Help new to porsche and new to forum

[jccarr]

Good morning. My name is Justin and I live in Denver CO. I've always dreamed of owning a Porsche. Last month that dream became a reality. I found a 1984 911 Targa with 33,000 original miles in Steamboat. Incredible car with every little detail and item coming with the car from when it was purchased new. As a big fan of all cars, classic cars, trucks and motorcycles I am quickly finding out that Porsche is really unique. I dig that, but I have A LOT TO LEARN.

Here is my first question. This car came with everything except the original radio. At some point someone changed it over to a pioneer deck. I did my research on this forum and through the web and I thought the correct radio for this car was a Blaupunkt Koln SQR 22. I've had my eye out for one of these and I was able to find and purchase one yesterday via the web. I haven't gotten the radio yet. (It should be shipped out today). The radio came out of a 1984 930 with only 15,000 miles that was wrecked. The radio is complete and in great shape so I thought this is a great score. Then through more reading I realized the Koln is the Euro Version and the Blaupunkt Atlanta SQR 22 is the US version? I checked with the owner of the radio and he said his car was a Euro.

Will this radio work with my car? I have attached an image. (sorry for the upside down picture, the seller took it that way) I have a rolling knob in the center of my console that looks like a fader dial. Is this radio going to work with that? I want to keep this car as close to original as possible and I'm hoping I just didn't buy something that won't work with this car.

My second question is, can someone educate me on the instrument panel on this car. The oil leveler reading on the dash seems close to the red but when I check the oil properly with the car running on an even surface the oil indicator on the stick is about 1/3 above the bottom line. Is that where the oil should be or what is the story with that guage? ( I probably should pull out the manual that came with the car but perhaps I will get more information here)

My third question involves the rims. This car has the original 15 inch phone dials on it. They are mint with no nicks or rash whatsoever. However, I like the Fuchs. In 1984, were the Fuchs an option in the 16 inch rim for the 911 or were they only an option in the 15 inch rim?

Sorry if these questions are a bit rookie. I know I have a lot to learn. I am so stoked for the warm weather. Can wait for April or May to take it out.

[Gogar]

Congratulations!

Yes, the radio will work with the car; it's likely that when the Pioneer got put in someone changed the wiring harness so you will have to do some re-wiring. If you can find a Blaupunkt harness/install kit that will help out.


The "oil level" gauge shows the amount of oil that is in the oil tank. When you are driving, you will notice it goes down, probably in the red; that's fine, and indicates that the oil is being drawn into the engine. When your car is fully warmed up, it should rise to maybe half or more, maybe even up towards the top. It's a nice gauge and all, but you should ALWAYS check the oil the normal way, with the car warmed up and idling, and pull the dipstick, the oil should be somewhere between the two dots on the dipstick.

You could definitely get Fuchs as an upgrade in 1984, probably 16X6 and 16X7. Many people choose to put the 7s on the front and get 16X8 or even 16X9 in the back, if you have the budget and the patience to try and find 9s.

[KNS]

Not sure about the radio... You are checking the oil correctly - with the engine running and on a level surface. The engine should be pretty warm to get an acurate reading, the oil gauge is often mismatched with the dipstick or not working at all. 1/3 of the way up on the dipstick is okay, ideally it should be right at halfway, check it agin with the engine hot.

[Bob Kontak]

Radio will work if hooked up correctly.

Is the oil fill gauge moving when you drive? There is just a float in the oil tank that measures the level and it will move when the level moves. Probably would move if you just jostle the car. Otherwise, put a half quart in and see if the level changes. (note the oil settles from the tank into the case when resting so that is why the dipstick should be used after the car warms and circulates the oil to it's operating "balance" - tank vs. case)

My 81 has 16" fuchs and that was an option. Believe 16" fuchs became standard on the Carrera in one of the years. If not standard, definitely an option.

[ossiblue]

Welcome to the board and congratulations on your new (to you) Porsche--we will be awaiting pictures!!!

Sorry, I cannot answer questions about your radio but someone will post shortly, I'm sure. As to the oil level sender, use it only for guidance, not accuracy. You already know how to check the oil properly--fully warmed engine, at idle on a flat surface. The fact the dipstick reads about 1/3 above the bottom line when the gauge is near the red tells you the accuracy of the gauge when the oil is near it's proper level. You might try adding a little oil very slowly until the level is mid way between the marks as this is the most common, optimum level and see where your gauge reads. If it is still close to the red, you may need a new sender or, at least, you will know the "meaning" of the gauge when it is in that position--that your level is still adequate. Most here, as you've probably read, only use the dipstick and check it at regular intervals.

