Just a word of advise. I been a mechanic for 32+ years now. Next time on a low car like the Vette. Put it on a lift and bring the work up to you. Save your back. Being bent over as you were made my back hurt. Work smart, Not Hard. Keep up the great videos.
The reason I watch you is your by yourself. Thats how I work also. Most channels have this "BRO" crap and the silliness along with it and I usually turn them off. I really hope you do a complete job on this Vette and get it painted and mint out the interior. I'm a C3 collector and love them.
Eric got a smoking hot deal on this car. He's on fire with this rebuild. The anticipation is burning him up. The flames of passion are consuming him. He's hit under the collar for this. Hope it all doesn't turn to ash. ......I'll see myself out
Something many C4 owners do is attach a small lanyard to each hood latch and route it just below the windshield wipers. Those cables are known to break even when they aren't on fire. There is also a tool out there designed to help release a hood with broken cables, but it can be tricky to get into position.
This last summer i put in emergency hood release cables in the cowl but under the hood by the wiper blades. Best $5 you'll spend on this thing. Took about 15 mins to install
Great job with the hood! My partner Bob was a forklift operator for over 40 years, and he said he understood the: I totally just puckered statement! Great work sir!
You have to be excited getting that parts car, now you can get the other one running and enjoy it . I was driving mine today. Oh, the black plastic under the front bumper is the spoiler that deflects air into the rad. There are two sizes, the shorter one is on a regular cooling system and the longer one is on cars with a Z51 option. My corvette has the z51 option.
I had a car where the actual wire broke on the hood release. I was able to climb under the car, and stick my hands up between the bumper, and radiator to the release. Shoved a flat head in it, and I was able to pop it open, which I was very thankful for.
I wouldn't be surprised if that car has a LT4 hot cam in it. They painted the early LT1 intake, late intakes had the fuel cross over in the middle of the intake, painted the water pump so it has been off. if you pull the water pump it has likely leaked and killed especially that early opti. If you update to the later opti (late 94 addition I believe), you have to change the pin on the end of the cam. Getting the pin out is a pain. LT4 hot cams were cheap and came with the newer style pin. Pull the valve covers and see if it has 1.6 roller rockers as most who swapped cams, swapped rockers. Granted I didn't see the vent tube for the later opti run to the intake ducting. I updated the opti on my 93 to the later one. You needed the pin, front cover, water pump and opti of course. I think that was it but it has been ~20 years. Always wish I did a cam at that time. Yes you likely know all this but I couldn't resist. Good luck on the C4. I miss driving mine but don't miss wrenching on it. I much prefer wrenching on my C5 Z06.
Parts cars are great to have. It took my 4 Scout II's to make one good one. Ended up with a profit and free truck when I was done. Every night from Januart to August to get it done.
Watching the bit with lifting the hood with the forklift was great! Also, I like how it makes sense to get a parts car that costs more than the project. Keep up the great work!
I am a retired auto mechanic. In the late '90s I worked (briefly) at a Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC dealership service department. The Chevrolet dealership in town sold Corvettes but the technicians there refused to work on them. I said I'd do it and was inundated with work. I don't know what the problem was as I didn't find them to be much more difficult to work on than anything else. A bit more difficult , but not by much. I'd rather work on Vettes than Volkswagens or Beemers any day. I cannot stand European automotive engineering.
Same. Gen 2 smallblocks are gloriously simple. Like what- like 16 sensor plugs to the entire harness give or take? If you have the right tools and know how to use them, it can be quite fun wrenching on vettes. Most garages refused to even work on my Camaro, but it was honestly the easiest and most enjoyable engine drop I've ever done.
They sure did use enough screws and bolts for that front end. Many cars may just have 2 bolts, all other fasteners are just plastic clips + some plastic rivet retainers
Somehow this was so soothing to watch (except when the hood came off, but I didn't doubt your method!!) I love watching you and your project car antics makes me want to finally tackle mine
As always, a mid week video is a special treat. Although my auto- mechanic (and refrigeration mechanic) days are behind me, I find this to be pure entertainment. I still help out my sons in their automotive endeavors and (last month we replaced the headlight assemblies on my wife's 2014 Pilot), I have never watched one of you videos without learning something new. Keep it up. If I ever need foreign car parts I know where to look.
