History of my purchases & repairs

I have been adding my receipts to the stack of receipts from the previous owner and I compiled them all into an Excel spreadsheet. I may or may not keep this updated moving forward, depending on whether or not I remember to do it. It's surprising how quickly things can add up when you're trying to take your car to the next level of appearance and reliability.

My totals, including shipping costs, is now over $5,200 with more to come. See below for an in-depth look at all of the purchases. Everything except for the stainless panel repair was completed by me, so I was only paying for labor with my own time and sweat.

Below are my purchases from DMC Houston:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
105543	Master Cylinder, Brake	1	124.95	124.95
100469	Hub carrier, LH	1	299.00	299.00
106272	Screw, Rear lens	5	0.92	4.60
100973	Bearing, Rear hub	1	26.95	26.95
100408	Shock absorber, rear pair	1	75.00	75.00
101042	Link compl, lower	1	75.81	75.81
108099	Washer M12	2	3.23	6.46
108469	Pipe, RR Calp LH	1	29.95	29.95
108514	Nut, Stub Axl. INR.RH	2	8.54	17.08
SP10776	Washer M12 x 32 Large	1	0.45	0.45
SP10058	Washer 1/2" x 1" flat	1	0.24	0.24
SP10059	Nut, 1/2UNF	1	1.20	1.20
100973	Bearing, Rear hub	1	26.95	26.95
111128	Outer door seal, rear	1	19.95	19.95
SP11304	LED, Lugg/Repl Dome light	1	2.99	2.99
108721	Support buffer LH	1	19.49	19.49
SP10065	Bulb, Frt DI Light	1	1.50	1.50
101742	Rubstrip, Common End	1	9.75	9.75
A1000020	Floor Mats, Black w/ Wht Logo	1	119.60	119.60
K102114B	Six-Pack Bosch Filters	1	34.95	34.95
101062	Hose-PCV Oil Fill/Air CL	1	8.12	8.12
100462	Master Cyl, Clutch	1	99.00	99.00
100843	Slave Cyl, Clutch	1	69.00	69.00
106753	Hose, M/Cyl Resvr	1	7.12	7.12
105597	Washer, Striker	1	0.57	0.57
SP10305	Bulb, Interior Lamp	2	1.30	2.60
101977	Cap, Coolant Resvr	1	20.09	20.09
106773	Tubing, Clutch slave cylinder	1	54.54	54.54
SP10611	Rivnut AL	15	0.51	7.65
SP10663	Screw M5x16	15	1.13	16.95
SP10123	Bolt M8x16	14	0.97	13.58
SP10032	Washer M8 Flat	14	0.89	12.46
105200	Label: Unleaded fuel - see kits	1	1.45	1.45
105863	Trip reset shaft	1	14.95	14.95
105855	Spacer, knob	1	4.95	4.95
105865	Knob, odometer	1	3.56	3.56
105866	Nut, odometer knob	1	3.69	3.69
102125	Switch, Thermotime	1	28.02	28.02
109266	Balljoint, lower	1	89.95	89.95
Below are my purchases from DMC MidWest:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
108717	Label: Jump Start - See kit	1	4.20	4.20
110720	Seal, Doorsill - Rubber only	2	16.42	32.84
102575	Air Filter Element	1	7.50	7.50
105068	Label: brake fluid - Kit item	1	1.98	1.98
110096	Air filter label, DMC	1	7.44	7.44
105241	Label, Vac Pipe Route - See kit	1	6.93	6.93
110101	Alternator, 140 AMP #D7333	1	198.00	198.00
106392	Ret Strip 145 mm	2	9.75	19.50
106389	Ret Strip 300 mm	1	9.75	9.75
105199	Label: Emission control	1	6.98	6.98
106090	Label: Neg Ground	1	2.29	2.29
108138	Gasket, Side Marker	1	6.83	6.83
105063	Luggage Compartment strut	2	19.95	39.90
SP10440	Screw M5x12	2	0.47	0.94
SP10101	Washer M5 split	4	0.18	0.72
SP10672	Clip	1	2.21	2.21
SP10722	Lockring	1	0.36	0.36
Below are purchases from Special T:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
100045	Brake caliper left rear unloaded	1	109.95	109.95
111123	Core charge rear caliper	1	350.00	350
109037	Brake pads parking brake (4)	1	20.00	20
109014	Brake parking assembly Rhreman	1	99.95	99.95
GT100110-R	Shock absorber rear black	1	49.95	49.95
100119KIT	Drive axle boot kits	4	12.95	51.8
Below are purchases from other sources:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
WLED-WW5	LED t10 Wide Angle Wedge Base Bulb Warm White	5	3.94	19.70
WLED-A-90	LED t10 Wedge Base Bulb Amber 90 degree	1	0.79	0.79
WLED-B-90	LED t10 Wedge Base Bulb Blue 90 degree	1	1.39	1.39
WLED-G-90	LED t10 Wedge Base Bulb Green 90 degree	3	1.39	4.17
WLED-R-90	LED t10 Wedge Base Bulb Red 90 degree	5	0.79	3.95
	Cooper Cobra Radial G/T 195-60 14	2	55.90	111.80
	Cooper Cobra Radial GT P235/60R-15 98T RWL	2	117.00	234.00
	Registration	1	42.00	42.00
	Tax, title, fees	1	1072.25	1072.25
	Legacy LN46 radio antenna	1	25.00	25.00
	Bungee cord by the foot 3/16" black (cargo netting)	8	0.60	4.80
	Lower ball joints w/ castle nuts	1	129.44	129.44
	Stainless shifter ball (trade for original)	1	0.00	0.00
110227	Coil cover	1	55.00	55.00
101629	Engine bay light switch	1	12.00	12.00
8741	Spectre/Black air ducting	1	21.25	21.25
SEM39143	SEM Trim Black, Aerosol paint	3	10.20	30.60
	Stainless Steel paint	2	15.94	31.88
	Rustoleum clear coat paint	2	3.05	6.10
	POR 15 pint black semi-gloss	1	30.10	30.10
420	Fiberglass repair kit	1	23.42	23.42
	Black RTV sealant & 8 oz anti seize lubricant	1	14.36	14.36
	Vintage Vehicle plate, vanity plate, registration	1	142.75	142.75
Below are labor costs for any work done I didn't do:
Vendor	Description	Labor
DMCNW	Repair damaged LH rear quarter panel	275.00
DMCNW	Shipping & supplies both ways LH rear quarter panel	316.97

