Just bought 1986 Base C4 with 3700 miles starts runs then.....

Hey! - THanks for your suggestions!  It's so frustrating as it happens EVERYTIME it hits about 178-180 degrees. Shut off - let it sit - fires right back up.  Will look into the fuel pump suggestions!  Enjoy your Vette!

Just use a magnet, won't stick to aluminum.

That sounds like the problem I had with my ‘93 but it is li  oh ely something else. The 93 cars have bad distributors which often need to be replaced. Just in case, has someone checked your distributor?

Check the idle control valve and clean the throttle body

Hello and thanks for your suggestion - turns out - the company I ordered a refurbished ECM did NOT program it correctly  - have been able to get it to run just fine and now doesnt stall out - however, it is still not programmed correctly!  The Service Engine Light stays on all the time!   So - time to remove the entire ECM AGAIN - hopefully this time the unit WILL be propertly reprogrammed.. soon!

Good Day,

Congratulations on your new ride.  Buying a classic car that has sat for some time do need some TLC to get it up to peak performance.  All the other members have made some very good advice.   I have taken care of a private car collection for some time and I would recommend changing all the motor fluids and the drivetrain oils.   The Anti freeze is often forgotten but it is important due to the rust inhibitors that break down over time and no longer provide protection and that starts to deteriorate the seals and gaskets.  The C4 Corvette is real easy to change the in tank fuel pump and completely remove all the old gas.  There are lots of you tube videos that can guide you.  The fuel injectors in the L98 motors are very sensitive to harsh fuel cleaners so be careful how much you mix in the fuel.  The injectors have coated wires inside and the fuel washes over these wires and disks and if too harsh a chemical will deteriorate the wire coating and the fuel injector will fail.  I learned this the hard way on my personal car.  Changing the injectors on a tuned port injected car is quite involved and will be a 2 day project.  

Once you get all the maintenance done these cars are very reliable and a blast to drive.   Save the wave and enjoy!!  

Good Day,

Congratulations on your new ride.  Buying a classic car that has sat for some time do need some TLC to get it up to peak performance.  All the other members have made some very good advice.   I have taken care of a private car collection for some time and I would recommend changing all the motor fluids and the drivetrain oils.   The Anti freeze is often forgotten but it is important due to the rust inhibitors that break down over time and no longer provide protection and that starts to deteriorate the seals and gaskets.  The C4 Corvette is real easy to change the in tank fuel pump and completely remove all the old gas.  There are lots of you tube videos that can guide you.  The fuel injectors in the L98 motors are very sensitive to harsh fuel cleaners so be careful how much you mix in the fuel.  The injectors have coated wires inside and the fuel washes over these wires and disks and if too harsh a chemical will deteriorate the wire coating and the fuel injector will fail.  I learned this the hard way on my personal car.  Changing the injectors on a tuned port injected car is quite involved and will be a 2 day project.  

Once you get all the maintenance done these cars are very reliable and a blast to drive.   Save the wave and enjoy!!  

I had a slightly similar problem with my 94; the previous owner only drove the car about 500 miles a year.  My car was hard to start especially when the engine was near operating temp, but it seemed to run great otherwise.  I replaced several sensors to no avail.  I took it to a REAL mechanic, and he solved my issue in no time flat.  The problem was the fuel pump.  In retrospect, I think the pump may have been compromised due to the prevalence of the corn oil or whatever they toss in gasoline now-a days.  I am not saying that the fuel pump is the issue; it might be the carb.  

Bob

Try the idle control valve