I got an 87 GTA yeaterday, and ive noticed a few things.
#1. The tranny wont downshift when under a load.
#2 car pulls severely to the right (i think its tie rods)
#3 The cam part number I got from the invoice is crane cams 104101, cranes site tells me that thats a compucams 2010 for a 305, but my motor is a 350, would the previous owner have put a 305 cam in (foor smooth idle or something)? How can i check?
If anyone can enlighten me i would be really appreciative.

 

1)You might want to try a shift kit. They usualy help for this problem.
2)could be bad steering pump, alignment (depending on what speed), or maybe a tie rod. If its cracked you will here a tick/popping noise when turning.
3)Are you sure the car has a 350-(just asking because the 5-speeds came with the 305 and some of the t-top cars came with 305s)??

 

try adjusting the transmission TV cable, one direction delays upshifts/downshifts and increases shift firmness, other direction makes car shift earlier and have softer shifts.

 

First, before shift kits lets do some basic maintenance. Tranny filter and new fluid and a TV cable adjustment. The severe pull could be many things. Either inspect the front-end yourself or take it to a shop and have them give you a list of what needs to be replaced. Could be a dragging rotor. Speaking of brakes, pull the wheel and look at the discs, drums, whatever.
Behind the distributor ont he pad leading to the tranny are some numbers. Jot those down and check them on this site. Remember, you are learning a new friend and this takes time!
Congrats on your purchase.

 

Well I took it to my uncle, who knows a ton. He sais that my right tie rod is rubbing against the wheel and is bad, and that the tranny probably needs a shift soleniod. It only does it going uphill, and when it does the car starts shaking to hell. It just had a flush and filter done to it, but it came from Iowa, the land of no hills, so i dont think he knew about it. The spoiler clip is broken off, i have no idea how to fix that, the articulating seats wont work, and I have to install a radio because the original was stolen, and im over my head on that too. The things we do for love...