COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
▼
Ford
Fairlane
390ci V8
VS
VEHICLE B
▼
Ford
Fairlane
302ci V8
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
1972
1972
Engine
390ci V8
302ci V8
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Fuel
gas
gas
04
Cost of Ownership
5-Year Maintenance
$9,225
0.15 $/mi
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$9,069
0.15 $/mi
🏆
ADVANTAGEFord Fairlane — Saves you $156 over 5 years (2% 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.
Front Torque Box and Shock Tower Rust
— hrs$1,313 / 5yr
— hrs$1,313 / 5yr
Oil & filter change
0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr
Tire rotation
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
Front brake pads
1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
1.0 hrs$440 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$440 / 5yr
Differential fluid
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Failure (V8 engines)
— hrs$423 / 5yr
— hrs$423 / 5yr
Rear Leaf Spring Sag and Shackle Bushing Failure
— hrs$390 / 5yr
— hrs$390 / 5yr
Carburetor Tuning Issues (All engines)
— hrs$293 / 5yr
— hrs$293 / 5yr
Brake fluid flush
0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$270 / 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
Spark plugs
1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr
Distributor Advance Mechanism Seizure
— hrs$228 / 5yr
— hrs$228 / 5yr
Steering Box Wear and Column Coupling Failure
— hrs$227 / 5yr
— hrs$227 / 5yr
Coolant flush
1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
Intake manifold gasket
4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr
3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr
Water pump
2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr
2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr
Oil pan gasket
4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr
4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr
Fuel filter
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr
1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr
Alternator
1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
Engine air filter
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
Power steering flush
0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr
0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr
Starter motor
1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr
Thermostat
1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr
PCV valve
0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$65 / 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
Ford Fairlane
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant17.00 qt · Ethylene glycol green coolant 50/50
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SE or SF
power_steering2.50 qt · Ford ESW-M2C33-F
rear_diff5.00 qt · API GL-5
transmission_auto12.00 qt · Ford ESW-M2C33-F
washer2.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid
Ford Fairlane
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant15.00 qt · Ethylene glycol green coolant 50/50
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SE or SF
power_steering2.50 qt · Ford ESW-M2C33-F
rear_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5
transmission_auto11.00 qt · Ford ESW-M2C33-F
washer2.00 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.