1974 CHEVROLET CAMARO

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Slipping between gears, especially 1-2 shift, Delayed engagement when shifting into drive or reverse, Burned transmission fluid smell and dark/metallic fluid, No movement in any gear after warm-up

Fix: Complete rebuild required in most cases, 8-12 hours labor. Includes new clutch packs, bands, seals, filter, and torque converter inspection. TH350 is easier and cheaper; TH400 parts run more. External cooler lines corrode and cause fluid loss, accelerating internal damage.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, floods easily when cold, Rough idle, stumbling on acceleration, Black smoke from tailpipe, poor fuel economy, Engine dies at stop signs after reaching operating temp

Fix: Quadrajet carbs have dried-out gaskets, warped throttle shafts, and clogged idle circuits from sitting. Full rebuild kit with proper float adjustment takes 3-5 hours for someone experienced. Fuel filters clog from tank rust. Many owners have converted to Edelbrock or Holley, but that's 6-8 hours with tuning.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Symptoms: Visible rust-through on front subframe rails near radiator support, Floor pan rot under carpet, especially driver's side, Rear leaf spring mounts cracking or separating from frame, Torque box failure where rear control arms mount

Fix: This is the killer on second-gen Camaros. Front subframe replacement requires full front suspension removal, 20-30 hours. Torque boxes need patch panels welded in, 8-12 hours. Floor pans are 10-15 hours each side. Many cars are too far gone to save economically. Always inspect before buying.

Estimated cost: $3,500-8,000

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup and deceleration, Excessive oil consumption, 1 quart per 500-800 miles, Loss of power, especially under load, Wet, carbon-fouled spark plugs

Fix: These low-compression smog motors wear rings faster than earlier high-performance engines. Cylinder walls glaze over. Proper fix is short block replacement or full rebuild with bore/hone, new pistons and rings. Engine R&R is 12-16 hours, machine work adds another $800-1,500. Many just run thicker oil and keep adding quarts.

Estimated cost: $2,800-5,500

Typical onset: 60,000+ mi

Symptoms: Oil drips from bellhousing area onto transmission, Large oil spot on garage floor after sitting overnight, Oil coating underside of engine and crossmember, Burning oil smell from exhaust heat

Fix: Two-piece rear main seals leak constantly. Rope-style seal replacement requires transmission removal, 6-8 hours labor. Oil pan gasket leaks are easier at 3-4 hours but require raising engine. Most owners live with it and keep oil topped off until major work requires engine out anyway.

Estimated cost: $450-1,200

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Rear end sits 2-3 inches lower than stock height, Clunking over bumps from broken leaves, Axle shifts side-to-side under acceleration, Tire wear on inside edges from camber shift

Fix: Multi-leaf springs break individual leaves or lose arch. Requires spring replacement, U-bolt inspection, and shock replacement while you're there. 3-5 hours labor for both sides. Budget for new bushings and shackles as they're always worn. Aftermarket springs are better than NOS GM.

Estimated cost: $600-1,100

Symptoms: Intermittent no-start, dash lights flicker, Alternator light stays on, battery drains overnight, Melted wiring at bulkhead connector, Gauges read erratically or not at all

Fix: External voltage regulator fails, alternator diodes short. Bulkhead connector corrodes and creates voltage drop, causing wires to overheat. Alternator rebuild or replacement is 1-2 hours. Bulkhead connector repair requires dashboard removal, 6-10 hours, and careful soldering. Many upgrade to later one-wire alternators.

Estimated cost: $350-1,400