History of repairs by previous owners

The previous owner of my DeLorean kept all receipts for all of the parts that he purchased for the car and I have continued this practice since taking ownership. I had a huge stack of receipts that I decided to organize. I entered all the information into an Excel spreadsheet that includes part numbers (if available), part description, order date, quantity, vendor used, price, shipping cost, any labor cost, and totals.

After going through everything, I realized what a great deal I got for my car. I purchased it in 2011 for $14,500. After totaling up the receipts from the previous owner, he alone spent $9,374.30 in parts alone and a total of $10,829.03 when I include shipping and labor! According to him, he sold the car to me for the same price that he purchased it for back in 2006. He was not in a good financial situation, which was why he was selling the car.

I totaled my purchases so far and have spent $3,200+ since purchasing the car out of my own pocket. But that figure also includes the cost to register and title the car. If I were to include the price of all of the parts that were replaced due to damage that my insurance covered, the total cost for me jumps up to $5,150+.

I also found some paperwork from an owner back in the early 90s. There were only a few sheets of paperwork, but the total money spent blew me away. One invoice shows that over $14k was spent in repairs at DeLorean One! Here are the invoices that I had scanned:

In addition to the above repairs, I also found paperwork and receipts from 1990 and 1991 for a tuneup, replacement of the brake master cylinder & servo, R12 evacuation and refill, evaporator core replacement, and some work to repair a leaky intake gasket. Sheesh! Just these additional parts and labor totaled over $2200. I don't know for sure if the invoices for the work totaling more than $14k was actually performed by DeLorean One, but it does appear that these are bills and not just estimates. That means that this owner potentially spent over $16,200 back in the 90s, in addition to the $10,829.03 that the owner before me spent!