What type of gloves do you use? I run a production line in Kansas City, rebuilding locomotive air compressors, and we currently buy our gloves through Air Gas... But they rip very easy... Really enjoy your content as well. I can relate to the carnage you see in some of your teardowns! You should see some of the machines that come through our facility.
It's a shame that parts car was in a fire. It was such low miles and looked like it was in very good shape before said fire. At least it will live on by keeping other C4's on the road. Can't wait to see yours finished and back on the road.
Eric, you can use R12 parts with 134a, the major difference is in the rubber "O" ring seals. They have to be changed because 134a is a smaller molecule and would leak past the black rubber seals from R12
Thanks for the video, enjoyed it very much. I’m going to have to do the exact same thing eventually twice. Like you, I purchased the entire car rather than just the parts I need right now. Have been selling off parts recouping my purchase cost. So when I’m done the parts I needed in the beginning will be free. Plus I will have all kinds of spare fasteners, clips, wire harness parts & ECU. The whole car is the way to go!!
There is a junkyard in Central Florida, all he does is part out & C3 & C4 corvettes. He has an inventory of approximately 1,000 cars. Maybe he has what u need without hassle
Not sure if you realize it or not, but cars with R-12 can be converted to R-134a. Need to Flush the system, evaporator, compressor, accumulator and the condenser. To get rid of the original mineral oil and use a POE oil. Not sure of the pour point 32 or 64.
Please Eric if possible make your website to where I am able to search Make, Model, Year as filters. It is almost perfect except for the part search lol For example, if I search for "325i" on your site I am met with 2,458 results. On the first page(!) I am already met with GM, MOPAR, Ford parts. I understand 325i is not very specific but this means that the rest of those 2,458 results are going to be mostly unimportant to my search for 325i parts. I will comment on every video until maybe one day my dreams will be realized. P.S. I am looking for door panels for a '95 325i convertible (coupe would fit and work also) as well as most of the front seat interior. Thanks for the videos :)
This is a great video! I'm in the process of buying a really nice 1993 C4 convertible, but I know it will need parts, and of course maintenance. And some things like a new radiator. This step by step front end disassembly will help me through that process! I'm going to send you a private email asking for parts that I know I'll need. Thanks!
Pretty awesome you picked up a pretty good parts car Eric! Epic use of the fork lift. I always have an experienced pair of hands helping with hoods. Can't wait to see the finished product!! An Engine request and it's a rare one in the US. The Mitsubishi 6A13TT out of the 8G Galant and Legnum. Don't laugh at the size of the turbos lol. Epic channel that's impossible not to binge watch!
O'm really enjoying watching these C4 videos of yours Eric, thank you. I was planning on buying and building myself a Plymouth Duster body to my specs, but even the prices on those car bodies are going through the frigin roof. So I've decided to buy myself one of the C4 bodies and build it to my personal specs. For reasons unknown to man, I really like LH2 Cadillac Northstar engines, probably has something to do with me being a 50% car guy, and a 50% motorcycle guy, know what I'm saying? Lol.
Swap the rear ends. The automatic cars came with the Dana 36, the manuals came with the beefier Dana 44. I think the auto came with a 307 gear, the Dana 44 had a 3:45.
Hmm that mystery connector on the drivers side is where the charcoal canister/purge valve is on my 85. I know the later cars are very different but just a thought.
R-134a uses POE (synthetic) oil which does not mix with the mineral oil in the R-12 system. A drop in replacement for R-12 is R-290, uses the same oil and all with no loss of capacity. Use caution as R-290 is commercially known as propane so watch those front end collisions.
Now, you just need the head gaskets and the heads checked and machined along with the proper cooling system. Hope the heads can be saved, but who knows?
Better hope that computer is good. I needed to buy five of them (rebuilt) for my 92 before I could get one to work. Soon as i got it running I sent it down the road.
