lower engine cover hinges

[marcel]

I have looked in the how-to guides , but I can't find info on tightening the lower engine cover hinges that go into the body of the car. What do I need to do to be able to get at the nuts to tighten them up?

[jawn101]

I have looked in the how-to guides , but I can't find info on tightening the lower engine cover hinges that go into the body of the car. What do I need to do to be able to get at the nuts to tighten them up?

Take off the rear bulkhead cover on the interior of the car. Just unhook the cargo net, remove the hooks holding it to the trim panel below the rear glass. remove the rear dome light, then the trim panel, pull the carpet away. You will see brackets holding the cover in place, remove that panel. The bolts come through from the top.

http://store.delorean.com/c-319-8-7-5-general-interior-trim.aspx - you can see how it's all assembled there

[DMCH James]

Hopefully they're just loose - many times the studs are broken (hint: don't overtighten if yours aren't broken). We made repros a couple years ago if they are snapped.

James


Take off the rear bulkhead cover on the interior of the car. Just unhook the cargo net, remove the hooks holding it to the trim panel below the rear glass. remove the rear dome light, then the trim panel, pull the carpet away. You will see brackets holding the cover in place, remove that panel. The bolts come through from the top.

http://store.delorean.com/c-319-8-7-5-general-interior-trim.aspx - you can see how it's all assembled there

[Spittybug]

And when you curse and spit and makes pacts with the Devil when trying to replace the 4 screws that hold the cargo net/rear panel clips in place, consider doing the following:

Go to the nearest ACE hardware and get either threaded rod or long bolts of the same diameter as the screws and wing nuts or normal nuts to fit
Cut to length
Thread the stud into the hole - maybe a little locktite to hold them from spinning if they don't hit the fiberglass body
Put the retaining clip http://store.delorean.com/p-10085-lug-net-inner-clip.aspx on the back panel and then over the stud
Hold in place with nut or wing nut


By using a stud you can install it before trying to fit the back wall. If your foam is still in good shape it can be a bear to get that panel on. And the work angle SUCKS!

[lazabby]

And when you curse and spit and makes pacts with the Devil when trying to replace the 4 screws that hold the cargo net/rear panel clips in place, consider doing the following:

Go to the nearest ACE hardware and get either threaded rod or long bolts of the same diameter as the screws and wing nuts or normal nuts to fit
Cut to length
Thread the stud into the hole - maybe a little locktite to hold them from spinning if they don't hit the fiberglass body
Put the retaining clip http://store.delorean.com/p-10085-lug-net-inner-clip.aspx on the back panel and then over the stud
Hold in place with nut or wing nut


By using a stud you can install it before trying to fit the back wall. If your foam is still in good shape it can be a bear to get that panel on. And the work angle SUCKS!

+1. I did this. Great advice.

[marcel]

Thanks guys, for the quick responses. None of the studs were broken. They were just loose. After I put everything back together, without a hitch, did I realize that I should have put lock washers on the nuts. Oh well, when they loosen up in another 30 years, I'll do it then.

[David T]

You shouldn't "just" tighten them up. The holes in the fiberglass are elongated so you can make minor adjustments to the engine cover so it doesn't rub on the rear facia. That also affects the adjustment to the latch for the rear sunshade. I don;t think they used lock washers, I think they used internal locking star washers. Looks like a washer but with points sticking out towards the center.
David Teitelbaum




Thanks guys, for the quick responses. None of the studs were broken. They were just loose. After I put everything back together, without a hitch, did I realize that I should have put lock washers on the nuts. Oh well, when they loosen up in another 30 years, I'll do it then.