Below is the information I entered into the spreadsheet for just the repairs done by the previous owner that had the car from 2006 until I bought it in 2011. As you can see, the previous owner bought the most parts from DMC Houston, but spent more money buying parts from Special T Auto.
  

Below are purchases from DMC Houston by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
102101	Seal 16 x 22 Crush	1	0.35	0.35
111104	Drain plug wrench - socket	1	18.85	18.85
102114B	Bosch Oil Filter	1	7.5	7.5
100523	Fuel filter	1	14.95	14.95
100523X	Filter, Fuel - Kit item	1		0
106685	Pad, Fuel filter	1		0
102101	Seal 16 x 22 Crush	1	0.35	0.35
106977	Washer M12 Copper	2	1.09	2.18
108209	Louver strut	1	19.95	19.95
105952	Valve, air inlet	1	101.25	101.25
SP10353	Clamp, hose	3	0.99	2.97
105927	Duct, air filter	1	14.95	14.95
105926	Duct, temp sensor	1	29.95	29.95
	Mirror control	1	28.4	28.4
106128	Seal, Pwr Wdo Wipe RH	1	28.89	28.89
102604	Rotor, Distributor	1	8.95	8.95
101052	Coil, Ign	1	38.06	38.06
102442	Belt, Alternator	1	8.95	8.95
102606	Cap, distributor	1	19.95	19.95
105505	Drive belt, A/C	1	10.35	10.35
106129	Seal, pwr wdo wipe LH	1	28.89	28.89
102489	Gasket, Mix con unit	1	4.5	4.5
106252	Guide, Bat Compt Cov	1	2.51	2.51
SP10850	Nut	3	0.77	2.31
SP10597	Screw M4x20	3	0.33	0.99
101936	Bolt, CLPR Ret	4	1.99	7.96
101262	Bolt M12x125-35	4	3.21	12.84
100735	Bolt, Rear link	2	22.14	44.28
106884	Bolt M12x120	4	2.5	10
100482	Pivot Bolt	2	15.03	30.06
108469	Pipe, RR Calp LH	1	9.9	9.9
SP10058	Washer 1/2" x 1" flat	4	0.24	0.96
SP10059	Nut, 1/2UNF	4	1.2	4.8
SP10868	Washer, M12 x 25 Thin	4	1.56	6.24
SP10178	Nut, M12 Nyloc	4	0.5	2
SP10013	Bolt M10x60	12	1.26	15.12
SP10036	Washer M10 Split	12	0.07	0.84
100469	Hub carrier, LH	1	299	299
SP10219	Bolt M8x20 Trb Bush MTG	4	0.77	3.08
106680	Shim/Washer	10	2.46	24.6
106962	Washer M12	2	1.08	2.16
SP10868	Washer, M12 x 25 Thin	2	1.56	3.12
SP10035	Washer M8 Split	4	0.17	0.68
SP10032	Washer M8 Flat	4	0.89	3.56
100481	Spacer	2	34.4	68.8
101259	Bolt, Lower link	2	5.68	11.36
SP10059	Nut, 1/2UNF	2	1.2	2.4
SP10058	Washer 1/2" x 1" flat	4	0.24	0.96
100481	Spacer	1	34.4	34.4
108607	Wrench, Jack	1	15.59	15.59
SP10649	Screw M6x16 CSK	2	0.19	0.38
106248	Strap, Tool	1	5.18	5.18
108288	Lighter, Cig	1	9.98	9.98
110555	Sender, Fuel	1	99	99
102618	Spring Washer M7	22	0.26	5.72
108903	Noise Isolator, M/T	1	29.65	29.65
102198	Bolt M7x25	22	1.01	22.22
102114B	Oil filter, bosch	1	7.5	7.5
K101177	Window switch, pair	1	69.95	69.95
108529	Pad, Console	1	3.35	3.35
108904	Pad, Ash Tray	1	1.22	1.22
102101	Seal 16 x 22 Crush	1	0.35	0.35
K108138	Market light gasket kit	1	18.99	18.99
SP10219	Bolt M8/20 TRB Bush MTG	8	0.77	6.16
106915	Seal Cap-Seat Belt Bolt	2	2.57	5.14
SP10035	Washer M8 Split	8	0.17	1.36
SP10114	Screw M4, Pan-Head	8	0.36	2.88
106429	Socket, Market light	2	10.47	20.94
SP10804	Nut Captive	8	0.24	1.92
101341	Bolt 1/2 x 3.5 UNF	2	3.27	6.54
100478	Spacer	4	0.99	3.96
SP10059	Nut, 1/2UNF	2	1.2	2.4
SP10024	Nut M6 Nyloc	8	0.69	5.52
SP10015	Bolt M6x20	8	0.51	4.08
SP10058	Washer 1/2" x 1" flat	16	0.24	3.84
SP10031	Washer M6 Flat	16	0.17	2.72
100154	Bushing, Lower Arm	1	49.82	49.82
100477	Bolt, Front Lower Link	2	11.06	22.12
SP10027	Nut Nyloc M12	2	0.44	0.88
SP10059	Nut, 1/2UNF	2	1.2	2.4