I really love your videos!! I know this might be a little out in left field, but I'm gonna ask anyway... Have you ever done a teardown on aircraft engines?? Specifically, a flat 6 Cessna, a radial, turbo prop, or even a jet? I'm sure you probably don't get any call for it, just an interest... ;-) Again, great videos. I really like seeing some of the carnage that you unveil... Thank you for providing these! being a former technician, I can appreciate some of the damage we see. Have you done any nitrous failure teardowns?
Eric, I watch YTer Sarah-N-Tune and I love her, BUT she washes everything before during, and after working on them, and it drives me nuts. So Thanks for keeping it dirty. lol!
It's funny how your forklift sounds like a leaf blower when you speed up the footage. Those tires look almost brand new. I don't know what brand they are, but score!
Lol there is a c4 in my local area Craigslist parts car/ project cuz its cat converters caught fire and burned up some of the interior, from the outside it looks fine
Just a word of advise. I been a mechanic for 32+ years now. Next time on a low car like the Vette. Put it on a lift and bring the work up to you. Save your back. Being bent over as you were made my back hurt. Work smart, Not Hard. Keep up the great videos.
I’ve been working at Toyota for like almost a year, (been in other shops for 3 years) and so far this has been the best advice on keeping my body okay
nowhere near as glorious as a mechanic detailers as well i am shortish but even for me spending 8+ hours a day half bent over . torture !
Any advice for detailers ?
must be nice having a lift lol I've been relegated to jack stands since 15 because poor
Are knee pads any help?
The reason I watch you is your by yourself. Thats how I work also. Most channels have this "BRO" crap and the silliness along with it and I usually turn them off. I really hope you do a complete job on this Vette and get it painted and mint out the interior. I'm a C3 collector and love them.
Eric got a smoking hot deal on this car. He's on fire with this rebuild. The anticipation is burning him up. The flames of passion are consuming him. He's hit under the collar for this. Hope it all doesn't turn to ash.
......I'll see myself out
I think we need to hose you down...
why are you like this
you're fired
The flames 🔥 of the one liner live on.. love puns!
Oh, I see what you did there.
Something many C4 owners do is attach a small lanyard to each hood latch and route it just below the windshield wipers. Those cables are known to break even when they aren't on fire.
There is also a tool out there designed to help release a hood with broken cables, but it can be tricky to get into position.
This last summer i put in emergency hood release cables in the cowl but under the hood by the wiper blades. Best $5 you'll spend on this thing. Took about 15 mins to install
I applaud your resourcefulness, in getting that hood off, without damage. Keep up the great work.
LOL - only thing that could beat that hood removal and storage would be to do it one-handed! Nice adapting.
I LOL'ed
It only took one hand on forklift controls to lift it. lol
Great job with the hood! My partner Bob was a forklift operator for over 40 years, and he said he understood the: I totally just puckered statement! Great work sir!
You have to be excited getting that parts car, now you can get the other one running and enjoy it . I was driving mine today. Oh, the black plastic under the front bumper is the spoiler that deflects air into the rad. There are two sizes, the shorter one is on a regular cooling system and the longer one is on cars with a Z51 option. My corvette has the z51 option.
Awesome, Eric. I’ve been working on C4s for about 34 years now.
I had a car where the actual wire broke on the hood release. I was able to climb under the car, and stick my hands up between the bumper, and radiator to the release. Shoved a flat head in it, and I was able to pop it open, which I was very thankful for.
I wouldn't be surprised if that car has a LT4 hot cam in it. They painted the early LT1 intake, late intakes had the fuel cross over in the middle of the intake, painted the water pump so it has been off. if you pull the water pump it has likely leaked and killed especially that early opti. If you update to the later opti (late 94 addition I believe), you have to change the pin on the end of the cam. Getting the pin out is a pain. LT4 hot cams were cheap and came with the newer style pin. Pull the valve covers and see if it has 1.6 roller rockers as most who swapped cams, swapped rockers. Granted I didn't see the vent tube for the later opti run to the intake ducting.
I updated the opti on my 93 to the later one. You needed the pin, front cover, water pump and opti of course. I think that was it but it has been ~20 years. Always wish I did a cam at that time. Yes you likely know all this but I couldn't resist. Good luck on the C4. I miss driving mine but don't miss wrenching on it. I much prefer wrenching on my C5 Z06.
