Fuel tank closing plate

[marcel]

I'm removing all the undercoating off my 1983. I cleaned up the fuel tank closing plate and am ready to reinstall it. I'm going to buy new bolts and washers. The parts manual says there is a washer and bolt, but my car has a bolt, two washers and a lock washer on all 19 spots. Does it need two washers and a lock washer?

[DMCMW Dave]

I'm removing all the undercoating off my 1983. I cleaned up the fuel tank closing plate and am ready to reinstall it. I'm going to buy new bolts and washers. The parts manual says there is a washer and bolt, but my car has a bolt, two washers and a lock washer on all 19 spots. Does it need two washers and a lock washer?

It varies. The important thing is that the bolts don't go in so far as to poke holes in the A/C lines. If yours had all the washers and you decide to leave them out, the bolts will project farther. Structurally it makes no difference.

[Hokie]

It varies. The important thing is that the bolts don't go in so far as to poke holes in the A/C lines. If yours had all the washers and you decide to leave them out, the bolts will project farther. Structurally it makes no difference.

+1 on this. I just my plate pulled and they all had a washer and a lock washer EXCEPT for two of the bolts. The mechanic threw all of them haphazardly into a pan and laughed, explaining to me that it was overkill and not needed and that he would not reinstall the lock washers. I had already has a discussion with the owner of the garage, and provided written instructions, that I wanted each nut and bolt replaced into the exact hole they came out of. This was passed on to the mechanic, but he ignored it. After I showed him the A/C lines and how they rest directly onto the welded on nuts, he had his "ah-ha" moment. Bottom line, there are only two spots at the front of the plate that do not have an A/C line resting on top, so we are assuming that my two bolts without the lock washers go there, and the rest with the lock washers go down the sides. As a side note, each exotic car is quirky and owners share information with each other and thus we help each other prevent mistakes. Try to share your knowledge with a mechanic, and it's in one ear and out the other, even if they've never worked on a D in their life. As soon as you leave they are going to do whatever the heck they've always done to any other car. And they'll swear they have the original repair manuals at their disposal, don't worry about a thing, etc. etc. It's getting to be where it seems you can't trust anyone in the world anymore...

[David T]

+1 on this. I just my plate pulled and they all had a washer and a lock washer EXCEPT for two of the bolts. The mechanic threw all of them haphazardly into a pan and laughed, explaining to me that it was overkill and not needed and that he would not reinstall the lock washers. I had already has a discussion with the owner of the garage, and provided written instructions, that I wanted each nut and bolt replaced into the exact hole they came out of. This was passed on to the mechanic, but he ignored it. After I showed him the A/C lines and how they rest directly onto the welded on nuts, he had his "ah-ha" moment. Bottom line, there are only two spots at the front of the plate that do not have an A/C line resting on top, so we are assuming that my two bolts without the lock washers go there, and the rest with the lock washers go down the sides. As a side note, each exotic car is quirky and owners share information with each other and thus we help each other prevent mistakes. Try to share your knowledge with a mechanic, and it's in one ear and out the other, even if they've never worked on a D in their life. As soon as you leave they are going to do whatever the heck they've always done to any other car. And they'll swear they have the original repair manuals at their disposal, don't worry about a thing, etc. etc. It's getting to be where it seems you can't trust anyone in the world anymore...


When a mechanic (a GOOD mechanic) takes things apart he usually makes note of the length of the bolts and makes some kind of a note if they are not all the same length. If they are all the same length no one will go through the trouble of labeling each bolt to put it back in the same hole. Likewise for the washers. Sloppy mechanics will lose stuff and not put every bolt and washer back. Auto body guys are the worst. They throw all of the hardware into a box and guess what went where when they try to reassemble. A good mechanic will at least try to group them together into coffee cups or something. Unless you are doing a high quality restoration it just takes too much time to inventory each bolt, nut, and washer. That bottom plate is part of the structure and adds rigidity to the frame besides keeping the fuel tank from falling on the floor. The lock washers take up some of the length of the bolt and help to keep them form loosening up. The washers spread the force and prevent damage to the paint surface of the plate. There is a reason for EVERY part in a car. If the manufacturer could save 10 washers on each car it adds up.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

There is no shortage of hack mechanics, shady salesmen, and pushy "closers" in the automotive field just as there is in the world at large. But as in every field in the range of human endeaver if you look hard and far enough you can always find some good people.
Rob


