Common mistakes that Bubba makes....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,599
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
From: Port Washington WI
Not by ear, by beer...
As a kid I remember my dad tuning the '47 CJ2A at the cabin by watching the beer in his bottle of High Life on the fender. When it shook the least everything was set right.
I also remember him repairing the head gasket with a piece of cork coaster and some Permatex. That only lasted 2 years.
I also remember him repairing the head gasket with a piece of cork coaster and some Permatex. That only lasted 2 years.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 226
Likes: 108
From: Crescent Beach, FL
Qualified mechanic (I assume) bubba did this before I bought my car:
1) Tuned up the car (good job bubba)
2) Looked at the iginition shielding that he previously removed, and said (in his best bubba hillbilly voice) : What the hell is this thang?
3) Discards it because it is extra stuff not needed and it would take an extra 10 minutes to put it back on.
I really do not know what happened to it but the owner had the car serviced including a tune up before I bought it so I assume this was the story. Now I either have to find an original one or pay for a reproduction at almost $300.00 clams.
1) Tuned up the car (good job bubba)
2) Looked at the iginition shielding that he previously removed, and said (in his best bubba hillbilly voice) : What the hell is this thang?
3) Discards it because it is extra stuff not needed and it would take an extra 10 minutes to put it back on.
I really do not know what happened to it but the owner had the car serviced including a tune up before I bought it so I assume this was the story. Now I either have to find an original one or pay for a reproduction at almost $300.00 clams.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
When I started out working in the dealership body shops back in the early 70's I started as their used car body repairman so I saw a lot of Bubba's work in what I pulled out of his body repairs . I had a whole collection of things that Bubba used to backup his body filler such as old shoes ,pop cans smashed flat , old license plates , paper plates , or the occasional paper cup to form around a round tail light housing . That same Bubba probably had kids and taught them his trade. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Just replaced my heater core, and there is a space where the two copper tubes go through the base of the firewall, which is SUPPOSED to be filled with this nice spongy gasket that is made just for this reason. It slips over both tubes and creates a nice seal at the base.
But bubba, figuring that he ALREADY had replaced the heater core and didn't want to take it back off to put said spongy gasket....shot "Great Stuff" up into that space....and let me tell you....it wasn't so 'great' trying to clean it out....
But bubba, figuring that he ALREADY had replaced the heater core and didn't want to take it back off to put said spongy gasket....shot "Great Stuff" up into that space....and let me tell you....it wasn't so 'great' trying to clean it out....
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 207
Likes: 31
From: Fishers Indiana
While working on my 74 today that i picked up this May - i discovered that both of my seats are only bolted down with one screw in the rear. Both bolts were up front and tight but in the back - each seat has 4 bolt holes but Bubba decided only 1 of the 4 needed bolted down.
After chills ran through me, i fixed that pronto today.
NOT happy with Bubba right now
After chills ran through me, i fixed that pronto today.
NOT happy with Bubba right now
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
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From: Texas City, TX Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
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From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
1) Runs new electrical accessories direct from the battery, starter or alternator without any sort of fuse or fusible link.
2) Rounds off stubborn or difficult-to-access bolt heads and then reinstalls them guaranteeing that the next poor sucker who removes them will spend a ridiculous amount of time, swear so much that the neighbors think you've gone mad and suffer at least one hangover.
3) In a '78+ does not follow the proper order of disassembly when working on the center console and gauge pack. The result being broken mounting tabs, misalignment and dash pad damage. Correct order: Carpeted side panels, parking brake cover, shifter cover (loosen and move to the rear), radio (at least some OEMs at least) and finally the gauge pack.
4) Believes they have no need to use a torque wrench.
2) Rounds off stubborn or difficult-to-access bolt heads and then reinstalls them guaranteeing that the next poor sucker who removes them will spend a ridiculous amount of time, swear so much that the neighbors think you've gone mad and suffer at least one hangover.
3) In a '78+ does not follow the proper order of disassembly when working on the center console and gauge pack. The result being broken mounting tabs, misalignment and dash pad damage. Correct order: Carpeted side panels, parking brake cover, shifter cover (loosen and move to the rear), radio (at least some OEMs at least) and finally the gauge pack.
4) Believes they have no need to use a torque wrench.