Buying parts for my Delorean

[jlaviola]

I have some parts to buy for my 1981 Delorean and as I see it the best places to get them are from DMC, Special T, and Delorean industries? Are parts better from one place or another. For example, Special T says their VCG are better than DMC because they are thicker? Any thoughts on this as a general rule of thumb?

Thanks,

jlaviola

[Morpheus]

What is VCG? Valve Cover Gaskets?

You will find that the vendors all have their own strengths and weaknesses. DMCH and its affiliates are the main source of NOS parts, where independent vendors such as PJ Grady, DeLorean Industries, and SpecialTAuto offer things that DMCH doesn't. For example, sometimes buying NOS rubber parts like A/C lines is not the best option if you are converting to R134a. In that case, you would probably want newer barrier hoses from one of the independent guys.

Prices can vary as well. The best thing you can do is to shop around and find the best option for the task at hand. One thing that all the vendors share is the capacity for technical assistance if you need it when installing a part.

If you search the forum, you will likely find several threads related to the job you are doing, and can glean some good information that way.

[jlaviola]

What is VCG? Valve Cover Gaskets?

You will find that the vendors all have their own strengths and weaknesses. DMCH and its affiliates are the main source of NOS parts, where independent vendors such as PJ Grady, DeLorean Industries, and SpecialTAuto offer things that DMCH doesn't. For example, sometimes buying NOS rubber parts like A/C lines is not the best option if you are converting to R134a. In that case, you would probably want newer barrier hoses from one of the independent guys.

Prices can vary as well. The best thing you can do is to shop around and find the best option for the task at hand. One thing that all the vendors share is the capacity for technical assistance if you need it when installing a part.

If you search the forum, you will likely find several threads related to the job you are doing, and can glean some good information that way.


Yes, Valve cover gaskets.

[Rich]

It's a decent list so far. I've used almost all of those and some others as well. Have yet to receive a substandard part from anybody.

Add P.J. Grady to the list of first-call vendors.
Don't look for a big online catalog yet. Phone them instead.

Your question about who sells 'best parts' is difficult to answer. Very subjective.

[jlaviola]

It's a decent list so far. I've used almost all of those and some others as well. Have yet to receive a substandard part from anybody.

Add P.J. Grady to the list of first-call vendors.
Don't look for a big online catalog yet. Phone them instead.

Your question about who sells 'best parts' is difficult to answer. Very subjective.

Well, I hear a lot about how some of the parts from DMC are old and have been sitting in a warehouse for years so you should go to other places where the parts are newer or are better made. I am just trying to feel my way. In this case, I need an oil pressure sensor, engine mounts, an oil sender and the valve cover gaskets. I need some oil filters too. Special T seems to have the best deal on those, tho (6 for $30).

[Dangermouse]

OP - you will normally get a larger response if you post questions in the General Discussion area as many forum members will only check that sub-forum first.

The FAQ subforum, like the FAQ section on any other website is to look up answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" not to ask fresh ones

[Rich_NYS]

Well, I hear a lot about how some of the parts from DMC are old and have been sitting in a warehouse for years so you should go to other places where the parts are newer or are better made. I am just trying to feel my way. In this case, I need an oil pressure sensor, engine mounts, an oil sender and the valve cover gaskets. I need some oil filters too. Special T seems to have the best deal on those, tho (6 for $30).

I haven't yet ordered from Special T; although I've heard a mixture of good and bad reviews, I also haven't heard of him offering any support to the owners. If you're a new owner, it's extremely helpful to get a little extra help if/when you're not sure about something. DMC Midwest, Rob Grady, and DPI Josh are [I think] the three most popular and I've found them all to be very nice & helpful. Saving a few dollars is not always good value, I usually only pay attention on "big-ticket" items. I'll share a wordy example after this thread gets moved....

In reference to old parts: I stay away from NOS plastic or rubber whenever possible, but not all the DMC parts are old....they have a lot of "new replacement" parts. For example: DMCMW's cooling hose kit is new stuff...

[cdrusn]

I would say that between DMCH and Special T (now called Delorean Auto Parts) you can get any available part. So it's a matter of taste in some cases, DMCH sells seat covers with wrinkles sewn into the seams while DAP is more of the original pattern and also has two tone and even alligator covers. I find DAP to have items not sold by DMCH such as 2 piece a/c hoses, recovered binnacles, heavy duty radiators all metal, new style relays, go to their website and look through. As far as over the phone help no one beats John Hervey he will blast you with information of things to try, he has helped me several times but in fairness I never called DMCH. :race:

[aotmfilms]

DMCH and DMCMW, never steered me wrong. I have some Special T parts from the previous owner (I'm the 2nd owner), and those parts, both on and off the car look to be pretty good.

But like others have said, it's all subjective. For me, I don't let price sway me. With this car you pay for the best that you can get, It will save you more pain down the road. Also having a good dry storage place helps to store the car in.

--Doug

[RiceJB21]

DO NOT BUY FROM SPECIAL T AUTO, you have been warned..

[Michael]

DO NOT BUY FROM SPECIAL T AUTO, you have been warned..

+1

[louielouie2000]

DMCH sells seat covers with wrinkles sewn into the seams while DAP is more of the original pattern

Actually, you have it backwards: DAP/Special T is the one who got the original look wrong. All production DeLoreans came from the factory with rippled leather seats. In fact, the Visioneering and Pilot DeLoreans all had rippled seats, too. This rippled look carries over to the vinyl on the console, knee pads, door cards, and even the interior door grab handles. If you look at some very low mileage DeLoreans which haven't sat out in the sun, some still have their rippled NOS seats. The ripple effect has disappeared on most DeLorean leather seats because the leather dried out and shrank with age, tightening out the ripples. Here's some historic documentation to back this up:

http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/prop/brochures/bro2b1x1.jpg
http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/motortrend/mtart21x1.jpg
http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/roadandtrack/rtart41x1.jpg
http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/caranddriver/cdmay81c1x1.jpg

[David T]

DO NOT BUY FROM SPECIAL T AUTO, you have been warned..

