COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
▼
Chevrolet
Biscayne
235ci I6
VS
VEHICLE B
▼
Chevrolet
Biscayne
350ci V8
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
1964
1972
Engine
235ci I6
350ci V8
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Transmission
manual
manual
Fuel
gas
gas
04
Cost of Ownership
5-Year Maintenance
$13,427
0.22 $/mi
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$12,930
0.22 $/mi
🏆
ADVANTAGEChevrolet Biscayne — Saves you $497 over 5 years (4% less in routine maintenance labor)
Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.
05
Maintenance Breakdown
Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.
Engine Bottom-End Wear (Mains and Rod Bearings)
— hrs$3,250 / 5yr
— hrs
Low Compression from Worn Piston Rings and Cylinder Walls
— hrs
— hrs$2,925 / 5yr
Oil & filter change
0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr
Powerglide/3-Speed Automatic Transmission Failure
— hrs$1,625 / 5yr
— hrs
TH350/TH400 Transmission Rebuild Required
— hrs
— hrs$1,625 / 5yr
Crankshaft and Rod Bearing Failure
— hrs
— hrs$1,330 / 5yr
Tire rotation
0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
Front brake pads
1.5 hrs$610 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
Differential fluid
1.5 hrs$530 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
Cooling System Rot (Radiator and Block Core Plugs)
— hrs$525 / 5yr
— hrs
Steering Box Wear and Play
— hrs$520 / 5yr
— hrs
Brake fluid flush
0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr
0.7 hrs$240 / 5yr
12V battery
0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr
Wiper blades
0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr
0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr
Carburetor Varnish and Fuel Delivery Issues
— hrs$455 / 5yr
— hrs
Rear Main Seal Leakage
— hrs$438 / 5yr
— hrs
Intake manifold gasket
3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr
4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr
Coolant flush
1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
Spark plugs
0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr
Water pump
2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr
3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr
Carburetor Rebuild Needed (Rochester or Holley)
— hrs
— hrs$325 / 5yr
Oil pan gasket
3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr
4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr
Fuel filter
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
Transmission Mount and Crossmember Deterioration
— hrs$276 / 5yr
— hrs
Engine air filter
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
Alternator
1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr
1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr
Degraded Transmission and Engine Mounts
— hrs
— hrs$228 / 5yr
Failing Transmission Oil Cooler Lines and Cooler
— hrs
— hrs$210 / 5yr
Power steering flush
0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr
0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr
Starter motor
1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$70 / 5yr
PCV valve
0.4 hrs$80 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr
Thermostat
1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr
06
Active Recalls
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.
07
Fluid Capacities
Chevrolet Biscayne
brake0.75 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant14.00 qt · conventional silicate coolant
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SE or MS (period correct)
power_steering2.00 qt · GM Type A (pre-Dexron)
rear_diff3.50 qt · GL-5
transmission_manual3.00 qt · GL-4
washer1.00 qt · windshield washer solvent
Chevrolet Biscayne
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake0.75 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant16.00 qt · GM 1899-M or equivalent
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SE or SF
power_steering2.50 qt · GM Type A or Dexron
rear_diff3.50 qt · GL-5
transmission_manual3.50 qt · GL-4
washer1.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid
08
The Verdict
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Across cost of ownership and recall count, neither vehicle pulls decisively ahead. Pick on personal preference — drivetrain, transmission feel, brand loyalty, or the engine that puts a smile on your face.
Open the full dashboard for either truck
Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.