Never hit a bump when receiving head in a C4.

At a local Chevy dealers service area, the first of the 84 C4s had arrived and was getting its dealer prep. During lunch, a couple of salesman found the unattended Corvette and took the top off for pictures and just set it back on. The lot boy happened to stroll by and saw the chance to go for a blast. The top flew off and he couldn’t find it. An angry UPS guy came rolling up with one side of his windshield smashed and a Corvette roof in hand.

I had a small leak in my Top and the damn thing blew up at about 156MPH. I thought I was in a ejection seat. Scared the shit out of me.

Number 6: Never speed without a radar detector.

I did NOT know about the issue with closing the hood with the doors open. Thanks for sharing that tip. It sounds like something I would have possibly done without this knowledge.

I found the exit process helpful. I am surprised someone who fails to secure the targa top before driving the car. Imagine the top flying into an unsuspecting car's windshield at highway speeds. It can potentially kills the occupants. Unreal.

Lyle is great.I wish i lived closer to his shop. I would definitely love to have him as my mechanic.

I learned about the steering column issue back in high school with my 82 Z-28. When I saw my 84 Vette had the same steering column, I avoided the steering wheel getting in and out of my car. 34,000 miles on my Vette, and the steering wheel, and column look, and function like new.

Having dismantled and reassembled my 87 with 4+3 a few times I'd like to add some more obscure stuff. - On the 4+3 there was a service bulletin that specified the transmission should always be put in 1st gear BEFORE trying to put it in reverse. The reverse is not even part of the manual transmission and has no synchronizers. This eliminate all kind of grinding when going in reverse - The 4+3 is a bulletproof, incredibly fun transmission if you aren't negligent and go through the pain of changing the oil and filter of the automatic unit once a year. - The manual 4 speed gearbox is really really really picky about gear oil. If after a gear oil change you suddenly feel the gearbox binds a bit when downshifting in first it can totally be that she doesn't like the gear oil. Try another brand. - The throttle cable is an often skipped issue on both autos and manuals. When I bought the car it took me a few weeks to realize that even if my pedal was fully pressed on, the cable only opened my throttle about 80% due to being elongated with use. Make sure your pedal opens the throttle fully. - The L98 runs naturally hot. Even more so when it's already hot and the AC is on. The two rearmost cylinders don't get the cooling later engines had. They are generally the ones that'll give trouble. Give them the best of chance by making sure your cooling system is up to snuff. That means new coolant hoses all around and frequent coolant changes, but don't forget about all those dead leaves and garbage that has accumulated between the AC radiator and the actual radiator and blocks airflow. - The best tool to work on your C4 is having a few hockey pucks to put between your precious Corvette and the various tools you are going to use to lift it off the ground. Thank me later. - Last, be very careful around the dozens of vacuum lines around the engine bay. They are not flexible and with the age will break just by looking at them. Chances are you have a few broken ones you don't even know about. A lot of issues on those cars can come from broken vacuum lines. Vacuum controls everything from EGR to the EVAP, as well as the AC. There is even a vacuum operated switch in the dash to control the cabin heat piping.

Just found this channel. So much good information! Seriously thank you for making all these videos man. I will definately be ordering off y'all the next time I need something

Thanks for posting this. Just bought a C4 and your vids are very helpful

Thank you So much!! Always something to learn about my 85 C4😎

I'm older with a bad back. I learned to scootch my butt over on to the frame sill and swing my legs out. From there basically just stand up. In and out of my '94 with no problem or big effort.

Great advice , I have had my C4 for little over a year now and did not know some of these.

Thanks for the video. Excellent points. Considering a C4 in a few months. Owned 3 classic Vettes back in the 70's, and early 80's. They were extra cool!

1st: C&S is a top flight organization. I installed their set of Superpro bushings in my C4 this summer and the car handles BEAUTIFULLY. ZERO squeaks from the bushings. 2nd: Everything he said is spot-on. 3rd: One thing to add... DO NOT shut a C4 door using the GLASS. Always use the handle or the door itself. You will eventually wear the guides/mounting hardware, and then trouble starts.

Thanks. Took notes for when I can go shopping for one. great advice for many sports cars.

I absolutely love you video's Lyle!!! You so eloquently explain things in such detail and with precision. I have spoken with you on multiple occasions in regards to related problems I've encountered with my 94 corvette and you have always been nothing but professional and honest when answering my questions. Thank you Lyle!!!! V/r Steve from California.

Thinking about purchasing my first C4 this year. Thanks for the tips!

WOW!!...Did not know about the door and hood thing...THANKS...Good tip...

Another excellent video, as usual. Fascinating argument for C4. It IS an awesome car. Thx for your effort.

Your videos are so helpful! Thankfully I as a C4 owner have not made any of those mistakes. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for doing your video. My 86 has been a daily driver for the eighteen years I've owned it, and did not know about the opened doors and hood issue. Now I know something I didn't know. My glass top was scraped pretty hard at some point, but I took a chance on the rest of the car. Still has that same top only painted to match cars color. I like it because now the interior feels much cooler in the reduction of the sun light. Keep up the good work.

