Custom DeLorean Clock Plate

Early DeLoreans came with a clock, located in the Front Plate (#108240) in the Center Console.  It seems that some of these clocks fail through...wait for it...time.  Later DeLoreans came with radios with a clock, so the original clock was omitted.  Those later cars have Front Plates with no hole. 

As clocks stopped working, some were replaced, most were left alone in non-working condition.  Once in a while, someone who is way smarter than me will make clocks for replacement.  These go for about $100.  Not a bad price, actually, a very good price.  I almost considered getting one.  Since I have a 'modern' radio with a clock in it, I do not really need another clock.

Another option for the 'clock hole' is a plate.  Aesthetically, it looks cleaner, as it does not look like a broken clock.  It just looks like something should be there...like a clock.  While that looks clean, it still looks like something is missing.  I have a clock plate in my car.

Clock plate in place of where a working clock used to be

I wanted to do something different with the plate and give it a 'reason for being'.  So, I took some measurements and made a new plate.

Measurments of original plate

 

Custom clock plates.  One with DMC logo, other with Hot Wheels logo

It is basically the plate that I already have with the sides extended for holes, so it can be mounted directly on to the Front Plate.  I made two versions with different logos, for fun.

Custom clock plate installed

The logo adds a little luxury to the center console.  It looks like it is almost the intended look of the center console...almost.

Close up of custom clock plate

Simple custom project that took very little time.  Reason being that this does not involve any moving parts or anything essential to the function of the vehicle.

It took about ten minutes to remove the Front Plate from the Center Console and measure the existing plate.  I spent maybe ten minutes modeling the part.  The longest time spent was waiting for the part to print.  Finishing the part only involved spraying a few coats of paint and waiting to dry.  Then, removing the Front Plate again and installing the new part.  Total time invested was about an hour, not including waiting for print and watching paint dry.

Check Valve Installation For DeLorean

Edit:  Please read update at the end of post

Apparently, there is an issue with the new fuel pump (#10700) for the DeLorean that can cause a hot start problem.  This happened to me a few times and I had no idea what was going on. Now that I know what it is, I can get it fixed. Lucky for me, it is an easy fix.  All I have to do is get the parts and fix it

The good folks at DMCTalk have discussed this in depth.  The problem is a potential fail of the check valve in the pump system.  This causes lost of pressure in the fuel line during start up.  No fuel, no start.  The solution, install an inline fuel pressure repair kit.  I got this one from Amazon:

SUR&R Fuel Pressure Repair Kit

You will also need two hose clamps, which you can easily find at your local hardware store.  This was a simple project.  How simple?  It only took me about ten minutes to do it.  So fast and easy, I totally forgot to take photos during the process.  It took more time for me to clear the trunk and get to the fuel line. 

Basically, you cut the line leading to the engine and install the unit with the supplied fittings.  Secure the fittings with hose clamps.  The check valve is directional, so make sure that the arrow points with the flow of fuel.  That is it.

Fuel pressure repair kit in stalled.  It was that easy.

Then I noticed that the screws that hold various access panels were rusted.  Some had worn out heads, a few were missing.  I decided to replace all the screw with shiny new ones.

Look at all those rusty and worn out screws

Bag of new screws

I replaced 24 screws.  This took way longer than installing the check valve.

Look at my new screws

Only eight of these screws can be seen when my hood is open.  The other sixteen are covered by the bonnet liner and everything else I keep in there.  Now to put everything back in.  This includes the spare tire, Shock Tower Brace, Luggage Rack, Car Cover, and various tools.

Those new screws really pop

Wow, you can totally see the new screws in the picture above.  Maybe I should have painted them black before I screwed them in .

Hopefully, the installation of the check valve will solve any start up issues I may have.  Speaking of fuel, I need to fill up sometime in the next few days or I will have another fuel/start-up problem.

UPDATE, 29 September 2013

I got a message from a fellow DeLorean owner, Jeff (aka jmpdmc), this morning.  He informed me that I am using  the wrong kind of clamps.  I will be the first to admit that I know very little about cars, especially the internal working parts.  I am pretty good at changing light bulbs and making custom non-moving parts.

Anyway, after reading Jeff''s message, I immediately walked down to the local auto shop to pick up some proper fuel injector hose clamps.  Clamps that are made for the pressures of the fuel pump.

Regular hose clamp versus fuel injector hose clamp

So the process of getting to the check valve began.  One thing I noticed, when I removed the hose from the check valve, a little fuel leaked out.  It did not do that last time, confirming that there was a lost of pressure with the new fuel pump and with its internal check valve.  Gasoline smells kinda good, probably bad for one to inhale.  But once in a while, I like the smell.

New clamps installed

Swapping out the clamps was an easy procedure.  Again, this took very little time and simple enough even for me to do.  Plus, I got black ones so they look all stealthy...not like anyone is going to see this.  Although, I am glad that someone like Jeff saw my previous attempt and corrected my error.  So, thanks Jeff for pointing out my mistake.

Thanks to the DMCTalk community and special thanks to jmpdmc

Update #2, 27 October 2013

This is to answer Adam's question in the comments. 

How does the valve piece together? I bought one and could not for the life of me figure out how to attach the metal cylinder with the screw on top?

This is very easy.  Your check valve comes with two brass collars.  You will not need the nylon ones for this project.  I realize that the 'product picture' at the top of this post is slightly different from what I have installed, it should be the same process.  This is the way I did it. 

First unscrew the top and place one brass collar in the chamber.  Replace the top, hand tighten it.  The smooth end of the metal tube should slide right, stopping at the first ridge at about half and inch. 

Take two wrenches and tighten the top with the metal tube sticking out.  Make sure that the tube does not fall out.  Tighten it good.  There should be a point where it will bottom out.  Repeat that on the other side.

