1970 DODGE CHALLENGER

Symptoms: Visible rust holes in driver/passenger floor pans, Cracks around rear leaf spring mounts, Spongy feel when jacking at torque boxes, Water intrusion into interior

Fix: Floor pans require cutting out rust and welding in replacement panels (8-16 hours depending on extent). Torque boxes often need reinforcement or full replacement. Rear frame rails frequently affected simultaneously. DIY with a welder is possible but challenging on unibody structures.

Estimated cost: $2,000-6,000

Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, Wandering steering or poor alignment retention, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Visible cracking in lower control arm pivot bushings

Fix: Lower control arm bushings are pressed in and require specialized tools or a shop press (3-5 hours both sides). Torsion bar adjusters often seize and need penetrating oil or replacement. Upper control arm bushings typically also shot at this point. Alignment mandatory after.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Symptoms: No-start condition with cranking, Dies when hot, restarts when cool, Intermittent stalling at idle, Spark completely absent at coil

Fix: Ballast resistor ($15 part) fails frequently but takes 15 minutes to replace. Electronic ignition module (if upgraded from points) fails with heat and requires module replacement (1 hour). Points systems need frequent adjustment. Carry spares of both for roadside fixes.

Estimated cost: $50-300

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Rattling from front of engine on cold start, Loss of power and poor idle quality, Difficulty starting when hot, Timing fluctuation visible with timing light

Fix: Timing chain and gear set replacement requires front accessory removal, water pump, and timing cover (6-8 hours on small-block, 8-10 on big-block). Often find worn cam gear teeth and stretched chain. Must degree camshaft on reassembly for proper performance. Use double-roller chain.

Estimated cost: $800-1,800

Symptoms: Delayed or harsh 2-3 upshift, No passing gear when flooring throttle, Slipping under load, Early upshifts under light throttle

Fix: Kickdown rod from carburetor to transmission often bent, binding, or misadjusted, causing shift points and line pressure issues (1 hour to adjust properly). Requires specific procedure with throttle and transmission linkage. Neglect causes clutch pack wear and eventual rebuild necessity.

Estimated cost: $100-200

Symptoms: Overheating in traffic or hot weather, Steam from overflow with 383/440/Hemi engines, Temperature spikes above 210°F, Heater blows cold during idle

Fix: Factory cooling often marginal for big-blocks, especially with A/C. Requires high-flow water pump, 26-inch radiator upgrade, and shroud (4-6 hours if fabricating mounts). Verify proper fan clutch operation. Hemi cars need aluminum radiators. Proper 50/50 coolant mix critical.

Estimated cost: $600-1,400

Symptoms: Fuel gauge reads empty or erratically, Rust flakes in fuel filter, Fuel starvation under hard acceleration, Visible rust perforation in tank

Fix: Steel fuel tanks rust from inside out after 50+ years. Sending unit gets clogged and reads incorrectly (2 hours to replace). Tank requires removal, professional cleaning/sealing or replacement (4-6 hours). Many opt for reproduction tanks with modern ethanol-resistant coatings.

Estimated cost: $400-1,000

Symptoms: Cracks in dash pad top surface, Loose or rattling instrument cluster, Broken mounting tabs behind dash, Gauges sitting cockeyed

Fix: Plastic dash frames become brittle and crack at screw bosses (3-4 hours to remove/repair/reinstall). Dash pad cracks are cosmetic but expensive to replace. Instrument voltage limiter also fails, causing erratic gauge readings. Reproduction parts available but fit varies.

Estimated cost: $300-900