1973 AMC HORNET

Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle, Clunking when shifting into gear, Visible engine movement when revving, Transmission tail shaft hitting crossmember

Fix: Rubber mounts last 10-15 years in storage, less if driven. Transmission mount is most critical and fails first. Replacement requires supporting transmission, removing crossmember. 2-3 hours labor for trans mount, add 1 hour for all engine mounts.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Delayed engagement into drive or reverse, Slipping between 1st and 2nd gear, No upshift past 2nd, Burnt fluid smell, Metal particles in pan

Fix: The Chrysler-sourced TorqueFlite-derived 904/998 automatics are generally reliable, but neglected fluid changes kill clutch packs and bands. Front clutch and kickdown band are common failures. Full rebuild runs 12-16 hours, includes all clutches, bands, seals, filter, converter inspection.

Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Stalling in traffic or after short stops, Fuel smell in cabin or engine bay, Rough idle, hesitation, Fuel leaks at tank or lines

Fix: Ethanol fuel destroys original rubber hoses, fuel pump diaphragms, and carb gaskets. Tank often rusted internally. Steel fuel lines rust at frame contact points. Plan on replacing all rubber fuel line (1.5 hours), fuel pump (1 hour), filter, and carb rebuild kit (2-3 hours). Tank replacement if severely rusted adds 4 hours.

Estimated cost: $400-1,200

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking or tapping at idle that increases with RPM, Low oil pressure at hot idle, Metallic rattling on cold start, Oil light flickering

Fix: The 232 and 258 I6 engines run forever with oil changes, but neglected examples develop bearing wear. Requires complete teardown to inspect/replace main and rod bearings, plus plastigage clearance check. In-chassis bearing replacement runs 16-20 hours. Many opt for full rebuild or junkyard long-block swap instead (same labor).

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500

Typical onset: 60,000+ mi

Symptoms: Oil leaks from valve cover and rear main, Excessive oil consumption, Oil in air cleaner, Rough idle

Fix: The 1973 emissions-controlled engines rely on proper PCV function. Clogged PCV valve or hoses cause crankcase pressure buildup, blowing out gaskets. Simple fix: replace PCV valve ($8 part), clean or replace hoses (0.5 hours). Often overlooked, causing unnecessary gasket replacements.

Estimated cost: $50-120

Symptoms: Flooding and black smoke, Lean stumble on acceleration, High idle that won't adjust down, Fuel dripping from carb

Fix: The simple Carter YF or BBD carburetors are easy to rebuild but suffer from worn throttle shafts causing vacuum leaks, stuck float needles, and deteriorated accelerator pump. Full rebuild kit plus throttle shaft bushing install runs 2-3 hours for someone experienced with these units.

Estimated cost: $180-400

Typical onset: 80,000+ mi

Symptoms: Wandering steering, requires constant correction, Clunking over bumps, Uneven tire wear, Play in steering wheel

Fix: Ball joints, tie rod ends, and idler arm bushings wear out. Parts are cheap and available. Upper and lower ball joints (both sides) run 4-5 hours; tie rod ends add 1.5 hours; idler arm 1 hour. Alignment mandatory after any work (1 hour). Original steering box often develops slop — adjustment helps, rebuild rarely worth it.

Estimated cost: $600-1,100