Working On the DeLorean
The DeLorean needs routine maintenance and the occasional, more significant refurbishing. Beyond that there are also a number of customizations and upgrades to improve performance, reliability and functionality.
My DeLorean requires quite a lot of upkeep. I've found that many sources for repairs and maintenance assume a fair bit of mechanics knowledge already, or that you've done something like this before, which isn't very helpful if you’re new to this.
I decided to document everything I do on the car in as much detail as possible to help out others who might be trying to do something for the first time. These aren't necessarily the best ways to do things, but they're what worked for me. I make sure to include the mistakes and troubles I had along the way, since that’s often more informative than the actual steps themselves.
Complete List of All Repairs, Maintenance & Upgrade Posts
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May 2024
- May 1, 2024 Adjustable Upper Link Arms May 1, 2024
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October 2023
- Oct 31, 2023 T-Panel Rattle Oct 31, 2023
- Oct 29, 2023 The Shea's Gold DeLorean Oct 29, 2023
- Oct 21, 2023 Steering Wheel Rattle Oct 21, 2023
- Oct 20, 2023 LED Headlight Conversion Oct 20, 2023
- Oct 14, 2023 Rear Shock Tower Reinforcement Oct 14, 2023
- Oct 3, 2023 Driving to DCS 2023 Oct 3, 2023
- Oct 2, 2023 MagSafe Ashtray Puck Holder Oct 2, 2023
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September 2023
- Sep 16, 2023 Repairing a Seized Brake Caliper Sep 16, 2023
- Sep 8, 2023 Disintegrated Cat and Building a New, Quiet Exhaust Sep 8, 2023
- Sep 3, 2023 New Rear KWs and a Rusted Out Trailing Arm Sep 3, 2023
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August 2023
- Aug 26, 2023 Beefing Up the Front Suspension Aug 26, 2023
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May 2023
- May 24, 2023 Windshield Washer Issues: Upgrading the Nozzles and Fixing the Bottle May 24, 2023
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February 2023
- Feb 28, 2023 So Many Exhaust Leaks Feb 28, 2023
- Feb 1, 2023 3D Printed Throttle Position Sensor Mount Feb 1, 2023
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January 2023
- Jan 7, 2023 Transmission Linkage Failures Jan 7, 2023
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December 2022
- Dec 4, 2022 Leaking Coolant Pipe from Bad Hose Routing Dec 4, 2022
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October 2022
- Oct 31, 2022 Painting the Windshield Trim Oct 31, 2022
- Oct 12, 2022 Replacing a Stuck O2 Sensor Oct 12, 2022
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October 2021
- Oct 22, 2021 Broken Alternator Mounting Bolt Oct 22, 2021
- Oct 10, 2021 Front Lower Arm Support Braces Oct 10, 2021
- Oct 9, 2021 Power Window Regulator Replacement Oct 9, 2021
- Oct 9, 2021 Cooling Fan to Radiator Sealing Oct 9, 2021
- Oct 9, 2021 Tinted Windows Oct 9, 2021
- Oct 6, 2021 Installing an Eagle Starter Oct 6, 2021
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September 2021
- Sep 22, 2021 Small Things: Fuel Filter, Seat Belt Orientation and Oil Sender Sep 22, 2021
- Sep 20, 2021 Losing a Ball Joint Nut on the Highway Sep 20, 2021
- Sep 18, 2021 Front Suspension Bushings and Ball Joints Sep 18, 2021
- Sep 5, 2021 Broken Throttle Cable on the Highway Sep 5, 2021
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August 2021
- Aug 15, 2021 Cooling Fan Failure Aug 15, 2021
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July 2021
- Jul 5, 2021 Recovering the seats with covers from LSeat Jul 5, 2021
- Jul 5, 2021 Engine cutting out, and a broken trailing arm mount bolt Jul 5, 2021
- Jul 4, 2021 Steering Rack, Shaft and Bushing Replacement Jul 4, 2021
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June 2021
- Jun 25, 2021 Rusted Front Frame Extension Jun 25, 2021
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May 2021
- May 23, 2021 A Better Alternator Tensioning Bracket May 23, 2021