106130	Adapter, Speedo Cable	1	59.95	59.95
106938	Retaining Ring	1	3.29	3.29
106291	Grommet	1	1.58	1.58
106646	Bracket, Brk Pipe RH	1	4.44	4.44
SP10396	Speedo cable clip	1	0.65	0.65
SP10032	Washer M8 Flat	1	0.89	0.89
101628	Rock Screen, Powder Coated Black	1	69	69
SP10256	Washer LB M6	12	0.44	5.28
SP10030	Nut M6	5	0.24	1.2
SP10041	Bolt M6x16	7	0.51	3.57
110728	Grommets, Stricker Pin	4	2.67	10.68
109100	Key blank, molded	1	12.95	12.95
108562	Pigtail, fan motor	2	41.68	83.36
106022	Rod, Door lock RH	1	24.62	24.62
105519	Retainer	1	3.74	3.74
106115	Unicap, M4	3	0.35	1.05
K101889	Escutcheons, Left and Right	1	34.99	34.99
101666	Latch, LH FRT RH RR	1	27.27	27.27
108095	Brkt, CTR CNSL LH	1	1.26	1.26
SP10135	Screw N8	2	0.44	0.88
106798	Lace, Console trim	2	9.95	19.9
108584	Pad, A Post OTR Fin	2	2.53	5.06
106852	Retainer, Roof Rear	1	6.29	6.29
108282	Mounting pad, Header	2	0.4	0.8
111126	Outer door seal, front	2	19.95	39.9
111976	Mirror pad	1	7.32	7.32
SP10430	Screw N8	6	0.51	3.06
SP10646	Screw, Black	8	1.1	8.8
SP10641	Screw N8	8	0.65	5.2
110192	Lock set, DR LH/RH, Includes 2 keys, 109100 and 106245, Cut to locks	1	74.95	74.95
A4000151	Blending pad	1	3.55	3.55
J33310	Door lock jig	1	25	25
108244	Switch, CTSY Light	2	8.57	17.14
101665	Latch, RH FRT LH RR	1	27.26	27.26
101666	Latch, LF FRT RH RR	1	27.26	27.26
101889	Escutcheon, A/RST LH	1	19.87	19.87
SP10282	Beta rivet	1	0.65	0.65
106959	Seal	1	0.98	0.98
105544	Gasket, Servo m/cyl	1	1.95	1.95
K116600	Seat covers (two seats), black	1	599	599
101526	Hog rings	150	0.39	58.5
SP10028	Nut M10 Nyloc	2	0.44	0.88
SP10036	Washer M10 split	2	0.17	0.34
Purchases from DMC Midwest by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
SRUTBAR	Shock Tower Strut Bar	1	150	150
	Strut bar bolts	2	4	8
JOECOOL	Fan Controller	1	175	175
Purchases from DMC Northwest by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
106716U	Bushing, used	2	9.55	19.1
K1000DP	Toby TAB Custom Trailing Arm Bolt Kit	1	74.95	74.95
106708U	Reinforcement plate, used	2	3.95	7.9
100464	Seat belt buzzer	1	18.95	18.95
106615	Bezel, seat belt	1	1.85	1.85
SP10817	Clip, lock	1	0.85	0.85
101994DP	Bushing, lower steering column (w/inst.)	1	21.95	21.95
K2500DP-BC	Wings-A-Loft door lock upgrade combo system	1	294.95	294.95
K2300DP-CM	Wings-A-Loft elite remote door opening system (man. Trans.)	1	449.95	449.95
106036U	Handle support brkt RH, used	1	19.95	19.95
SP10455	Screw M6	2	0.25	0.5
Purchases from DMC California by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
U101697	Adapter, A/C Vent Used	2	8.12	16.24
Purchases from Special T Auto by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
106931EXT	Muffler heat shield extended	1	72.95	72.95
105927-1	Air breather hose connector	1	9.95	9.95
K4001010ST	Manual set+laminated wiring	1	99.95	99.95
30049	Otterstat cooling fans on 92c-off 87c w/gasket	1	24.95	24.95
30158	Air bleeder automatic for coolant lines	1	24.95	24.95
K111168RK-R	Relay kit with RPM relay	1	149.95	149.95
102343	8mm hollow bolt fuel fitting	1	5.85	5.85
30413	Brake calipers set of 4 loaded	1	299.8	299.8
100404	Front wheel bearing	2	16.95	33.9
100973	Rear wheel bearings	2	27.95	55.9
SP10052	Front hub bearing retaining clip	2	3.5	7
SP10053	Rear hub bearing retaining clip	2	4.2	8.4