Once you cut your fuel hose, you just shove the unit bridging the hose.  Make sure direction of arrow is facing the correct way.  It may take a little effort to get the rubber hose past that first rib of the metal tube. That rib also helps with the clamps.

Hope that answers your question, Adam.  Thanks for stopping by, good luck with your project.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - September 2013

Not suppose to wear white after Labour Day?  I propose a new tradition, not fucking calling me after Labour Day...or any time, ever!  School is back in session, so the summer interns are gone.  Now, the 'professionals' are doing the calling.  Professional...pfft...fuck you and your so called profession. 

5 September 2013
   407-935-5621 Kissimmee, FL -  Kissimmee?  How about Kiss-a-my-ass?  Fuck you!

11 September 2013
   281-386-2880  Houston, TX - Really...on September 11?  Have you no respect?  Obviously, not.  Fuck you, you should be ashamed of yourselves.  By the way, I have received calls from same area code and prefix.

So, I got this comment from "Anonymous":

dude...why the anger. I received the call...didn't answer and done. Move on man...better things to concern yourself with than a telemarketer....don't pick up the phone if you don't know the number and move on...BREATHE....exhale... 

Not even making it up.  Go ahead, check it.  Obviously, from a fan of telemarketing.  Perhaps even a telemarketer him/herself.  Now, I could ignore the comment, but it is way more fun to call this person out.  I realize I am opening a can a worms here, oh well.

dude...why the anger.  So, you like to be harassed by telemarketers?   

I received the call...didn't answer and done.  That is the point, many people received the call...and many do not answer.  Yet, they keep on calling.   

Move on man...better things to concern yourself with than a telemarketer....   'Move on', you say?  'Better things to concern yourself with', you say.  Well then, how the fuck did you find this site?  Instead of 'moving on', you looked up one of the numbers I listed and it lead you here.  You were curious about 'concerned' about a number - a telemarketing number - and it bothered you.  Perhaps even angered you.  Angered enough to seek out more information on said number.  Further more, your emotions lead to write a snarky comment.  So, I urge you to take your own advice and 'move on'.  Or, you can do that thousands of others do, and enjoy my rants for what they are.  Entertainment.

don't pick up the phone if you don't know the number and move on...  For the record, I rarely answer calls from people I know.  What makes you think I pick up unknown numbers?

BREATHE....exhale...  Do not forget to inhale.

By the way, thanks for commenting.  Feel free to stop by the next time you get a telemarketer call and leave another comment...after you have moved on.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled telemarketing calls.

16 September 2013
   918-866-7810  Sparks, OK - Another call from Spaks, Oklahoma.  This is the fourth call from the same number.  Since July, I have gotten a call from Sparks, about every twenty days.  It could be random, or there could be a pattern.  We will check back in early October to see if there is a pattern.  Until then, they guys can just fuck off.

21 September 2013
   310-356-0420  El Segundo, CA -  Just before I got the call, I walked into the library and turned off my phone, as to no disturb anyone.  Then, my phone buzzes and these mother fuckers are calling.  Sorry, I am at a library...on a fucking Saturday.  I suspected that the number was from a terrorist group...uh, I mean telemarketer.  When I looked up the number, one of the results lead me back to my site.  Yes, a return caller.  So, fuck you for calling on a Saturday.  Fuck you for almost disrupting every in the library.  And, just fuck you, in general.   

23 September 2013
   616-980-2164 MI, USA - Return caller from three weeks ago.  We can deduct that my number is on a three week rotation in Michigan.  Fuck Michigan.

   310-356-0420  El Segundo, CA -  Call number four from this number.   Even better, this call came ten minutes after the call above.  Only tem minutes.  Some one asked, "What happened to the national do not call list?. .. Fucking crock of shit!"  Yes, the Do Not Call Registery is a crock of shit.  I have given up on them.  I no longer take the time to report these numbers.  I do all my 'reporting' here, in this blog.  Believe me, I get better results from bitching about telemarketers here, than I ever will from the Registery.  Oh, and fuck you!


Calls that are ten minutes apart, and return caller.

27 September 2013
   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - Orlando, Florida!  Do you think Mickey, Donald, or Goofy would be calling me?  I have been to Orlando twice and both times, I did not go to any Disney Parks.  Maybe Micjey and gand are calling me to invite me over.  Alas, it is just a telemarketer.  No one wins in this scenario...espeically the telemarketers.  They are always losers.


   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - What, twice in one day?  Perhaps it is Mickey trying to contact me.  If only he just simply left a message.  Oh yeah, spineless bitches, like telemarketers, do not leave messages.  They are not even real people.  Besides the fact that most are usually robot callers, they are still not real people.  So, feel free to treat them like shit.

   281-386-2880  Houston, TX - Oh, remember these fuck nuggets?  Return callers are fun.   Sometimes, I will recognize the number and it is a small victory for me.  I already know that an unrecognized number is most likely from some fucking telemarketer.  But, when it is a number I can confidently say, " this cock lick is a return caller", that is a victory.  Bam, I win and fuck you!

28 September 2013
   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - Calling on a Saturday..and three times in two days.  Look smooth brain, I am not going to pick up.  No one is going to pick up.  Save yourself the effort and stop calling.  You are in Orlando, go to one of the theme parks.  Better yet, go fuck yourself.

30 Sepetember 2013
   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - Do you think these guys are trying to get a hold f me?  I know this may sound like total witchcraft, but if the person you are trying to call does not pick up, you can leave a message.  Like one of those answering machines.  Maybe leave a message or something.  I stll will not call back, but it is worth a try.  So far, four calls in four days.  Too bad the month is coming to an end.  Perhaps, you can rack up calls for next month.  Until tomorrow, fuck off.