+1 on this. I just my plate pulled and they all had a washer and a lock washer EXCEPT for two of the bolts. The mechanic threw all of them haphazardly into a pan and laughed, explaining to me that it was overkill and not needed and that he would not reinstall the lock washers. I had already has a discussion with the owner of the garage, and provided written instructions, that I wanted each nut and bolt replaced into the exact hole they came out of. This was passed on to the mechanic, but he ignored it. After I showed him the A/C lines and how they rest directly onto the welded on nuts, he had his "ah-ha" moment. Bottom line, there are only two spots at the front of the plate that do not have an A/C line resting on top, so we are assuming that my two bolts without the lock washers go there, and the rest with the lock washers go down the sides. As a side note, each exotic car is quirky and owners share information with each other and thus we help each other prevent mistakes. Try to share your knowledge with a mechanic, and it's in one ear and out the other, even if they've never worked on a D in their life. As soon as you leave they are going to do whatever the heck they've always done to any other car. And they'll swear they have the original repair manuals at their disposal, don't worry about a thing, etc. etc. It's getting to be where it seems you can't trust anyone in the world anymore...

[Hokie]

There is no shortage of hack mechanics, shady salesmen, and pushy "closers" in the automotive field just as there is in the world at large. But as in every field in the range of human endeaver if you look hard and far enough you can always find some good people.
Rob

Indeed, with "far" being a huge impediment to me. I've said it before on this forum but I'll say it again, Charlotte is ideally located; close to the mountains and close to the ocean. Located in the Piedmont Region of the US, which is known for having the most well defined seasons of the year. PJ Grady definitely needs a south-central location! :) Or someone does... anyone? :)

[David T]

Indeed, with "far" being a huge impediment to me. I've said it before on this forum but I'll say it again, Charlotte is ideally located; close to the mountains and close to the ocean. Located in the Piedmont Region of the US, which is known for having the most well defined seasons of the year. PJ Grady definitely needs a south-central location! :) Or someone does... anyone? :)

Unfortunately not everyone graduates at the top of their class.

Question, "What do you call a medical student that graduates at the bottom of their Class?"

Answer "Doctor".!!!!!!!!!

This is one big reason many Delorean owners try to do some of their own work and why we offer advice on this forum to assist them. Even if you can't do the work at least you will have an understanding and an appreciation of what needs to be done. As for the arrogance among mechanics, it is not limited to them. You can see it all the time in any profession from doctors to lawyers to teachers, electricians, plumbers, etc. It is necessary for you to understand what needs to be done so you can judge the quality of the work so when you DO find a good guy you will know it. Price alone is not always the way to decide if anyone is good. I encourage you to "get your hands dirty" and try a simple job to build confidence and do some of your own work. Especially if you do not have a good shop nearby. Every shop is only as good as it's worst mechanic on a bad day.

[Hokie]

Unfortunately not everyone graduates at the top of their class.

Question, "What do you call a medical student that graduates at the bottom of their Class?"

Answer "Doctor".!!!!!!!!!

This is one big reason many Delorean owners try to do some of their own work and why we offer advice on this forum to assist them. Even if you can't do the work at least you will have an understanding and an appreciation of what needs to be done. As for the arrogance among mechanics, it is not limited to them. You can see it all the time in any profession from doctors to lawyers to teachers, electricians, plumbers, etc. It is necessary for you to understand what needs to be done so you can judge the quality of the work so when you DO find a good guy you will know it. Price alone is not always the way to decide if anyone is good. I encourage you to "get your hands dirty" and try a simple job to build confidence and do some of your own work. Especially if you do not have a good shop nearby. Every shop is only as good as it's worst mechanic on a bad day.

True that. The owner of the shop introduced a 21 year veteran employee with DeLorean experience as being the person who would work on my car. The actual mechanic they used has only been there two years, and didn't bother reading the detailed description of work requested. A repair shop is much like a child day care center: if you think for a second that anyone there is going to care for your car/child the way you would or even the way you've instructed, you're just kidding yourself.

[Delorean Industries]

How did this end up Hokie?

[Hokie]

How did this end up Hokie?

Car was supposed to be finished no later than today. Oil change and lube, brake and clutch fluid service, alignment of headlights, angle drive replacement, closing plate stripping and repainting, A/C service/repair as needed. Maybe I'll get it back next week. (Heavy sigh) I've visited the car twice and it's filthy with all the shop dust on it. I continually ask them to flip the battery disconnect when they park it but they don't. They have told me that they went through the AC and can't find a single flaw anywhere. They are continuing to monitor it but so far all tests and readings show a perfectly operating system. I'm at loss for words about all that.... It sort of feels like I've had a pet at the vet for two weeks. Guess I'm more attached to this car than I realized. Can't imagine how so many owners send theirs off for work for 1 to 2 years or more. I would be bouncing off the walls.

[Delorean Industries]

Well if you brought it in for air conditioning concerns that were present... Eh not sure what to say there. I know where you are coming from on the rest of the statement.