- May 8, 2021 Noise from the Engine Bay May 8, 2021
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March 2021
- Mar 13, 2021 Radio Upgrade: From Double-DIN to Remote Screen Mar 13, 2021
- Mar 7, 2021 Transmission Dipstick Tube Leaks Mar 7, 2021
- Mar 7, 2021 Driver's Door Lights Stopped Working Mar 7, 2021
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January 2021
- Jan 8, 2021 Oil Changes, Sender Leak and Transmission Cable Bracket Jan 8, 2021
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November 2020
- Nov 21, 2020 Better Luggage Lighting Nov 21, 2020
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June 2020
- Jun 1, 2020 Stuck in Park: Transmission Linkage Bracket Jun 1, 2020
- Jun 1, 2020 Stuck at the Store: Building a MegaSquirt Sled Jun 1, 2020
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February 2020
- Feb 29, 2020 Automatic Transmission Reseal Feb 29, 2020
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January 2020
- Jan 19, 2020 3D Printed Louver Striker Jan 19, 2020
- Jan 12, 2020 LED Taillights Jan 12, 2020
- Jan 4, 2020 Tail Light Terminal Strip Jan 4, 2020
- Jan 4, 2020 Engine Bay Lighting Jan 4, 2020
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September 2019
- Sep 29, 2019 Digital Speedometer Sep 29, 2019
- Sep 2, 2019 MegaSquirt A/C Idle Up Modification Sep 2, 2019
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August 2019
- Aug 30, 2019 Door Strikers and an Oil Change Aug 30, 2019
- Aug 11, 2019 Converting the A/C from R12 to R134a: Reassembly and Installation Aug 11, 2019
- Aug 11, 2019 Converting the A/C from R12 to R134a: Parts and Disassembly Aug 11, 2019
- Aug 6, 2019 Yet More Issues: Alternator, Water Pump, Fuel Pump, Sway Bar and Coolant Temperature Aug 6, 2019
- Aug 4, 2019 Exhaust Noise, Transmission Leaks, Spark Plugs, IAC Adjustment, and Blower Motor Replacement Aug 4, 2019
- Aug 4, 2019 Coolant Gauge, Fuel Light, Bad Wiring, Power Inverter and Battery Tender Aug 4, 2019
- Aug 3, 2019 DeLorean UK's Big Brakes Aug 3, 2019
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February 2019
- Feb 10, 2019 A Few Weeks of Driving, Small Issues To Fix Feb 10, 2019
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January 2019
- Jan 6, 2019 TunerStudio Settings and Tables Jan 6, 2019
- Jan 6, 2019 Fixing First Drive Issues Jan 6, 2019
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December 2018
- Dec 28, 2018 Modern Bulkhead Connector Dec 28, 2018
- Dec 24, 2018 First Drive with EFI Dec 24, 2018
- Dec 22, 2018 Ignition and Idle Dec 22, 2018
- Dec 22, 2018 Reinstalling the Interior Trim and Electrical Issues Dec 22, 2018
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September 2018
- Sep 15, 2018 Double-DIN Radio Install Sep 15, 2018
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June 2018
- Jun 18, 2018 Horrible Squeaking Sound Jun 18, 2018
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December 2017
- Dec 2, 2017 MegaSquirt Initial Testing and Engine Odds and Ends Dec 2, 2017
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November 2017
- Nov 25, 2017 Building an Exhaust System Nov 25, 2017
- Nov 18, 2017 Buttoning Up the Engine Bay Nov 18, 2017
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August 2017
- Aug 26, 2017 Running a New Ground Bus Aug 26, 2017
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April 2016
- Apr 23, 2016 Wiring, Installing the New Harness and Fuel Injector Refurbishing Apr 23, 2016
- Apr 23, 2016 Replacing the Parcel Shelf Sound Dampner Apr 23, 2016
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March 2016
- Mar 12, 2016 Spark Plugs and Removing Old Wiring Mar 12, 2016
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November 2015
- Nov 1, 2015 3.0L Vacuum Routing Nov 1, 2015
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October 2015
- Oct 18, 2015 Removing the Center Armrest Oct 18, 2015
- Oct 18, 2015 Replacing the Door Struts Oct 18, 2015
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September 2015
