So I bought this 1987 Trans Am last week, and it was overheating, the fan is now wired in by the guy I bought it from so that it is always running. I am worried about burning out the fan motor. I have to replace the heater core and found a couple of threads that should be pretty helpful.
My issues that I would like some input on are:
1. When I hit the brakes the car tries to swerve, I know the car wasn't driven for awhile so I am wondering if this might be brake or alignment related. I have drums in the rear (just awesome I know)
2. The steering feels really loose, I have a huge dead zone in the center and I am continuously correcting while driving. (Alignment?)
3 The front driver's seat is trashed I used to have a tire behind it holding it up because it will not hold itself up and I managed to rig it together but now it is holding by sheer willpower and I was wondering what kind of seats I can use for the front possibly from other models of car if not a 3rd Gen even completely different manufacturers that will fit until I get some money together to get some decent front seats.
4. The lights don't flip up how can I tell if it is the motor or is there a relay that might need to be replaced?
5. What kind of fog lights can I use to replace cheap being the operative word as a temporary solution

Any help would be much appreciated, I am in love with this car already and just want it to be as driveable as possible on a budget so I can figure out what else I need to fix to make it as close to perfect as possible when my finances allow me to put the stuff I want to put in it.

Jayson

 

the steering problem may be ball joints if you dont start the car but put it in ignition so the steering wheel unlocks is there alot of play left and right?

 

Congratulations on your purchase Jayson. Swerving whilst braking could be dodgy calipers on your front discs, suggest overhauling brakes if it's been standing for a while. Loose steering is likely to be idler arm, they seem to wear out consistently and would cause the continuous correction you need whilst driving.
As you have probably seen elsewhere, 4th gen seats also bolt straight in which increases the choice available.
Do a search for light issues, the cogs usually wear out before the motors.
As I live in the UK i'd guess you'd be able to pick up fog lights a damn sight cheaper in BC than I could.
PS i wouldn't worry about the fan motor burning out, seen loads of 3rd gens with fan wired to continuous without issues.

 

BUY THIS!!!

BUY THIS!!!!
http://www.haynes.com/products/productID/453
it shows how to do most basic repairs such as heater core changing

Fan runs all the time with the air conditioner running. i dont think it should be a problem.

Replace the calipers and lines in the front it should be about 15 per side for calipers and 13 per side for lines. this is in usd i dont know canadian conversion

check center link ball joints.. actualy check everything lol a front end rebuild isint a bad idea. then get it aligned with good settings.

Easiest and in my oppinion best bet would be 4th gen camaro/firebird seats. the mechanical ones will bolt right up for super easy install.

you can manualy flip the lights up by turning the **** on top of the motor for a temporary fix.

Are the factory ones missing? if so then some auto parts store lamps that will fit would work. if you have the factory ones you may just need bulbs.

I would budget about 800$ to get everything back in working order. it wont be long untill you figure out how many other parts from this 20+ year old car need fixed. its all a game of nickles and dimes

 

I am so grateful for all the help I have received from the people on this site so far. I just had to express how much you guys are all providing me with all kinds of information and not once has anyone made me feel like I was an idiot.
Thanks

 

I had the same swerving problem when braking, new calipers and hoses did the trick. I was amazed at how bad those hoses looked, it's a miracle I had brakes at all.

 

The brake swerve i had the same problem when i bought my car new brake hoses pads calipers and rotors did all of that they work amazing.

 

If i were you i would go ahead and replace the master cylinder with a good line wrench its super easy and might even help with braking performance if its leaking a bit.

 

as far as seats go although ud have to change the track ive seen seats from sunfires used in 3rd gens

 

I had the same problem with my brakes too and after I drove it for about a month the caliper worked itself loose and now the brakes feel really good but I would still replace if I were you

 

I can't add much to what is already posted. Sounds like you have gotten some solid advice. As for the fan, make sure that someone has not added wiring to the circuit. I looked at a GTA once that had 24 guage speaker wire going from the fan to a toggle switch, to the battery, no fuse at all. The wire was nice a hot when the fan was running. When and where do you want this fire?If the PO grounded the fan control to the chassis ground and is using the OEM circuit, it should be OK, because that is all the fan switch does.