I may be mistaken, but I don't think phone dials were stock, or offered, on 84 911 targas but Fuchs were--15", I believe. Someone else may confirm or correct this. 16" Fuchs may have been an option though.

[KNS]

Nineteen eighty four had the unique option of 16x7 and 16x8 Fuchs (Phone Dials being standard). This has been documented in couple of different books - Peter Morgan's for one. I think it was a one year only for the 7s and 8s in '84, of course you could get 15" Fuchs as well.

[zippy_gg]

I think you will have a limited amount of usable frequencies in the US with a European radio.
You should post some pictures of your car so we can the color scheme.
Only trust the oil gauge so much, as others already pointed out.
I was lucky enough to find a set of 16X6 and 16X7 Fuchs for my 86, and I am now trying to sell the later model wheels and spacers that came with my cab.
Other popular wheels include BBS, etc...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

I think you will have a limited amount of usable frequencies in the US with a European radio.

Might want to listen to zippy_gg - I thought FM was FM and AM was AM.

EDIT - Here is some Text I grabbed from a google search: "Yes, certainly it will work. The main difference between FM radio in the US and Europe is that the US uses only the odd frequencies: ie, 97.5, 97.7, 97.9 and so on. European radio uses frequency settings in between (98.60, 98.65) that aren’t used in the US, but they both use the same frequency range. If you have an FM transmitter set to 97.9, you should be able to receive the signal on a European radio just as well as a US radio." EDIT - ok read some more and a digital tuners in the US may only come to rest on the odd number frequencies rather than the European even ones - so there may be an issue.

Are these the (EDIT - fader knobs) dials? These are both air condition controls.

[Gogar]

I think he's talking about THESE dials, Bob:

[WIL84911]

Hooray! Another 1984. Congratulations and welcome! Got some pics of your ride?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by jccarr

I have a rolling knob in the center of my console that looks like a fader dial.

Gogar - Buried in his first post asking if the rolling knob was related to the radio.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Gogar - Buried in his first post asking if the rolling knob was related to the radio.

Whoops sorry.

YES that rolly-knob in the middle of the A/C controls is for the stock stereo front-rear fader.

[Bob Kontak]

Yikes - I blew the pic up and I see little speaker icons on the center dial. I don't have that on my 81 and thought he was referring to the left AC knob.

So the question still stands - will that knob work on the Blau or other non-factory radio?

[Hugh R]

That knob for the fader should work just fine, I think it's downstream of the radio signal, so to speak.

Post pics of your ride.

[jccarr]

WOW, Lots of great information. I can't believe the response I've received from this post. Thank you to everyone for providing information. To answer some questions, yes the gauge for the oil leveler goes into the red when I accelerate when driving. Oil level seems to be good so I guess it's fine. I've just never seen a gauge go toward the red and everything be normal. I'm learning

Attached are some pictures of the car. I will have to put the radio in and see how it does. Does anyone know where I might be able to get a wiring harness as suggested? Did the Koln SQR 22 have a fader on it? The knob between the two AC knobs is the fader knob that I have and I hope that I can get that operational as normal

If the 16 inch Fuchs came in 7's and 8's as an option that is what I want to go with. Now I just have to find them SO IF ANYONE HAS A PAIR TO SELL, Please let me know

Thanks again to everyone for responding. Is there a way for me to get an e-mail to see when people respond to a post so I can get back to everyone quicker? Sorry for the delay

Hope the pictures load OK.

Justin

[jccarr]

One More pic of the interior.

[glewis80SC]

Nice looking car...welcome.

[chris.817]

I'd keep the phone dials unless 15" tires are a problem. 16x7 and 8 Fuchs are pricey but certainly the best look and cool that it's apparently the only year it was an option. 16x6 and 7 Fuchs are close to half the price.

Beautiful car. Congratulations.

[FrinkFrog]

I actually like the phone dials on this car... probably b/c the silver color and everything is in such nice shape. Plus, they were the original wheels correct? Nice to keep things original. Great car, you'll definitely enjoy the ride.

[asterix031]

That's a great looking car - I quite like the colour combination and even the wheels - it all seems to work well together. Would be very happy to have it myself!