this car again.

Getting it out meant I could see the front part of the frame and see if there was any obvious rust or rot (or leaking). Judging a book by its cover is dangerous, but this looks promising none the less:
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr

When the frame is off/engine is out I'll be better able to judge where it matters, but what I've seen is solid. I believe it could be left alone for some time, but that isn't the plan, nor am I in any hurry, so the frame is coming off and being made ready for the next 30+ years.

All four calipers are off now (one needed a breaker bar for the entire thread, even though I soaked it several times!), so the wheels are on so I can roll it about. This is due to some upcoming work on the garage doors that'll mean the D has to move outside for a day or two:
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean works by willisit, on Flickr

The only downside; getting the tank out meant draining the radiator (which, again, is going) and the water was mostly clean but a bit milky in places. So, next weekend, the engine gets a looksee and a turn (if it'll do so). I've already checked the oil and it's golden, so perhaps recent. That doesn't mean it wasn't nasty previously. If it is, it is. Plenty I can do back there

[Guinney1971]

great progress

[Dan Willis]

The sun was out today, and so it was time for the DeLorean to do the same. With recent work, she's been on axle stands for a while. Today, I dropped her down and wheeled her out for some work. Without brake calipers, she moved very smoothly (I just had to be careful I could stop the momentum!).

Outside:
Delorean_work_180415_001 by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Some interesting stuff today. First off, I have really only had access to one side. I got the passenger door open today and was going to replace the gas strut, but discovered this:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

That'll be an expensive fix! Oh well, when she finally gets to have her cosmetics done, it'll be on the list for Chris to fix

This door also had a piece of trim hanging off. But, by a screw and not a clip. I have no idea why people own these cars and feel it's easier to do this sort of thing, but since the interior is being retrimmed at some point, I guess it'll be okay.
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Headliner off and more.. writing of sorts:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Some pics of the poorly interior. Very much sun-damaged, along with the smashed windscreen and broken rear-view mirror. Again, all known about and I'm not bothered much. It'll all get fixed/replaced as and when it's time to do so.
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Today was, in fact, all about seeing if I could turn the engine. I took out the plugs, and disconnected what was left of the fuel system at the engine-end. Nothing worries me here, but most of the hoses are going in the bin - they are cracked or broken in places and there are few seals.
I popped off the leads and this one wasn't attached:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Luckily it's only the top:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

The rest are okay but the tips are far from consistent. This'll be an interesting build:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Flickr has a ton of pics of plugs and rats nest wiring I need to look in to - feel free to browse.

But, attach a battery, I did:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

A turn of the key and we had lights! All door lights worked, even the headlights and indicators. The wipers moved.. so all in all, it could have been worse. Then, of course, it was...

Without brakes, I used the gearbox to keep the car still. I turned the key and the bloody thing shot off! Turning off did nothing - the starter kept on going. Luckily I got it out of gear and got the battery disconnected - and when reconnected it was okay. Odd. Anyway, the engine turns quite happily (not exactly planned that way, but still).
There are electrical gremlins here - a starter that won't quit is an interesting one. It might be barrel, fuse or even relay related but I'm not looking in to that just yet.

A pretty constructive day all in. More dismantling to come as I've found a partner to get the frame off and stripped/re-coated, so it's going to be an interesting summer!

[stunned_monkey]

Rich Johnstone had a similar problem with his where the ignition, once turned on wouldn't turn off.

Any relay can latch itself on if there's a path from its output to its input. In his case it was a screw through the loom causing it.

Or it could just be the ignition switch needing a squirt of servisol super 10 :lol:

[Dan Willis]

Cheers Martin. Lots of diags to be done, so I'll do both - oil and check the loom. Ta!

[88mph]

Wow Dan, That is one hell of a project. What is the history of the car, can I ask what it cost you. Have you gat a budget and time-scale in mind?

[Dan Willis]

I've no idea on history - I've googled it and it doesn't come back with much. It was a Hawaii car - it's clearly a dry history from the underside and bolts. Most things aren't seized or rusted on, which is nice. It's just a DeLorean.

I've no budget. I could get her on the road for a few K, but I'd rather spend more and make her mine. I also didn't want a "good" one. They'll always find homes, but I wanted to bring one back to life

[Guinney1971]

I think Rissy might be able to help you with a passenger side torsion bar.

[Dan Willis]

More work:

Brakes are off for refurb or replacement:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Broken aerial is out too. It's knackered. Not entirely sure it's worth replacement, but I'll consider it nearer the completion:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Frame number (4778):
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

The engine is coming out soon and the entire exhaust system (such as it is) is going in the bin:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Accessible bottom :
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

More writing on the frame. Different the welded panel:
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

Part of the work over the weekend was removing all frame bolts. Pretty much all were hand tight. Not sure if that's normal (doubtful!):
DeLorean work by willisit, on Flickr

I'm restricting myself to 2 hours a day on this. It keeps me interested and saves me waking up the next day feeling like I've been hit by a train. So, slow progress!

Anyway, I had to stop - garage work is starting Wednesday and the car has to sit on the lawn for three days, so I can't do any more without making it impossible to move.

[Chris Hawes]

Amazing rate of progress there Dan.

Please can you PM before before discarding any of the none cracked grey trim as it may be able to live on in some guise within my car...

[Dan Willis]

I'm only doing a couple of hours on a Saturday - it's not a complicated car

Nothing is in the bin yet. I'll let you know if I dispose of anything!

[Dan Willis]

A little more work - and I mean little - as I work towards removing the body.

To be honest, time isn't on my side; but worse, space. I have options to explore but since I'm in no hurry, I'm not trying too hard to find an answer. That said, next steps are to turn the car around so the engine faces the door. It'll be easier to roll the frame out without going so high. I'll measure up though as I know plenty of people are interested.

Headlights are out - they're pretty much useless - and I want the facias off.
DeLorean works by Dan Willis, on Flickr

Lots of access now the rear is free; it's sound as well but just tired.
DeLorean works by Dan Willis, on Flickr

Always good to have earth wires. Shame most of them are hand tight or hanging off (like a lot of bolts.. scary to think what even "good" cars are like)
DeLorean works by Dan Willis, on Flickr

I'm taking a huge amount of "OHHHh so THAT'S where it goes.. " pictures. Interesting? No. Useful? Hell yes.
DeLorean works by Dan Willis, on Flickr

Stiff and in need of a good greasing. Ahem.
DeLorean works by Dan Willis, on Flickr

One of the better pieces.
DeLorean works by Dan Willis, on Flickr

Hopefully some more pics/info soon on the body work.

[88mph]

Well done Dan, love a good resto thread.

[Chris P]

Yes indeed Dan, good job you've been there before and are not fazed by any of it.

I must admit, if it was me, i'd probably leave the body of the frame, unless there was a good reason to remove it.