What would I do? I would keep it and take my time restoring it right....It looks like you've got a nice example there. A lot of enthusiasts are trying to find one like that... even the Oct 81 production month is desirable. Then I would sell the Vette if I needed to. I've owned 2 Corvettes, and to me, Delorean ownership is much more satisfying. For example, just the other day, I was in traffic and a driver caught a glimpse of the DeLorean pulling up alongside, and he stuck his head out of his car window and while looking incredulous, mouthed "HOLY SH*T!!! "
You just don't get that kind of reaction from driving a Vette. On Autotrader today, there are 3,441 Corvettes for sale while there are 0 DeLoreans.
But, that's only my opinion. However, if you're not enthusiastic about the car, I agree with Nick, don't touch it and sell it as is. You'll only risk making things worse for the next owner.
Good luck to you.
Dana
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 (5 Speed, Gas Flap, Black Interior, Windshield Antenna, Dark Gray)
Restored as "mostly correct, but with flaws corrected". Pictures and comments of my restoration are in the albums section on my profile.
1985 Chevrolet Corvette, Z51, 4+3 manual
2006 Dodge Magnum R/T (D/D)
2010 Camaro SS (Transformers Edition)
I was in the exact same position as you a decade ago and, although I mostly agree with Dana, I have to say go for it!
I don't see the concern about you making things worse for the next owner -- Being a seasoned mechanic, you know half of the game is knowing what NOT to do. Seems obvious that you are doing your homework and have already identified the #1 thing. Not to mention you are here... To figure out what TO do boils down to one thing, K-Jet and your willingness to learn it. If you clean it up thoroughly, we can walk you through the rest.
Then comes the real decision(s) -- Will you become to love it, or hate it? If the former, how to keep it?
Short and sweet- Change out all of the fluids, disconnect the pump and get it running good enough to prove the engine and that the trans takes gear. I assume you know how to do that and will know how to proceed from there...
I do have a good Idea how to not make things worse, I won't even run the fuel pump until the system (Tank to Injectors) is clean and new filters installed. I have clean hundreds of CIS injectors so no problems there. and have overhauled plenty of calipers the rest is pretty basic except the K-JET, but that has been used on so many cars there is a lot of info. So yes I am not afraid and just because I may not get to keep it, it is still pretty dam cool just to work on it.
No mods have been done to this car that i know of, still has the plastic coolant res. I really don't want to mod or change a thing.
IMG_20190916_145602.jpgIMG_20190916_145507.jpgIMG_20190916_150542.jpg
Just a few more pictures!
Visit the sites Resource Section and download the searchable Workshop Manual if you haven't already.
Shannon Y
www.ohiodeloreans.com
www.facebook.com/ohiodeloreans
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1st angle drive - 58,027 miles (20 years) -- original
2nd angle drive - 48,489 miles (21 years) -- original from donor
3rd angle drive - 26,572 miles (2 years 3 months) -- DMCH
4th angle drive - 21,988 miles (1 year 11 months) -- DMCH
5th angle drive - 7,137 miles (10 months 2 days) -- DMCH
6th angle drive - OVER 113,704 miles and counting (OVER 13 yr 1 month & counting) -- new Martin Gutkowski unit
over 245K miles