Go back and reread post #2. Each vendor has their strengths and weaknesses. Having more than 1 vendor to go to helps to keep ALL of them honest. Not everyone has had a good experience with every vendor but each serves a purpose.

[81dmc]

DO NOT BUY FROM SPECIAL T AUTO, you have been warned..

+1

+1

Stay away from John, and all will be fine.

[bfloyd]

I've gotten parts from just about all of the vendors with the exception of PJ Grady, so I can't speak of them. I have dealt with DMCH, DMCMW, SpecialTAuto and Delorean Performance Industries, and have received a varying levels of service (both good and bad) from just about each of them.

MOST of the time if I need a particular part, I'll browse through several vendors websites to compare parts and prices and just click the button. There are times where I just don't want to talk on the phone, shoot the bull, etc., I just want the part. If the vendor doesn't have the particular part I need on their website, I'll choose another vendor until I find it. If the vendor doesn't have an updated website with a parts section where I can order from, it's highly unlikely I'll ever order anything from them.
If I do happen to call a vendor to order a part, the person answering the phone can either totally make or break the sale for me too. Ashley at Special T - absolutely perfect. Suzy at DMCMidwest - amazing. Josh @ DPI, (when you can get him) has always been willing to help and often goes the extra mile when he has the time available. Cocky dude on the phone @ DMCH parts... not so much.

Several of our private vendors seem to be a "one man band" type of operation. Nothing particularly wrong with that, but in our society where we expect things like customer service to be almost instantaneous, a lack of returned phone calls, emails, and general lack of communication can destroy a vendors credibility with me in an instant, and we as customers remember that shit.

Several folks mention having a hard time dealing with John from Special T Auto, however I never have. I've bought my water pump, injectors, brake calipers, brake lines, master cylinder, A/C condenser, frequency valve rebuild and warm up regulator rebuilds from him and all have performed flawlessly. His website is pretty much no-nonsense, straight to the point and makes it very easy to order from. I had one issue with a brake line fitting that snapped off during installation, and he replaced it no questions asked. He is VERY talkative on the phone and sometimes can come across as a "Get off my Lawn" type of guy, but he has been very helpful to me and I will continue to buy parts from him as needed.

Like someone else said, each of the vendors are different, but each serves a purpose and seem to excel in that particular quality.

[ILM1010]

Special T auto is a terrible place to call, buy, or chat with. Redneck garbage

Go thru DMCMW or DMCH, they know their stuff, and Mike is awesome at DMCMW

[Soundkillr]

You have no idea how many people I have argued with over this very issue. I had one guy go so far as to call me a liar even after I showed him old stock photos and photos of mint low mileage cars. I can't understand why some people insist the seats are supposed to be tight in the center.


Actually, you have it backwards: DAP/Special T is the one who got the original look wrong. All production DeLoreans came from the factory with rippled leather seats. In fact, the Visioneering and Pilot DeLoreans all had rippled seats, too. This rippled look carries over to the vinyl on the console, knee pads, door cards, and even the interior door grab handles. If you look at some very low mileage DeLoreans which haven't sat out in the sun, some still have their rippled NOS seats. The ripple effect has disappeared on most DeLorean leather seats because the leather dried out and shrank with age, tightening out the ripples. Here's some historic documentation to back this up:

http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/prop/brochures/bro2b1x1.jpg
http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/motortrend/mtart21x1.jpg
http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/roadandtrack/rtart41x1.jpg
http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/caranddriver/cdmay81c1x1.jpg

[sdg3205]

You have no idea how many people I have argued with over this very issue. I had one guy go so far as to call me a liar even after I showed him old stock photos and photos of mint low mileage cars. I can't understand why some people insist the seats are supposed to be tight in the center.

My car sat out in the desert in Gilbert AZ for a number of years. By the time I found it, the seat leather was so dry and shrunken it was like saran-wrap over a bowl of hot gravy. Nothing can bring that kind of weathering back from the dead.

[David T]

My car sat out in the desert in Gilbert AZ for a number of years. By the time I found it, the seat leather was so dry and shrunken it was like saran-wrap over a bowl of hot gravy. Nothing can bring that kind of weathering back from the dead.

Try Leatherique Rejuvinator, you have nothing to lose.

[sdg3205]

Try Leatherique Rejuvinator, you have nothing to lose.

I did. I was committed. I took out the seats, put them in the bathtub, hotboxed the bathroom and applied the entire bottle (1 quart?) over several days. They cleaned up fairly well but the leather was beyond saving. Eventually they tore.

[David T]

I did. I was committed. I took out the seats, put them in the bathtub, hotboxed the bathroom and applied the entire bottle (1 quart?) over several days. They cleaned up fairly well but the leather was beyond saving. Eventually they tore.

Well then they must have been REALLY bad! I have used that stuff on leather that was more like cardboard than leather and it worked.

[chris williams]

Like most have commented, I have bought from DPI/SpecialT/DMCH/PJ Grady/DPNW/ with no problems, despite what problems some others have. Don't forget there is also other parts suppliers such as Ed @ Delorean.eu/the german delorean club/eurotec forum and our club. All provide some unique parts and solutions. Clearly you need to factor in shipping and any import duties but there are lots of options out there for you.
Chris