1976 AMC GREMLIN

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no external leaks, Overheating under load, Milky oil on dipstick or filler cap

Fix: Head gasket replacement requires cylinder head removal, milling for flatness (common with cast iron warping), new gasket set, and valve adjustment on reassembly. Expect 8-12 labor hours depending on stud condition and head reconditioning needs.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200

Symptoms: Excessive drivetrain clunk on acceleration or deceleration, Visible engine movement when revving in park, Vibration at idle that wasn't there before, Transmission shifter feels loose or notchy

Fix: Original rubber mounts are 48+ years old and crumble. Transmission mount is usually first to go, followed by front and rear engine mounts. Replace all three at once to avoid repeat labor. 2-4 hours total.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup and acceleration, Oil consumption exceeding 1 quart per 500 miles, Loss of compression and power, Fouled spark plugs

Fix: Requires complete engine disassembly, cylinder honing or boring, new piston rings or full piston set if bores are worn beyond spec. Often combined with main and rod bearing replacement. 20-30 labor hours for in-frame rebuild; many opt for short or long block swap instead.

Estimated cost: $2,500-5,000

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Deep knocking noise from lower engine block, especially when cold, Metal shavings in oil or on magnetic drain plug, Sudden drop in oil pressure, Engine seizes if ignored

Fix: Crankshaft must be removed, measured, and polished or turned undersize. New main and rod bearings installed to spec. If crank is damaged beyond .030 undersize, replacement or welding required. 18-25 hours for full bottom-end rebuild.

Estimated cost: $2,000-4,500

Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: Valve clatter that doesn't quiet after warm-up, Loss of power and poor fuel economy, Misfires or rough idle, Low compression on one or more cylinders

Fix: Head removal required for valve grinding, seat cutting, guide replacement if worn, and new valve stem seals. Often combined with head gasket replacement since head is already off. 10-14 hours including head R&R and resurfacing.

Estimated cost: $1,400-2,400

Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting, Rough idle and stumbling on acceleration, Fuel leaking from carburetor base or bowl, Black smoke indicating rich running

Fix: Carter BBD or Motorcraft 2100 carburetors gum up from ethanol fuel and sitting. Full rebuild kit with proper float adjustment usually solves it. Can also swap to Weber 32/36 for reliability. 2-4 hours for rebuild, less for swap.

Estimated cost: $250-500