102344	Sealing washer copper 8mm	2	0.25	0.5
109005UF	Brake pads set ceramic front	1	49.95	49.95
109012UR	Brake pads ceramic rear	1	49.95	49.95
100595-1	Struts for the door in pairs	1	64.95	64.95
30332	Battery cut off switch kit key	1	33.95	33.95
30048	Fuse box replacement	1	119.95	119.95
101045	Starter heat shield stainless	1	16.95	16.95
102763	Oil pressure sending unit 80LB	1	36.95	36.95
118674Kit	Complete cooling hose kit w/out rad & wp	1	179.95	179.95
102462	Oil pressure sending unit Light	1	16.95	16.95
100252	Brake rotor rear wheel	2	89.95	179.9
100095	Rotor front	2	89.95	179.9
K109061	Rack boot kit/pair	1	19.95	19.95
30443	Stainless S throttle cover	1	15.95	15.95
100181STA	Lug nut stainless steel	2	3.45	6.9
109071	Tie Rod ends w/ new rubber	2	45.9	91.8
100110ST	Complete shock kit	1	249.95	249.95
105177N-PR	Lower front control arms pair	1	550	550
109266	Lower ball join kit heavy duty	2	19.95	39.9
100181CHR	Lug nut solid chrome	14	2.5	35
11085ANST	Fuel pump heat res high pre	1	159.95	159.95
101644	Fuel pump boot support bracket Stainless	1	22.95	22.95
106684	Fuel pump boot cape/cover	1	29.75	29.75
30003	Fuel pump 45 degree fitting	1	12.95	12.95
100523	Fuel filter	1	19.95	19.95
101391	Fuel Pump Boot	1	54.5	54.5
110085PK	Fuel pump baffle update kit only	1	59.95	59.95
SP10388	Fuel pump boot clamp top #72	1	1.75	1.75
SP10356	Fuel pump boot clamp lower	1	2.75	2.75
Purchases from PJ Grady by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
101042	Lower link arm, rear	2	95.81	191.62
100470	Rear Hub Carrier Rh	1	600	600
109073	Nut	2	1.71	3.42
105104	Speedo Adapter Cup	1	15.42	15.42
111412G	Lower Speedo Cable (26")	1	58.75	58.75
105257	Boot, Outer Tierod End	1	4.87	4.87
SP10158	Spire Nut Ret	1	2.13	2.13
SP10662	Sems Screw M5	2	1.1	2.2
111488G	Tail light C/B (pair)	1	124.95	124.95
Purchases from other sources by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
	Heated mirror kit	1	159.95	159.95
SE8405	Eclipse SE8405	1	89.95	89.95
SE8235	Eclipse SE8235	1	69.95	69.95
TA-KVT-617DVDRB	Kenwood 7" In Dash Monitor DVD/MP3	1	439.95	439.95
	BA7s LED blubl - Red	3	0.89	2.67
	74 Wedge Base LED bulb - Blue	2	1.19	2.38
	74 Wedge Base LED bulb - Red	1	1.19	1.19
	BA7s LED bulb - Blue 0.60	3	1.49	4.47
	BA7s LED bulb - Red	3	0.89	2.67
	BA7s LED bulb - Amber	1	0.89	0.89
	74 Wedge Base LED bulb - Green	2	1.19	2.38
	T13-x6 Wedge Base LED bulb	2	1.99	3.98
	T13-x6 Wedge Base LED bulb	4	1.99	7.96
	BA9s-x-12V LED Bayonet Base Bulb	2	0.98	1.96
	BA9s-x-12V LED Bayonet Base Bulb	2	0.98	1.96
	BA7s LED bulb - Blue BA7S-B 0.60	4	1.49	5.96
	BA7s LED bulb - Red BA7S-R	1	0.89	0.89
Purchases from private parties by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
100632	Front Valence Spoiler	1	125	125
	Lower Control Arm Bushing - NOS	1	10.75	10.75
102372	Cold Start Valve	1	37	37
106896	Idle Speed Motor	1	80.87	80.87
	A/C Vent	1	21.5	21.5
Purchases from DMC Europe by previous owner:
Part Number	Description	Quantity	Price	Total w/o Shipping
	Lower front springs	1	207.98	207.98
Labor paid by previous owner:
	Job	Labor Cost
	Press in hub bearings	53.5
	Press out axles	53.5
	Bearings pressed in	53.5
	Alignment	117.65
	Install custom windshield	133.75
	Install car seat covers	284.05