I actually learned some things today about my car. The way the original owner took care of it, I am surprised he didn't tell me any of these. Thanks for the great tips.

I love the c4 they are eazy to fix

Wow,, Thanks.. This was good info: Especially about holding on to the steering wheel... I'll be changing asap! I have an 88 and the steering wheel is still tight...

I am a first time Corvette owner I have a 1989 C4 Convertible. I am learning a lot in the few videos that I have watched so far I will be watching more of them. I have been and will always be a Ford guy and Mustangs (Own 2 of them) are my love but there was something about this one that grabbed my attention.

Great tips! Love the channel!

Step 2 is a good one. Step 3 definitely. Do not trust those. I've bought a can of energy drink and put them in the cup holder, shifted it into reverse (6 speed) and the can tips over. Step 4 is also good. Mine was also in a front end accident from previous owner. I've chipped the fiberglass on my door panel from slamming the hood. Now I'm careful with it and lower the hood and press down to lock. Step 5 is also a good one if you have an optispark. I never washed the engine bay but it needs it. I have however had to replace my 94 optispark system due to it being completely rusted out. I think the year after 94 used an open (maybe closed) optispark distributor and that fixed a lot of issues. Good points in your video.

Thanks for a great video. Good info. From New Zealand

Nice video. Hadn't heard of the doors and hood one.

Very good information - learned something new-Thank you - God Bless

I recently purchased a 1996 corvette and a local corvette club president warned me about each of these issues. So happy to be informed. Actually I was told tsecure the hood was not to drop it but rather press down on one side than walk over to other side and press hood down into its lock position. It does feel better than dropping it to lock. Use micro fibre under your hand to protect paint when pushing down. 👍

Just brought a 1991 home a couple months ago since I couldn't find another NA Miata for the price and these are all good things to keep in mind. I know I have told several people that the steering wheel isn't a handle. The top thing is also big mine is usually off in the hatch or even at home I don't roll with it on often.

Good points. I knew all except the closing of the hood with the doors open.

For getting in and out. I’ve found it easiest to stand with my back facing the drivers seat(when the doors open) sitting in it with my legs still on the ground, then just spin/rotate my legs into the vehicle. Reverse the process for getting out. Really makes it much easier than cranking on the steering wheel and risking breaking something. I had my old man try the method (he’s overweight and had back problems) and he had no issues.

Didnt know the hood/doors tip. Thanks!

Good info for someone like me that just bought a 95 C4 Corvette

I want a Corvette bad. This channel has helped me decide which one.

Lyle , i would of never knew !, TY at 61 yo & looking into purchasing a C4 , ZR1 , 94 , LT5

All great things to remember, And ill try to remember the using the steering wheel as a handle one, and about the cup holders, even though im an avid Coke fan, (here in Georgia its almost a requirement, lol) but i dont allow any food or drink in my Baby, If whoevers riding with me is dying of thirst, they can have a bottled water, but thats it, may sound draconian, but It is the only way to keep your interior nice. Thanks for posting!, I just subbed.

Best video I've seen on the subject

Number 1: don’t fall asleep when driving it like me, because gm put recliners as seats and the car gets nice and warm when driving :)

Great video happy to be in Sarasota as well

Bought new and still have a 1995. I did number one 1 or 2 times, but would lay the tool on top of the dash to remind me to tighten the bolts before driving. I've pressured washed (coin car wash) a few times and never had an issue. I've heard the ~95 optis are improved in reference to water damage. 261,000 miles. Plan to put the transmission back in it soon, possibly today. Been on Jack stands since 2016.

Great advice. I didn’t know about the hood and door issue. That was a scary thought of that happening. I have a 91 that just turned 33,000 miles.

Thank you -- I'm glad I've never done any of these things, but not because I knew not to...

Starting to drive my C4 next week (after 10 years standing still), didn't know about the cupholders. Will look out for that, thanks!

I knew these already, but good video. Good info.

THANK YOU. GOOD TIPS

THANK YOU! GOOD STUFF! NEW SUB. ALWAYS THUMBS UP!

Lyle thanks all good stuff kudos.

Good tips, caught the smog technician using the steering wheeel to get out.

Excellent i have 1984 X4 corvette it was give to me I didn't know engine compartment to pressure wash it don't do and why thanku so so very much u are awesome Michael pagliuco of union nj

Aggressive driving like I can't drive 55 , Thank you for this video a few I didn't know , Be seeing you for some bushings , 88 C 4 4+3 Z 52

Thank you sir!

awesome tips. thank you

Great video - thanks!

Great video..thanks for the tips...

Thanks......never can hear good info too much!!!!

Thank you! i was just about to go out and wash my engine bay this weekend XD, you saved me

Oh I'm sorry that's X4 1984 Corvette under that X4 i messed up i went to fast my dear friend again u rank supreme in my book wat a knowledgeable gentleman again thanks a million Michael Charles from union new jersey born and raised

Thank you. Good to know. Too late for me about the cup holder advice.

