Mr. Michael
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2016
I recently bought a 1987 GN that looked pretty good right off the trailer. Now I have been working on a few things for about a month (sorting). What really amazes me is the quality of work that has been applied to this car before it got to me. One thing after another. Its nothing major, but mucho annoying.
Years ago I had a few pals with Corvettes. I wanted to go to a few Vette shows and see what all the chatter was about so I bought a C3 Corvette that I liked the look of. Once I got semi immersed into the Corvette groups I explored the forums. What I found was a common nick name for mechanics that seem to work on those cars. It was "Bubba's" - and that referred to the basic wrench turner that ended up working on old American iron like a C3 Vette. Stories of duct tape repairs & hanger wire were abundant.
So that is what i see with this 'ol Buick. The guy who sold this car of mine had it for 7-8 years. Reportedly (I bought it from a dealer while it was on consignment) he had tried to keep up with things on it - but could not find anyone that could make the car "right" again. It was painfully obvious that he was dealing with the wrong techs.
The car had a oil leak on my 1st day. I removed the valve cover (aftermarket) and find the gasket so out of whack that it had to be a concern the day that Bubba did it.
Oh yes it LOOKS like they used gasket sealer to hold it in place... But then bolted that dude down while it slid way out of position. That causes all kinds of leaks. You figure Bubba would have checked the locater tab to see if it was still in place right? Not in this case I guess.
Then I looked at things like the seat mounts. Bubba had the seats out (for who knows why) and when they went back in did he reattach the plastic seat feet covers? Nah. Who needs 'em? Just bolt them steel feet t the carpet & let 'em be! Bubba felt the same way about the headliner trim cause when he reinstalled it he forgot to use two pieces.
Under hood? Well when he replaced the air filter and unbolted the MAF sensor he forgot where those pesky two bolts went that hold the MAF casing onto the filter housing. Thats okay right? Just let 'er float there.
The dealer told me that the car had a new turbo... I did not ask why (just wanted to get this car outta there) but I am thinking that since the wastegate puck was stuck they must have assumed it needed a turbo. Bubba adjusted the HD wastegate arm a bunch ~ but still could not get by that stuck puck. Not for lack of trying tho! Bolt on that new turbo Bubba! The customer is buying right?
Underbody. The previous owner must have pulled into a parking spot too far because Bubba had to use eleven zip ties (11) to hold the lower front apron in place once he got to it. Of course all you had to do was get the right hardware (it worked perfectly) but why do that when zip ties are so plentiful & cool to hear go ziiipppp?
How about headlight adjustment? Bubba was a mole hunter I guess cause all of the lights were pointed at the ground. About two feet in front of the bumper in fact. Why take the time to adjust those when they really look sorta just fine when they are off? You go Bubba.
There's more but I won't bore you.
Just let it be known that Bubba is out there, and he walks among us! Watch out for Bubba's.
Years ago I had a few pals with Corvettes. I wanted to go to a few Vette shows and see what all the chatter was about so I bought a C3 Corvette that I liked the look of. Once I got semi immersed into the Corvette groups I explored the forums. What I found was a common nick name for mechanics that seem to work on those cars. It was "Bubba's" - and that referred to the basic wrench turner that ended up working on old American iron like a C3 Vette. Stories of duct tape repairs & hanger wire were abundant.
So that is what i see with this 'ol Buick. The guy who sold this car of mine had it for 7-8 years. Reportedly (I bought it from a dealer while it was on consignment) he had tried to keep up with things on it - but could not find anyone that could make the car "right" again. It was painfully obvious that he was dealing with the wrong techs.
The car had a oil leak on my 1st day. I removed the valve cover (aftermarket) and find the gasket so out of whack that it had to be a concern the day that Bubba did it.
Oh yes it LOOKS like they used gasket sealer to hold it in place... But then bolted that dude down while it slid way out of position. That causes all kinds of leaks. You figure Bubba would have checked the locater tab to see if it was still in place right? Not in this case I guess.
Then I looked at things like the seat mounts. Bubba had the seats out (for who knows why) and when they went back in did he reattach the plastic seat feet covers? Nah. Who needs 'em? Just bolt them steel feet t the carpet & let 'em be! Bubba felt the same way about the headliner trim cause when he reinstalled it he forgot to use two pieces.
Under hood? Well when he replaced the air filter and unbolted the MAF sensor he forgot where those pesky two bolts went that hold the MAF casing onto the filter housing. Thats okay right? Just let 'er float there.
The dealer told me that the car had a new turbo... I did not ask why (just wanted to get this car outta there) but I am thinking that since the wastegate puck was stuck they must have assumed it needed a turbo. Bubba adjusted the HD wastegate arm a bunch ~ but still could not get by that stuck puck. Not for lack of trying tho! Bolt on that new turbo Bubba! The customer is buying right?
Underbody. The previous owner must have pulled into a parking spot too far because Bubba had to use eleven zip ties (11) to hold the lower front apron in place once he got to it. Of course all you had to do was get the right hardware (it worked perfectly) but why do that when zip ties are so plentiful & cool to hear go ziiipppp?
How about headlight adjustment? Bubba was a mole hunter I guess cause all of the lights were pointed at the ground. About two feet in front of the bumper in fact. Why take the time to adjust those when they really look sorta just fine when they are off? You go Bubba.
There's more but I won't bore you.
Just let it be known that Bubba is out there, and he walks among us! Watch out for Bubba's.