How in hell this guy is not at 500k subs 🤷🏼♂️
I mean this channel is awesome, keep the good work 😁👍🏻
Parts cars are great to have. It took my 4 Scout II's to make one good one. Ended up with a profit and free truck when I was done. Every night from Januart to August to get it done.
Watching the bit with lifting the hood with the forklift was great! Also, I like how it makes sense to get a parts car that costs more than the project. Keep up the great work!
The power of imagination, hydraulics and rachet straps!
I am a retired auto mechanic. In the late '90s I worked (briefly) at a Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC dealership service department. The Chevrolet dealership in town sold Corvettes but the technicians there refused to work on them. I said I'd do it and was inundated with work. I don't know what the problem was as I didn't find them to be much more difficult to work on than anything else. A bit more difficult , but not by much. I'd rather work on Vettes than Volkswagens or Beemers any day. I cannot stand European automotive engineering.
any car is better to work on than german garbage
Neither can us Europeans! BMW parts just rot into each other. I like Mercedes but I'd enjoy being around big American cars. Sadsly none here SW UK..
Agree!
Bimmers!!! Get it right bud 😂
Same. Gen 2 smallblocks are gloriously simple. Like what- like 16 sensor plugs to the entire harness give or take? If you have the right tools and know how to use them, it can be quite fun wrenching on vettes. Most garages refused to even work on my Camaro, but it was honestly the easiest and most enjoyable engine drop I've ever done.
Your problem solving skills are like a firehose(haha) of positivity and always improve my day.
Nice to see a disassembly that will be an assembly. And you have a great video of how it came apart! Loving this Corvette work!
I love a good C4 with a ZF6 great shifting extremely fun car. LT1 makes great torque if you can use the 3.45 rear gear
Lots of videos on TH-cam showing cars being repaired. Actually getting to see one of the parts cars get taken apart for salvage is seriously cool!
I love the inventiveness of creating, from nothing, that absent second pair of "hands"
Well done!
Wait till you get yours done, you're going to love the power and you'll be able to spank all those newer German cars
I'm glad you found a good parts car, that six speed, LT1, and computer are tempting. You've made decide to fix mine, it's off soon.
Love the video, thanks! Also, I’d love to see a 2.7 eco boost out a f150 broken down. The timing chains are supposedly a issue.
Chain problems with the 3.5 too
2.7 in an f150. What were they thinking. Talk about being under a constant load without even pulling one.
Getting factory original is always the best. Cool parts car.
Basically a legal chop shop. Real money there.
They sure did use enough screws and bolts for that front end. Many cars may just have 2 bolts, all other fasteners are just plastic clips + some plastic rivet retainers
Thank you for another cool video, Eric!
Wishing you and Family a Merry Christmas!
Your content fills a big hole in auto entertainment .
“Learn by taking apart “
One-year-only LT1 magnesium valve covers. If those are intact, they're worth money, especially the driver's side.
I know that you were nervous on the whole hood thing. But I really love the way you handled it. Big brain moment :)
I'll have to wait to get my parts. I'm cloning vette parts with slight mods to fit the solstice/sky roadsters. Thanks for the video.
Somehow this was so soothing to watch (except when the hood came off, but I didn't doubt your method!!) I love watching you and your project car antics makes me want to finally tackle mine
As always, a mid week video is a special treat. Although my auto- mechanic (and refrigeration mechanic) days are behind me, I find this to be pure entertainment. I still help out my sons in their automotive endeavors and (last month we replaced the headlight assemblies on my wife's 2014 Pilot), I have never watched one of you videos without learning something new. Keep it up. If I ever need foreign car parts I know where to look.
What type of gloves do you use? I run a production line in Kansas City, rebuilding locomotive air compressors, and we currently buy our gloves through Air Gas... But they rip very easy... Really enjoy your content as well. I can relate to the carnage you see in some of your teardowns! You should see some of the machines that come through our facility.
Once again you borrow our channel motto. "The right tool for the job is the one you got!"
You need to have a four post lift, will ease your disassembly job.
It's a shame that parts car was in a fire. It was such low miles and looked like it was in very good shape before said fire. At least it will live on by keeping other C4's on the road. Can't wait to see yours finished and back on the road.