That steering wheel tip also goes for F body Camaros. I put my hand on the bottom of the door seal and push up while I get out.

Thanks for tips

great tips

Thank you sir

Thanks Lyle, I'll be sure to follow your advice, (owner 96 LT4)

Had 2 previous c4's thinking of getting another one. I found a trick after washing your c4 Vette, water collects at the front of the hatch along the sides, use a turkey baster to get the water out.

As of Saturday....New C4 owner here. I needed every bit of this video. I grabbed the steering wheel on a couple of exits🤦🏽‍♂️. Any links on a good after market cup holder? Thanks Again. 👍🏽😃

Great tips, never thought about number 4. I made a whole vid on my channel about different ways to get in and out to avoid Issue 2!

Yep all true 👍. Especially #3

I recently purchased a 85 C4 and the engine looks pretty clean. I was just about to power wash it. I’m so glad I seen your video first. Although I am guilty of getting out of it once by the steering wheel. (Won’t happen again) Thanks for the tip in securing the top and the order of hood to doors closing steps 👊🏾

I did lose a top on my first C-4 in 1986. Only had to happen once. Thanks for info.

You make great videos; you really need to try and make more, because they're so dang interesting and you're really great at making them. Thanks for the tips.

I inherited an '88 and I think I found out the hard way about the steering wheel thing. The VATS went bad (shocker, right?) and was replacing the tumbler, but when we opened the column the plastic was all cracked and busted, ended up having to replace the column.

good advice ty

excellent, as usual;

I did not know about the doors and hood, the previous owner must have found out the hard way. I see the corner of the hood is chipped (no damage to the door). Thanks for the pointers.

I used to maintain police cars and I recall how the old mid 1980s LTD Crown Vic steering columns used to break quite often because they had alloy pieces that couldn’t support all of those recycled Dunkin Donuts.

I like this channel.

I lv all of your videos

I can't understand the thumbs down, as a long time C4 owner all are on point. As a 1990 owner which suffers from one year parts, you don't want to have to replace any of them.

great info. i have a 1989 c4. thanks

This is a great video. I always screw the top down. I know a person lost two C7 targa tops because he forgot. I have some cracked paint on my hood of my 89 6 spd. I don't show the car. i'm thinking of repairing the crack and painting two white stripes on the hood. Do you have any suggestions with respect to videos, materials and the whole process. I keep thinking of getting a newer ECM. Do youknow of an aftermarket ECM that will work and the dash will still work. One more thing. My dash indicates I have low oil pressure. Sometimes zero. I put a mechanical gauge. The OP never goes below 15 at idle. I have changed the sensor three times. Any suggestions would be appreciated. sorry for all the questions. Thank you

The only time I use the cup holders is if I’m going in a straight line

Amen my friend by the way number five you look like the Undertaker rolling your eyes backwards all you needed was he's hat but thank you sir😊

learned the hard way no more using the pop ups as a potable table for blow

#6, buy the hood release tool/make emergency release cables. Your hood release cable WILL FAIL at around 100k miles and when it does its almost impossible to get the hood open without the tool. Ask me how I know..

just a question: Any advice on tightening or strengthening the rear view mirror mount?

Coming from a guy who tried to clean his engine bay a couple years ago... it only took a couple sprays from a normal hose attachment to ruin my optispark. If you get a new opti tho and your car is before 1996 you can get the modified vented unit that the 96 has. MSD makes a kit that vents air through. It plugs in right I front of the mass airflow sensor, highly recommend👌

Good info. Heres my tip: don't remove the top! .... car handles poorly without it. I did it once when I got the car in 2012 and left it on at all times since. Funny thing is some owners don't feel any difference so maybe its just some of them.

I have had an LT1 for 17 years. I never washed it cause I’ lazy. I had nothing, but good times with that engine. It’s good advice I guess.

Also watch out for rain puddles my brother whent into a 8 inch puddle while doing about 40mph and it was misfiring for days

Great video, as always. More C4 videos, please! Thanks for your efforts. PS - isn’t the C4 OptiSpark somehow less susceptible to water damage (I have a 96’ LT4/GS)? Is it therefore safe to use a regular hose to spray only from top? Anyway, thx again.

Is the cinch button on the seatbelts suppose to lock both the shoulder strap and the lap strap, or just the lap strap?

The screw on the front right of my top was stripped. It would make a wobbling noise when I would drive and I figured the rest would hold it on. Well the left side started unscrewing itself even if I tightened it as hard as I could. One day on the highway the top sounded wobbly and when I hit 55 mph the front screw came off and my top went damn near perpendicular. Scared the shit out of me.

Yep...The top thing happen to me ...Forgot to tighten it down and blew off on a busy road almost hitting the car behind me...As it turned out by coincidence that car was driven by my neighbor so when l got home l had to walk across the street and apologize...Embarrassing ...$300 to repaint...

Amazing and inspiring. I’m a musician and this gives me lots of fuel for the imagination, so thank you! 🎤

My guy is a walking Corvette Encyclopedia