Crack in louvers

[SBL]

My engine cover has a crack in it at the place where the louver (the top one) connects to the vertical piece that goes down the middle. See first picture. I made a bracket (second picture) which would require one visible hole to be drilled on the louver. The bracket would go upwards with the other end and a hole being behind the louver as shown (third picture). I hope I explained this well enough. The weak part of this is that the top part of the bracket attaches to relatively thin material. Anyway, before I do this I wanted to check with the group wisdom.

604036040260401

[Michael]

Glue the mating surfaces with good epoxy and add a pair of these:

https://www.deloreango.com/us/sunshade-louvre-reinforcement-strip-set-late-reinforcement-bracket.html

I like those over the DMC offering as the DMCH is only a single piece where these form a "sandwich" ...not as attractive but they can be painted black

[SBL]

I can't quite see how these fit. But I assume that you do not drill the hole on the top of the louvers, so that is good. Do you have a picture of it on your car?

It need to "pull up" the louver. I guess I worry that if the fit isn't perfect then I am left with more or less the same problem.

[Michael]

.... Do you have a picture of it on your car?

No, mine isn't broke :tongue_stick:

[Michael]

Here you go. I was waiting for this member to respond himself but here is is very comprehensive writeup with pics of the installation.

http://www.awildermode.com/2014/04/delorean-louvre-reinforment-strips.html?m=1

[eight8toy]

I have the DMCH support bar. It's nice and painted black to match but I do wish it had two pieces to sandwich the louvre. You have to drill the holes which is a tight fit so a normal size drill doesn't work well. I used my dremel to make the holes, pretty easy.

I agree with Michael, epoxy that part back and then pick up either support bracket and install it.

Oh ya, if you get the DMCH one, I'd recommend spray painting the screws black or something since they come unpainted and sort of ruin the clean look of the all black Louvre and support bar.

[SS Spoiler]

My louver had a bad break about midway, so I had
a friend who is a precision sheet metal worker fold a
32" by 6" piece of stainless in half with a 1/4" gap.
After notching it to fit the zig zag louvers it slipped
neatly into place hiding behind the flat vertical tabs
of the center rib. It does add weight but I'm using
a support rod to hold my SS spoiler and the engine
cover.....



lonely guy in Montana

[David T]

The repair of the rear sunshade, aka rear louvre, is pretty straightforward. Instead of epoxy a better repair is fiberglass and the addition of the metal "sandwich" or plates will keep it from breaking again. To keep it from happening in the first place (if your sunshade is not broken yet) is to always lift and lower the sunshade evenly so it doesn't twist. and not let it slam down. If the struts are weak they should be replaced. I have seen weak struts that could hold it up but with a gust of wind it gets twisted and slammed down and can crack. With the addition of the plates additional weight, weak struts may not be any good at all.

[SBL]

Got it.

[Michael]

Got it.

I have to admit, I LOL'd when I read that reply.