List of typical upgrades, repairs that need to be done on a car that hasn't been used

[SupercoolBill]

Hey guys. Maybe this has already been done, heck I think I may have even started a thread somewhere before.

I have been frustrated on multiple occasions when people get all bent out of shape when I try to warn a perspective new owner about how many issues these cars have and how much time and money a new owner is going to spend ESPECIALLY on a barn find, a "cheap" Delorean, or a seemingly "mint" low mileage Delorean.

I wish I would have known before I bought a Delorean how many things need to be replaced. Even with everything my wife and I have done on our car we still have a big list. Things like: do lock actuators, door locks module, window motors, roof box rivets or bolts to secure the roof box down, lift pistons reinforcements, etc.

I would like to make a list, maybe turn it into an excel spreadsheet at some point.
Categories-
-Early Delorean specific issues that need to be addressed (if nobody has done it already)
-Must do upgrades/mods on all Deloreans (example- alternator replacement)
-Recommended upgrades/mods on all Deloreans
-Upgrades/Mods that make the car: nicer to drive, perform better, look better, etc. Wants not needs but most people end up doing them.

For each upgrade/mod we could have estimated labor hours and parts cost.





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[jackb]

The cars are over 40 years old and have all had very different histories, number of owners, or use. There is no ?typical?. There is ?learn about your car and figure it out along the way?.
The closest thing to figuring it out in advance is comparing the potential purchase to ?the stainless steel buyers guide? book.

[Timeless]

I feel your frustration as I love to assist new/potential owners about what is required for these cars to drive/run reliably but some push back in a negative manner. I do get appreciation from the ones I meet at car shows that are truly interested in the brand. They seem to listen to the things I advise like the common 3: roof box, frame, TABs. Even with low miles, the car I bought sat for 20 years after a stage 2 in Houston.

I own a 'barn find' extreme low mileage example. After ~2 years of work it's finally road worthy with great A/C, EFI reliability/drivability, updated suspension, LEDs, roof box bolted, plus some cosmetic items. It starts and goes every time. It now gets driven and if any issues arise I tackle them as needed the proper way with the proper components. Next up: fascia repaint, Miata front brakes.
718957189671897


Very happy after a 20 year search to get the late '81 I was looking for and overall in excellent condition - even original fascia paint. Here is the interior the day I got it.
71894

I could email you a list of everything I have done and replaced if that will help. I like your idea about the the must do item list.

[SupercoolBill]

The cars are over 40 years old and have all had very different histories, number of owners, or use. There is no ?typical?. There is ?learn about your car and figure it out along the way?.
The closest thing to figuring it out in advance is comparing the potential purchase to ?the stainless steel buyers guide? book.I have to say I disagree. There are many upgrades/repairs that every car needs if it has never been done regardless of the history.

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[David T]

You basically have to go over EVERY system on the car. Some require more work than others. Systems containing fluids seem to be the most vulnerable to damage like the brakes, clutch, fuel, and coolant. There are also parts that "age out" like tires, wiper blades, rubber seals, headliner, and battery. You usually also have to decontaminate the car. Then there will always be stuff to do because it was just sitting like broken glass, scratched up panels, etc. Talk to the vendors and they can tell you all of the parts you will need and YES you WILL need to replace them all! And parts aren't getting any cheaper and cross/over parts are getting rarer and rarer. Between the expense of the parts (and labor if you hire it out) and all of the time it will take, that "barn find" can cost as much as a nice, running Delorean right now! The days of finding a barn find under $10K seem to be over. In this regard a Delorean is not that much different than any other old, neglected car. The one major difference is paint. Even the most neglected Delorean can be made to look presentable by just cleaning up the S/S panels. Just don't forget to see how much of the frame is still there!

[Emit]

You basically have to go over EVERY system on the car. Some require more work than others. Systems containing fluids seem to be the most vulnerable to damage like the brakes, clutch, fuel, and coolant. There are also parts that "age out" like tires, wiper blades, rubber seals, headliner, and battery. You usually also have to decontaminate the car. Then there will always be stuff to do because it was just sitting like broken glass, scratched up panels, etc. Talk to the vendors and they can tell you all of the parts you will need and YES you WILL need to replace them all! And parts aren't getting any cheaper and cross/over parts are getting rarer and rarer. Between the expense of the parts (and labor if you hire it out) and all of the time it will take, that "barn find" can cost as much as a nice, running Delorean right now! The days of finding a barn find under $10K seem to be over. In this regard a Delorean is not that much different than any other old, neglected car. The one major difference is paint. Even the most neglected Delorean can be made to look presentable by just cleaning up the S/S panels. Just don't forget to see how much of the frame is still there!

I have a barn find that I did recently over about 18 months - think sitting in a ditch, anything steel was rusty or missing, bottom of engine disintegrated. There wasn't one thing on that car that didn't need replacement, drilling out, blow torching, hammering, grinding. I have a spreadsheet I kept to track the progress and the final cost of parts was about four times my wildest estimate.

Here is my list of what I needed to do to get it back on the road:


Anything rubber, all seals, hoses and pipes - associated fasteners
Entire brake system, end-to-end minus the caliper bodies
Entire clutch system
Most of the cooling system
Entire fuel system, minus the tank
Entire suspension: springs shocks, front control arms, TAB
Steering rack and a bunch of associated bushings and bits
All lights - nothing worked
All struts (that was my first job)
Exhaust
Gearbox needed the roll pins done
All gearbox linkages
I rebuilt my engine - heads off, VOD, timing chains, piston rings, bearings, WUR, so much jettronic stuff etc.
Mounts
Alternator, battery and wiring work
Various fuses/relays
Windscreen
Wipers
Mirrors
Power windows
Blower motor, resistor pack
Horn
Rebuilt and repainted the facias (lots of hardware there)
Headliners
Door cards and linkages


Still I need to do the AC (replace everything), seat covers have rotted off and numerous things are leaking!

This is to say nothing of the incredible work Chris N. did on the body, it had hail and crash damage, and he replaced huge sections of the rotted frame.

I saved very little money, if any, by getting a barnfind. BUT If I had to go back in time (no pun intended) I wouldn't have spent the money on a great example, I really enjoyed doing this and I know the car inside-out :)

[Timeless]

There are many upgrades/repairs that every car needs if it has never been done regardless of the history.
example: roof box. Unless it has already been replaced with a new SS box.

[SupercoolBill]

example: roof box. Unless it has already been replaced with a new SS box.Yeah or the car has literally never been outdoors.

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[Helirich]

When people ask me about these cars, they are always put off when I tell them it?s better to get a high mileage car than one with 30,000 miles or less. I mean really, on a 40 year old car, 100,000 miles is not high mileage. If it?s been driven, the owners had to do stuff.

[SupercoolBill]

When people ask me about these cars, they are always put off when I tell them it?s better to get a high mileage car than one with 30,000 miles or less. I mean really, on a 40 year old car, 100,000 miles is not high mileage. If it?s been driven, the owners had to do stuff.Yup

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[SupercoolBill]

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