Eric, you can use R12 parts with 134a, the major difference is in the rubber "O" ring seals. They have to be changed because 134a is a smaller molecule and would leak past the black rubber seals from R12
Watching you do that reminds me of when I put a 6’ x 8’ window in a house by myself good god that was a job
The corvettes are multiplying, run
They don’t really run so I could just walk.
Thanks for the video, enjoyed it very much. I’m going to have to do the exact same thing eventually twice. Like you, I purchased the entire car rather than just the parts I need right now. Have been selling off parts recouping my purchase cost. So when I’m done the parts I needed in the beginning will be free. Plus I will have all kinds of spare fasteners, clips, wire harness parts & ECU. The whole car is the way to go!!
According to Jason Camisa, the radiator is tilted back 15 degrees to lower the cross section to radar
I didn't see any fire damage at first and I thought that was way too nice to be a donor car. That changed quickly though!
Stoked on your vids, keep it up!
There is a junkyard in Central Florida, all he does is part out & C3 & C4 corvettes. He has an inventory of approximately 1,000 cars. Maybe he has what u need without hassle
Not sure if you realize it or not, but cars with R-12 can be converted to R-134a. Need to Flush the system, evaporator, compressor, accumulator and the condenser. To get rid of the original mineral oil and use a POE oil. Not sure of the pour point 32 or 64.
I am aware, however the lines and condenser are physically different. My car is 134a so I’ll just look for 134a parts
Appears to have had a fire from a mouse nest in the heater box. Typical in those cars.
Great parts car for a classic build
'I'm totally puckered right now'.... best quote ever
What are your fave gloves for this type of work? Love your videos!
Atta boy Eric!
Please Eric if possible make your website to where I am able to search Make, Model, Year as filters. It is almost perfect except for the part search lol
For example, if I search for "325i" on your site I am met with 2,458 results. On the first page(!) I am already met with GM, MOPAR, Ford parts. I understand 325i is not very specific but this means that the rest of those 2,458 results are going to be mostly unimportant to my search for 325i parts. I will comment on every video until maybe one day my dreams will be realized.
P.S. I am looking for door panels for a '95 325i convertible (coupe would fit and work also) as well as most of the front seat interior. Thanks for the videos :)
This is a great video! I'm in the process of buying a really nice 1993 C4 convertible, but I know it will need parts, and of course maintenance. And some things like a new radiator. This step by step front end disassembly will help me through that process! I'm going to send you a private email asking for parts that I know I'll need. Thanks!
Nice project
I love these dustbuster corvettes!!
Thanks for the video. I have a 93 so it was nice to see how to take the front apart if I have to
Ah yes, a forklift, the best way to check the tensile strength of anything that you just happen to leave bolted/clipped in 🤣🤣
Why is it going "rrrr" instead of "weeee"? Oh...
Is this becoming the fire-car channel? 🤣
Great video again! 👍
You have a great sense of humor! Just like mine - snarky.
Hey, Legit Street Cars needs a top for his C4 project
He can reach out, I have several here.
that engine is the one year only LT4 , great engine
Pretty awesome you picked up a pretty good parts car Eric! Epic use of the fork lift. I always have an experienced pair of hands helping with hoods.
Can't wait to see the finished product!!
An Engine request and it's a rare one in the US. The Mitsubishi 6A13TT out of the 8G Galant and Legnum. Don't laugh at the size of the turbos lol.
Epic channel that's impossible not to binge watch!
O'm really enjoying watching these C4 videos of yours Eric, thank you.
I was planning on buying and building myself a Plymouth Duster body to my specs, but even the prices on those car bodies are going through the frigin roof. So I've decided to buy myself one of the C4 bodies and build it to my personal specs.
For reasons unknown to man, I really like LH2 Cadillac Northstar engines, probably has something to do with me being a 50% car guy, and a 50% motorcycle guy, know what I'm saying? Lol.
Finish that project 😊
Good video. I'm enjoying the rebuilding of the Corvette, keep the videos coming. 👍
WOW! That was a real pain in the patutie.
Great video. Always enjoy them.
GREAT VIDEO!