New DeLorean Luggage Compartment Hood Struts

The luggage compartment hood struts on the car have been strong enough to keep the luggage compartment open, but had lost the strength to "push" it open. Even the previous owner noted that he was going to replace them, but sold it to me before he had a chance. This has been a very low priority item for me since I have owned the car, but I decided to finally get it done.

In a previous post, I noted how when I ordered them from DMCMW, I was mistakenly sent rear louvre struts. Julee at DMCMW was so great and quickly sent me correct struts as well as a return label to ship back the incorrect louvre struts. They arrived at my house by the next weekend and I was able to swap them out in about 10 minutes.

The hood now goes up much easier with these bad boys installed. Here is one of them in its new home:

New DeLorean 140 Amp Alternator

Before I undertook the job of cleaning up the look of the engine bay, I discovered that I was having low voltage readings on a drive home from a car show. After the car had cooled overnight, voltage was back up to where it should be. The car had the original Motorola 90 amp alternator, so I didn't have a lot of confidence in its ability to last much longer. Since I want my car to be as reliable as possible, I decided that it was a good time to go ahead and replace it.

Before I replaced the alternator, you can see that the voltage readings were not even up to 13V, which is a drop from where it used to be:

Here is the original from a picture I took a couple of years ago:

 

In the picture above, you can also see the stove piping to the right with the rusty bracket it is secured to over the exhaust manifold. These have both since been removed when I switched the routing of the intake piping in a few posts back.

I thought that the installation would be a direct bolt in and that the wires would hook right up with no modifications. I was surprised when I compared the two alternators side-by-side and discovered that there was a wire coming off of the new alternator where none existed on the original. See the wire in the picture below:

 A quick search at the DeLorean forum revealed that I just had to cut off the ring connector coming off of the car's wiring harness and crimp the wire to the wire coming off of the new alternator. I crimped them together and used heat shrink tubing to keep a clean look.

I also took the time to remove and clean the alternator mounting bracket. It was looking pretty sad with surface rust. I used a wire wheel to clean it up and then painted it black before installing back on the car. I forgot to take a picture of it. It's possible that nobody will see that clean bracket again since it's covered up by the new alternator. I also cleaned the grit and grime off of the belt tension bracket since I had it off the car.

Here is the new alternator all hooked up and working.

Notice the stove piping and the exhaust manifold bracket that have been removed to help clean the look of the engine bay.

