Finally got my 944 on the road

[daveimme]

Well, I finally got my car on the road! I found a few things it needs.....

1. Fuel gauge is not showing the proper amount of fuel in tank. I just filled it up and the gauge still shows a little less than a 1/4 tank. It has new fuel pump, filter and fuel screen. What is there to look at for this problem?

2. The rear feels rough on the road. I'm running Pirelli P6's, stock size, and the rear feels like I'm riding on the wheels on the road!
Why?

3. Windshield wiper motor is shot...so I will need to find a used one

4. No power steering....however, my mechanic says he can get a rack and pump and that it would be simple to put on.....So, will probably do that pretty soon.

So, if anyone can give me an idea what to look at for the improper gauge readout for the fuel, why it rides hard, and if anyone has a wiper motor for it, I'd appreciate it.

[SoCal Driver]

What did you mechanic find out about the fuel level sending unit? You remarked in another thread that he was going to look at it.

Rear could be the shocks as you remarked this car had sat for some time. The valves in the shocks could be jamed shut -- no suspension.

You really don't want the hassels of power steering. Both on getting all the parts together and creating mounting points on the frame for some of the componets. Think you also have to take the belts and shrouds off to mount the pump bracket to the bottom of the engine.

I've driven my 83 for 18 years with out it.

Don't have a wiper motor but did find out that with a little soldering and selective grinding on the aluminum case a newer three speed will fit. You get only two of the speeds but these are faster than the older wiper motors.

[daveimme]

Hugh...for the rear shocks....if the valves are jammed shut....that would necessitate taking it apart and checking, eh? I've no experience with car suspension, but I've had several re-valved suspensions done on my dirt bikes, but doubt they are they same. Is the rear suspension even tearable?

Checking some other areas here, I thought maybe the fuel sending unit is out since what else can it be? I'm a little ignorant, too, but is it an electrical part that goes in the engine compartment? or below by the tank?

Yeah, I'm thinking of leaving the steering alone...I only notice it when manuevering slowly, i.e., driveways, etc....so that shouldn't bother me. Guess modernization has spoiled me

The wiper motors are quite pricey...and I found a used one, but waiting to hear from my mechanic if he found one yesterday locally.

Car has Pirelli P6's in good shape, but since it has been sitting a little (garaged), I will get them all balanced and get an alignment.

Are the P6's good tires?

[SoCal Driver]

You will have to replace the rear shocks. These are just through bolted at the top and bottom.

Most fuel senders use a very low current across a wire wound resistor. The contact (wiper) that travels across the wires is driven by the float. It's not uncommon to have the resistor windings and the wiper corrode when a car sits for a length of time. Taking the sender out of the gas tank and using a fine emory cloth to clean the wiper contact area on the windings may possibly restore the sender. Other wise just buy a new one.

P6's are good tires as long as they were kept inflated. Letting a car sit on an flat tire will break the sidewall cords and could cause tire disintegration at speed. Most high performance tires require rebalancing several times during their useful life span.

Over inflate the fronts by a couple of pounds and see if the steering "loosens". Could have the front struts/shocks binding as well.

The 86 I picked up after sitting for four years was tight in the steering. I found it was one of the steering link's u-joints that had seized. This is the link between the steering wheel shaft and the steering rack. You can look down between the back of the brake booster and the fire wall with a flash light while some one turns the steering wheel and see the top u-joint. The other is at the input to the steering rack.

[daveimme]

Thanks.

Yeah, the tires were kept inflated and show no sign of dry rot or anything. Tread looks real good, too. The steering isn't overly hard; just that I'm spoiled by power steering like most people.

I used to have a 74 Chevy pickup that didn't have power steering and believe me when I say that that truck built my arms more than any gym ever could!

I'm gonna see my mechanic at noon and see what he has found out regarding the fuel level sending unit.

I haven't checked prices for shocks yet, so I hope my jaw doesn't drop when I do!

Thanks for the helpful responses....this board is much better than an older BMW board I was on when I had a bimmer.