a few questions

[kaffine krazed]

My mom just bought a '83 944 and I get to maintain and learn how to drive when I get my learners permit

How do you use the space saving (flat) spare tire? I'm assuming you don't take off a flat tire on and put on a diffrent tire that is flat.

How do you change the oil filter without making a mess?

How much do the hydraulic struts for the hood cost?

Thanks.

[Walker944]

I've wondered about the "flat" spare tire thing myself.

As far as the hood shocks...I've seen them as low as $10 each (new) advertised in Excellence magazine by various Porsche parts distributors.

I haven't had any luck not making a mess changing the oil filter.

[stray15]

The spare tire should have come with a electric pump that plugs into your cigarette lighter. If you don't have one then the spare tire won't do any good.

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There is no substitute,
Tim
'83 944

[Lawrence Coppari]

There no easy way to get the filter off without making a mess. The only thing I have done (and I question if is worth the trouble) is to punch a hole in the top edge of the filter. Insert a small hose and use what is called a topsider to suck out the oil. Don't drill the filter, use a sharp punch on it so no metal filings get loose. Usually, I just stuff a bunch of rags around the filter housing and let it go at that. The design leaves much to be desired.

[Pilot_951S]

There is no way nto to make a mess when changing the oil filter.

See above for the spare tire and the good shocks.

[divezic]

I'd like to contradict what Mideastmafia said about the tire inflator in a can. This stuff not only inflates but blows a tar-like substance into your tire to seal the hole that caused the flat (and this junk doesn't work anyways). You'll gunk up the inside of your spare every time you use it. The better idea is go to the local parts store and buy a $25 compressor that works from your cigarette lighter.

There is no way to cleanly change your oil filter. Stuff some rags under it and catch most of the spill. Be careful not to spill oil onto your sway bar bushings. It'll slowly deteriorate them and they'll need to be replaced.

Find some good mail order companies for Porsche parts. They are much cheaper for OEM than your dealer or local auto parts store; fuel filter...Schuck's Autoparts-$25
Pelican Parts-$18. Pelican Parts is really good. Also Tweeks and German Parts and Reatoration are good. They are all online and reasonably priced. Shop around and find the lowest price. Start out with Excellence Magazine. The ads in Excellence will give you an idea of how much is too much. $600 for a 944 3-piece clutch kit is too much but some places charge it.

Good luck and keep asking questions. There are a lot of knowledgable people on this BBS and Rennlist. Any problem you run into has been seen, cursed at, and fixed by somebody reading your questions (except for cruise control...any ideas out there???). And don't listen to these jokers who drag-race Pintos at 110 mph in the city (just kidding..I'm not trying to start another "and there I was" message chain). Jail sucks and even worse, when the judge takes away youe license you can't drive your Porsche...

[1.2gees]

A couple of things:

A can of air under pressure is not the same thing as fix-a-flat. Fix a flat is junk, it will cost you when you're changing tires, it throws the wheel out of balance, it weighs a lot, and is a temporary fix.

A lot of cars came with a can of compressed air, that you could use to infilate your space saver spare tire, including 1st gen 300ZXs.

Again, fix a flat is NOT the same as a can of compressed air, and the latter is just fine, I always keep a can with me, eventhough I've also got the factory compressor.

Now for the not being able to drive without a license... I did, for a month, even got pulled over, for a 45 in a 35 (I was laughing at the cop)...

All I got was a 39-45, court costs, and that was it, it all depends folks...
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...