1967 BUICK SPECIAL

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Pronounced vibration at idle that smooths slightly at higher RPM, Main bearing knock especially when cold, Crankshaft failures if ignored long-term, Oil pressure drops below 10 psi at hot idle

Fix: The odd-fire 225 V6 inherently vibrates more than V8s, accelerating bearing wear. Full rebuild with new bearings, rings, and timing components typically requires 18-24 labor hours. Many owners opt for 350 V8 swaps instead since mounts are similar.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Delayed engagement into drive or reverse (3+ seconds), Slipping between 1st and 2nd gear under load, No movement in any gear (complete failure), Burnt transmission fluid smell and dark red/brown color

Fix: The ST300 two-speed behind the V6 and small V8s wasn't overbuilt. Clutch packs wear, seals harden with age. Full rebuild with updated friction material and band adjustments runs 12-16 hours. External cooler lines rust through and starve the trans—inspect thoroughly before rebuild.

Estimated cost: $1,800-2,900

Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting more than a week, Rough idle with occasional stalling when warm, Hesitation or flat spot on acceleration, Fuel leaking from carburetor base gasket

Fix: Cars that sat for years (most of them by now) have varnished fuel systems. Rochester 2GC/2GV carbs need full rebuild kits, floats checked, and jets cleaned. Tank often needs boiling out or replacement. Steel fuel lines rust internally. Figure 6-9 hours for complete fuel system rehab including tank drop.

Estimated cost: $650-1,400

Symptoms: Excessive engine movement visible when revving in park, Clunk when shifting between drive and reverse, Vibration transmitted to cabin at idle, Driveline shudder on acceleration

Fix: Rubber mounts don't survive 50+ years. All three mounts (two engine, one trans) turn to mush. Replacement is straightforward with an engine support bar—3-4 hours total. Critical to do before the engine torques enough to crack exhaust manifolds or stress other components.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Typical onset: 90,000+ mi

Symptoms: Oil puddle directly under bellhousing area after overnight parking, Oil coating the back of the engine block and transmission case, Clutch contamination on manual transmission cars (rare), Gradual oil consumption requiring a quart every 500-800 miles

Fix: Buick used rope-style rear main seals that eventually harden and leak. Requires transmission removal—8-12 hours depending on V6 or V8. Often done during transmission rebuilds to save re-doing the work. Two-piece seal installation requires proper alignment tool and patience.

Estimated cost: $850-1,600

Typical onset: 120,000+ mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup that clears after 30 seconds, Continuous blow-by visible from oil filler cap with engine running, Loss of compression across multiple cylinders (below 110 psi), Excessive oil consumption (quart per 300 miles or worse)

Fix: Survivors with original engines often need bore work and piston rings. Machine work adds cost—cylinders need honing or boring, crank may need turning. Budget 22-28 hours for complete rebuild with machine shop time. Many opt for remanufactured short blocks instead to save on machine work coordination.

Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500