84 with possible problems

I'm not at home to look at the car myself and see what is happening, but I just bought a 84 Vette and my lil brother went to pick it up for me today. on the home with the car, it started smoking and died on him. he put some water in it and let it cool off for about 20 minutes and then drove it home with no problems. The person i bought it from hasn't drove the car in forever, so i figure i will probably run into some problems early on since the car has not been ran recently. I'm going to have all the fluids flushed out and replaced and get an oil change and see if that does anything for it. Just wondering if anybody knew what the problem might be off the top of thier head. The only other problems i know of is that the power seat won't go back and forward, it is stuck where it's at. The digital display for the guages won't come on when you turn the car over, but comes on for a minute when you turn the key just a little a bit. And the passenger side window won't roll up and down, and it's not the motor because they bought a new motor for it and it still didn't work. I'm not complaining, these sound like pretty small problems. I got a great deal on the car. Only paid $4,500 for it. I think i got a good deal, just hope there isn't more wrong with it than i know about.

If your looking at a heating problem, change the thermostat. If the car has been sitting for a period of time the thermostat has probably gotten stuck. I'd replace it with the type that if they stick, they stick in the open position. They are available at your parts store.

The power window problem is probably in your window switch. Easy fix, pop the switch out and carefully pop the switch itself apart and clean the contacts. Put it back together and you SHOULD be good to go. The contacts get a film of corrosion on them if they aren't used for periods of time. Since it is the passenger side, I doubt if you have any broken wires, that is usually caused from use over time and I doubt that the pass. door was opened all that much. Watch CAREFULLY how the switch comes apart, there is likely some small springs that will come out and they will have to go back where they came from.

Best thing to do is take the switch to a smooth, well-lighted space like a kitchen table, so that if anything does come out, you will see it.

Good luck, it does sound like a buy.

-slacker

if it sat for a while the water in the car might have evaporated so it being low on water he made it get hot then he filled it with water and thats why it ran fine... dont buy a thermostat other than stock a lower temp can cause the oil to sludge.... as far as the dash i believe that is a super common problem with the 84 vettes. id take it to a ase mechanic and he can tell you how to fix or he can fix i wouldnt attempt anything yourself because that cluster is several hundred dollars...... RICKY

Do yourself a favor with the power window button.
Slacker 53 is right about the contacts not working. If you go to www.mamotorworks.com (Mid America Motorworks), you will find a brand new power window switch for less than 10.00. Easy to replace. Unplug the old one, plug in the new one, and you're done with it!