I'm Bubba....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
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From: Clifton Park NY
I'm Bubba....
Hi All,
Installing the thermostat housing on the new Performer manifold, when suddenly, the dreaded "last turn of death". Stripped the %#$@ threads! :mad
So, I bought a thread repair insert. The right thing to do would be to pull the intake and have someone drill the hole with a press drill, but I with my vast experience with this kind of repair :rolleyes: decided to do it with the intake on the engine. Of course, you've guessed, the hole didn't turn out perpendicular to the surface. So.... Bubba simply enlarged the hole of the thermostat housing so the bolt would fit. :rolleyes: (Don't worry, it was a "Made in China" repro, and not the number matching tstat housing, which is still on the old intake, and the bubbaization is barely noticeable. I promise, first time I pull that intake for any reason, I'll have someone make a decent repair.)
How does that rank as a bubbaization? :D
Where do I turn in my membership card, now? :lol:
-Pedro
Installing the thermostat housing on the new Performer manifold, when suddenly, the dreaded "last turn of death". Stripped the %#$@ threads! :mad
So, I bought a thread repair insert. The right thing to do would be to pull the intake and have someone drill the hole with a press drill, but I with my vast experience with this kind of repair :rolleyes: decided to do it with the intake on the engine. Of course, you've guessed, the hole didn't turn out perpendicular to the surface. So.... Bubba simply enlarged the hole of the thermostat housing so the bolt would fit. :rolleyes: (Don't worry, it was a "Made in China" repro, and not the number matching tstat housing, which is still on the old intake, and the bubbaization is barely noticeable. I promise, first time I pull that intake for any reason, I'll have someone make a decent repair.)
How does that rank as a bubbaization? :D
Where do I turn in my membership card, now? :lol:
-Pedro
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
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From: North Carolina
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
whatever works...just as long as it is not permanant...that is my opinion...if you do something "bubba" with ever intention on fixing it when you can afford to($$$$ or time weise)...I say go for it...bubbas do things thinking they are permanent...
Daniel
Daniel
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: I'm Bubba.... (gtr1999)
Daniel: those are my thoughts, exactly. Whenever I pull the intake, I'll fix it right. Won't do it now because winter is coming and I want to drive the car. Good reason? Last year I started a "2-week" project and lost months and months of driving time. Can't afford more downtime now. I'm already too PO'd because I lost this weekend (fall peak), waiting for parts for my distributor. I ordered those parts on Monday, and specifically asked them to send them by UPS 2nd day, and haven't gotten them yet... :mad
Gary: do you mean the crossmember sombrero "fix"? That was a REAL bubbaization! :D But it was well planed and well executed, and last time I checked it was alright. I'll have to jack up the rear again one of these days to readjust the parking brake, and will check again. Everything else has been perfect, and the car is handling like new.
-Pedro
Gary: do you mean the crossmember sombrero "fix"? That was a REAL bubbaization! :D But it was well planed and well executed, and last time I checked it was alright. I'll have to jack up the rear again one of these days to readjust the parking brake, and will check again. Everything else has been perfect, and the car is handling like new.
-Pedro
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Wichita, KS
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
The details are too shameful to repeat, but I got cought by my buddy having a piece of wood jambed between the A/C compressor and the bracket. It was a 1 day, "got to drive the Corvette" thing. The missing bolt has now been replaced but I may never live long enough for my buddy to stop retelling the story.
I guess that we'll have to start a club and have meetings. Hi, my name's Bubba.
I guess that we'll have to start a club and have meetings. Hi, my name's Bubba.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
Been there, did the EXACT same thing.
We broke off a bolt in the T-Stat housing. Then we drilled it for an Easy-out.
Easy-out my azz, the thing broke of in the bolt !!. Then we tried to drill it all out. Did you know that the easy-out is strong enought to not be drilled, but weak enought to break ?? Yep, sure is.
So, I drilled next to what was left of the easy out and inserted an new set of threads with a Heli-coil kit.
Then we elongated the bolt holes in the T-Stat housing and used some RTV blue. Worked like a champ. We pulled the motor two weeks ago and it was working fine at that point.
If that makes you a Bubba, then I am one two !! -- Of course I knew that the motor was getting yanked in 3 months and would have done anything to keep it going until then. I even contemplated welding the T-stat housing back on !!!!
We broke off a bolt in the T-Stat housing. Then we drilled it for an Easy-out.
Easy-out my azz, the thing broke of in the bolt !!. Then we tried to drill it all out. Did you know that the easy-out is strong enought to not be drilled, but weak enought to break ?? Yep, sure is.
So, I drilled next to what was left of the easy out and inserted an new set of threads with a Heli-coil kit.