When I first when to start the car, I noticed some strange behavior of the battery light in the dashboard. The battery light would flash with the key on but engine not running. It would flash for about 20 seconds until it faded into a solid red, then it would start blinking again. It did this continually. I thought that I had hooked something up incorrectly for sure. Another quick search on the DeLorean forum revealed that this is normal for that alternator. Apparently it is the result of some undocumented test mode. So I suppose that it will do that for the rest of the alternator's life.

Engine bay progress

I was able to spend most of my Saturday just working on the car. Most of the time was spent working on the fiberglass repair for the lower engine cover. Part of the lower engine cover broke off around one of the holes where the hood prop bolts to the cover. I seriously underestimated how much time and work it was going to be. Had I known this, I wouldn't have even bothered repairing such a minor thing.The repaired fiberglass is so thin and feels so weak that I don't feel that it was worth the work.

Here is the break in the fiberglass. Very minor.

I applied the fiberglass the night before to give it plenty of time to set. It was really hard to get the fiberglass to conform to the corners to make it shaped like I wanted. It thus resulted in me having to add much more fiberglass material than I wanted to, which I regretted the next day.

The next day, I needed to sand down the fiberglass to match the shape of the rest of the cover. Trying to do this by hand was taking way too long, so I used a grinder and then a sander. It turned out smooth, but the remaining fiberglass just doesn't seem very strong.

I then wiped the cover down with acetone and lightly sanded with 400 grit sandpaper. I then wiped it down again with acetone and painted the cover using SEM Trim Black. I will post updates of the engine cover once I have made more progress.

I then focused on other parts in the engine bay. I used POR 15 to put on a couple of coats on the engine cover grill retaining strips that were rusting, and also on the metal bracket that holds the ignition resistor:

  

 I may apply another coat of POR 15 if it needs it. If not, I'll finish them with some SEM Trim Black to match the rest of the engine bay and then reinstall.

I also finished restoring the plastic coil cover assembly and it looks fantastic. I wiped it down with acetone to try and get it as clean as possible. I then sprayed a couple of light coats of SEM Trim Black to clean it up really nice. Below are the before and after photos:

 

As a parts order arrived from DMCMW, I discovered that instead of the new hood struts that I had ordered, I was sent a pair of rear louvre struts. You can see the difference in length here:

Luckily they are a great company to work with and correct struts are getting sent to me this week. They will include a return label for me to return these struts that I have since my rear louvre struts are in excellent condition. 

In asking for advice on how to restore the look of my air filter assembly box on the DMCTalk.org forum, I receive the advice that I should wet sand the plastic with 600 grit wet sandpaper to restore it to its original glory. In my attempt to make it look new again, I nearly destroyed it. 

First, using wet sandpaper to make it look new failed miserably. All it did was scratch the surface where there weren't scratches before. I used lower grit sandpaper to get rid of the top layer, which made it look like this:

I tried multiple things to make it look better. I first tried a product called Forever Black that I have used on other trim pieces on my Jeep to make it nice and black. Probably because of the sanding, this made the filter assembly look terrible. It looked worse than before. I then sanded that all off and then used a semi-gloss black spray paint. That looked better than the Forever Black, but still not the look I was going for.

I then sanding it down again, made it as smooth as possible with the 600 grit wet sandpaper and then sprayed it with the SEM Trim Black. Bingo. That was the look I was going for. 

For those looking to make their air filter assembly look new again, I recommend just cleaning it with acetone and then spraying with SEM Trim Black and it will look as good as new. 

This is what it looked like in the restoration process:

 

As seen in the picture above, I also took the time to paint the engine bay with SEM Trim Black. I didn't take any pictures of the process of taping off the car and painting. 

I started by wiping down all of the fiberglass with acetone to get as much black and dirt off. I then lightly sanded everywhere with 400 grit sandpaper before wiping it all down with acetone again.

After taping off the windows, quarter panels, rear fascia, motor, coil assembly, hoses, and nuts & bolts I wanted to retain in the color silver, I put on a few coats of SEM Trim Black. It was really hard to get the paint into the corners where the rear quarter panels meet the fiberglass body. I could have done a much better job with the panels off the car, but I didn't want to take the time to do that. 

More to come as I assemble and fix up other components of the engine bay.