- Sep 15, 2015 Reinstalling the Engine and Transmission Sep 15, 2015
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July 2015
- Jul 26, 2015 EFI Fuel Lines and Injectors Jul 26, 2015
- Jul 19, 2015 Boxes of EFI Parts Jul 19, 2015
- Jul 12, 2015 Relocating the Fuel Filter Jul 12, 2015
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June 2015
- Jun 27, 2015 Replacing a Broken Automatic Transmission Dipstick Tube Jun 27, 2015
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May 2015
- May 31, 2015 Replacing the Automatic Transmission Pan Gasket May 31, 2015
- May 4, 2015 Rust and Holes in the Frame May 4, 2015
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November 2014
- Nov 25, 2014 Engine Compression Test Nov 25, 2014
- Nov 6, 2014 Ignition Switched Headlights Nov 6, 2014
- Nov 1, 2014 Replacing the 3.0L Water Pump Nov 1, 2014
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October 2014
- Oct 26, 2014 Replacing the Rear Main Seal Oct 26, 2014
- Oct 12, 2014 Installing the 3.0L Timing and Valve Covers Oct 12, 2014
- Oct 11, 2014 Replacing Core Plugs Oct 11, 2014
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September 2014
- Sep 20, 2014 3.0L Valve Timing Sep 20, 2014
- Sep 6, 2014 Cleaning the Valve and Timing Covers Sep 6, 2014
- Sep 6, 2014 Mounting the Cylinder Heads Sep 6, 2014
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August 2014
- Aug 16, 2014 Oil Mud in the Coolant Passages Aug 16, 2014
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July 2014
- Jul 13, 2014 Removing the 3.0L Fuel Rails, Intake Manifold and Water Pump Jul 13, 2014
- Jul 6, 2014 Reassembling the 2.8L Lower Crankcase to the 3.0L Block Jul 6, 2014
- Jul 6, 2014 The Hole in the 2.8L Block Jul 6, 2014
- Jul 6, 2014 Removing the 2.8L Crank, Pistons and Liners Jul 6, 2014
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June 2014
- Jun 16, 2014 Learning to Weld Jun 16, 2014
- Jun 8, 2014 Cleaning Oil from the Frame Jun 8, 2014
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May 2014
- May 11, 2014 Cleaning the Oil Pan and Lower Crankcase May 11, 2014
- May 11, 2014 Removing the Lower Crankcase from the 3.0L Engine May 11, 2014
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April 2014
- Apr 20, 2014 Removing the 3.0L Valve and Timing Covers Apr 20, 2014
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March 2014
- Mar 23, 2014 Removing the Cylinder Heads Mar 23, 2014
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February 2014
- Feb 23, 2014 Removing the Lower Crankcase from the 2.8L Engine Feb 23, 2014
- Feb 16, 2014 Obtaining a 3.0L Dodge Monaco/Eagle Premier Engine Feb 16, 2014
- Feb 9, 2014 Frame Rust Under the Rear Upper Link Arms Feb 9, 2014
- Feb 7, 2014 Removing the Valve and Timing Covers Feb 7, 2014
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January 2014
- Jan 25, 2014 Removing the Engine and Transmission Jan 25, 2014
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September 2013
- Sep 21, 2013 Fuse Box Replacement Sep 21, 2013
- Sep 21, 2013 Inline Fuel Check Valve Sep 21, 2013
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August 2013
- Aug 31, 2013 Fuel Filter Replacement Aug 31, 2013
- Aug 31, 2013 Deflecting Drained Windshield Water Away From the Fuel Pump Aug 31, 2013
- Aug 13, 2013 Fuel Pump/Sender Replacement Aug 13, 2013
- Aug 4, 2013 Testing the Mechanical Advance Aug 4, 2013
- Aug 2, 2013 Testing the Cold Start Valve Aug 2, 2013
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July 2013
- Jul 28, 2013 Ignition Issues: Replacing the Spark Plugs and Coil Jul 28, 2013
- Jul 27, 2013 Water in the Fuel System: Clearing Injectors, Testing Spark and Cleaning the Fuel Tank Jul 27, 2013
- Jul 20, 2013 Introduction Jul 20, 2013
In order to get the rear of the DeLorean aligned, I had to swap out the perfectly good upper link arms with new adjustable ones. It was not as easy as it should have been, but became much easier after I got a new, more powerful impact gun.