Love the complete car teardown! Do a 2nd gen Lexus GS300 please 🙏
How much weight is in all the fasteners? Fiberglass helps cut down on the weight but lord so many screws / bolts / nuts it's amazing!
i really look forward to your vids.
Swap the rear ends. The automatic cars came with the Dana 36, the manuals came with the beefier Dana 44. I think the auto came with a 307 gear, the Dana 44 had a 3:45.
My car is a manual with the 3.45 Dana 44
@I_Do_Cars Oh okay, I guess I missed that part. That Dama 44 should draw a little $$. That's a popular upgrade from the Dana 36.
Another great teardown video. Keep it going
Really enjoyed watching
Off course the water pump is red, It adds at least 5hp, just like with brake calipers.
Hmm that mystery connector on the drivers side is where the charcoal canister/purge valve is on my 85. I know the later cars are very different but just a thought.
I thought it was the snowplow hook-up 😂
Lol plow connector 😂
Just noticed you that you have the correct shoes on for 'Vette work
Gotta be careful about setting tools on the windshield. You might scratch it! 🤣😂🤣
vette-cart... your almost there..
Your video are so technological and informative.
Blue is for water......
What is yellow ?
Used beer?
I think it’s any used drinkable liquid
My thought was hey a parts car for the parts car and would like to see if the engine is able to run or do a possible strip down of the engine
"It had an engine fire, but I think the hood was up." 😂
Dissasembly is the reverse of assembly,,,as long as it's done in the reverse exact sequence (last on, first off!)
I actually assisted Bowling Green develop the special tool to open the hoods.
You can use R134 in an R12 system. Need to replace the receiver drier and sometimes the compressor oil. It works I have done it.
R-134a uses POE (synthetic) oil which does not mix with the mineral oil in the R-12 system. A drop in replacement for R-12 is R-290, uses the same oil and all with no loss of capacity. Use caution as R-290 is commercially known as propane so watch those front end collisions.
@Max Wedge That's why we replace the compressor oil before filling with R134. We do not recommend propane, tends to go bang when you least expect it.
All these c4 videos making me miss my 1990 with the 6 speed red with tan interior
That 6 speed is 1500 bucks !
great job !!!
Can someone explain what he meant at 20:50 about his car being 134 and not being able to use the AC lines from the parts car
Now, you just need the head gaskets and the heads checked and machined along with the proper cooling system. Hope the heads can be saved, but who knows?
I've seen worse engine fires that were rebuilt and were fine afterwards .
@@thomasfletcher760 Yeah, but that fried vette will just be parted out. At least that is the initial plan.
@@johnmoore8599 sorry , meant the engine may be salvageable and rebuilt
@@thomasfletcher760 If he can get it running, he might sell it as is. If not, it might make a decent short block. Either would be a nice video.
I do cars is the type of guy...just kidding. .Merry Christmas Eric!
Will you be able to use parts from this engine to repair your engine?
Better hope that computer is good. I needed to buy five of them (rebuilt) for my 92 before I could get one to work. Soon as i got it running I sent it down the road.
Maybe you need the computer to be plugged in in order to see the mileage.
I really love your videos!! I know this might be a little out in left field, but I'm gonna ask anyway... Have you ever done a teardown on aircraft engines?? Specifically, a flat 6 Cessna, a radial, turbo prop, or even a jet? I'm sure you probably don't get any call for it, just an interest... ;-) Again, great videos. I really like seeing some of the carnage that you unveil... Thank you for providing these! being a former technician, I can appreciate some of the damage we see. Have you done any nitrous failure teardowns?
Is there a chance you could do a 5.2 magnum tear down. I have yet to find one makes wonder if they are bulletproof
Eric, I watch YTer Sarah-N-Tune and I love her, BUT
she washes everything before during, and after working on them,
and it drives me nuts.
So Thanks for keeping it dirty. lol!
It's funny how your forklift sounds like a leaf blower when you speed up the footage.
Those tires look almost brand new. I don't know what brand they are, but score!
Lol there is a c4 in my local area Craigslist parts car/ project cuz its cat converters caught fire and burned up some of the interior, from the outside it looks fine