I didn't want to make a redundant thread here but the threads that came up in my searches pointed to old links that have since been removed. Anyhow, I'd really appreciate any help with these questions, I really know very little about fixing the things that go wrong.

I just bought a 91 firebird v8 305 with 67k miles.

1) Yesterday I went to turn on my headlights and the passenger side one had a 5 - 6 second hesitation before it came up. The motor makes a loud noise for about 10 seconds whenever I try to put that light up / down. It's getting annoying having my car wink at me. Is this something I can take out and figure out how to fix on my own?

2) My driver side rear view mirror is loose. You can use the little joystick-like thing to try to position it from the inside, but the mirror just tilts back down again after a few seconds. I unscrewed and took out the mirror, nothing seemed noticably broken. There are three silver wires that go from the back of the mirror into the door and connect to the joystick inside. I can't figure out what exactly is wrong with it so I dont know what to fix / replace.

3) Everything is stock, what would you do first to improve power /etc.?

Thanks a ton for any / all help.

 

1.) Sounds like your whole electrical system is running weak. I could be several things. Check your altanator & your battery. If either one is old, replace them. I would tend to think it's the altanator if your engine makes that noise. It probably means that the engine is running harder to produce the voltage needed to turn the light on.
2.) I have had teh same problem with my mirrors. The only way to fix it is to take off the inside panel of the door. Once it is off, you will see the main bolt that holds the mirror on. Tighen that bolt as tight as you can!
3.) Does your car have a carb or fuel injection? If it has fuel injection, look into getting a cold air intake. If it has a carb, look into getting a aftermarket carb like a holley.

 

The tips are greatly appreciated, I will open up my door panel tomorrow. On my healdight motor though, I meant that the little motor that opens and closes the healdlight door runs loud, not my engine. I think it may be worn gears in the motor but not sure.

 

1) Lube the Headlight motor actuator
2) Try to tighten up the little screw in the back of the mirror
3) Open air cleaner and full exhaust. That'll get it breathing better. Then go from there.

Hope this helps.

 

for your headlight I took that black cap off the turn thingy... the thing you turn to raise the headlight itself... and i sprayed some wd40 on it and the headlight stopped sqeeking and sticking to the hood

 

with my car one headlight motor worked and the other one didnt i took both apart and lightly sanded the brushes and such put them back together and now they both work fine.