Then we elongated the bolt holes in the T-Stat housing and used some RTV blue. Worked like a champ. We pulled the motor two weeks ago and it was working fine at that point.
If that makes you a Bubba, then I am one two !! -- Of course I knew that the motor was getting yanked in 3 months and would have done anything to keep it going until then. I even contemplated welding the T-stat housing back on !!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: I'm Bubba.... (BSeery)
Yep, guys, I think what separates us from Bubba is that when we do this kind of thing we feel bad, uneasy, until we have the opportunity to do it right. At least that's the way I feel, specially about the crossmember sombrero case, which will haunt me until I do it right--which may take a while, since I'll have to learn how to weld first....
Steve: piece of wood, uh? What happened to the classic repair material such as duct tape and coat hanger? :lol:
Bryan: I had a very pleasant experience with a broken tap, which I believe is made of the same material these easy-offs are made of, if not harder. I had to literally destroy it using a tungsten carbide on a dremel tool. And all I wanted to do was clean a welded nut to avoid trouble... :mad
-Pedro
Steve: piece of wood, uh? What happened to the classic repair material such as duct tape and coat hanger? :lol:
Bryan: I had a very pleasant experience with a broken tap, which I believe is made of the same material these easy-offs are made of, if not harder. I had to literally destroy it using a tungsten carbide on a dremel tool. And all I wanted to do was clean a welded nut to avoid trouble... :mad
-Pedro
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
How does that rank as a bubbaization? :D
Where do I turn in my membership card, now? :lol:
-Pedro
Where do I turn in my membership card, now? :lol:
-Pedro
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: I'm Bubba.... (1970 Stingray)
Gary: the rear end is working great. No noises, no leaks... Isn't it great when something works so good that you even forget it exists? :D
Len: WoooHooo!!!! I barely became a member, and have already gotten an award! :cool: What do I need to do to get the duct tape trophy?
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 12:54 PM 10/14/2001]
Len: WoooHooo!!!! I barely became a member, and have already gotten an award! :cool: What do I need to do to get the duct tape trophy?
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 12:54 PM 10/14/2001]
Team Owner
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
What do I need to do to get the duct tape trophy?
-Pedro
-Pedro
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 135
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From: Cave Creek, Az, US
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
Not to worry! You are not alone. There's a little bit of bubba in all of us. I've got a piece of wood glued under the console holding the AC controls in place. Never see it unless you take the console apart. Works like a charm. That's just one thing I've done. Too many to count. :flag :cheers:
Team Owner
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
Bryan,
I used it in the interior, but to fix a duct. I don't think that qualifies... :lol:
-Pedro
I used it in the interior, but to fix a duct. I don't think that qualifies... :lol:
-Pedro
For shame !! :D :D
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: I'm Bubba.... (BSeery)
Almost my entire exhaust system is Bubba-ized. Permanent leak at the donut gasket, drivers' side, coat hanger used on the backside of the cat and the passenger side muffler. Also, the custom tips on the car are angled up, right beneath the plastic bumper and guess what, the paint is now fried. It will be fixed real soon. :bb :bb
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: I'm Bubba.... (paul79)
Paul,
Yea, I did. Shouldn't have any problem. Those bolts aren't supposed to get wet anyway, if the gasket is installed correctly and everything is done right.
-Pedro
Yea, I did. Shouldn't have any problem. Those bolts aren't supposed to get wet anyway, if the gasket is installed correctly and everything is done right.
-Pedro
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Re: I'm Bubba.... (Pedro'74)
Pedro,
I should have said "gasket" cement. I have been doing hardwood, tiling and the like in the house for two weeks and I am in non-Corvette mode. These things have to be done before winter sets in. Hardwood re-finishing is smellier and more time-consuming than a heater core or rear spring replacement. I have done almost 800 feet of quarter-round :eek: Hope things work out for you.
I should have said "gasket" cement. I have been doing hardwood, tiling and the like in the house for two weeks and I am in non-Corvette mode. These things have to be done before winter sets in. Hardwood re-finishing is smellier and more time-consuming than a heater core or rear spring replacement. I have done almost 800 feet of quarter-round :eek: Hope things work out for you.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: I'm Bubba.... (paul79)
Paul,
Thanks! Since I am in Corvette mode, your message was conveyed just fine, as I immediately translated "contact cement" as "Gangasinch", a.k.a. gasket cement. :D
Good luck with your project! Sounds like a LOT of fun....
-Pedro
Thanks! Since I am in Corvette mode, your message was conveyed just fine, as I immediately translated "contact cement" as "Gangasinch", a.k.a. gasket cement. :D
Good luck with your project! Sounds like a LOT of fun....
-Pedro