1971 PLYMOUTH FURY

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start that disappears when warm, rough idle, loss of power, hard starting, backfiring through carburetor

Fix: Timing chain and gear replacement requires front accessory removal, timing cover off, oil pan drop recommended for debris cleanup. 6-8 hours labor for V8s. Critical: replace cam gear, crank gear, chain, and tensioner together. 318/360 easier access than 383/440.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Symptoms: front end sits low, uneven side-to-side, clunking over bumps, wandering steering, visible rust on torsion bar hex ends or crossmember pockets

Fix: Torsion bars themselves rarely fail, but anchor points in K-member rust out. Requires torsion bar removal, crossmember inspection/repair, new adjuster bolts and bushings. If K-member is compromised, welding or replacement needed. 4-6 hours labor for bushings/adjusters, 12+ hours if welding required.

Estimated cost: $400-800 (bushings/adjusters), $1,500-2,500 (welded K-member repair)

Symptoms: fuel smell after shutting off, hard hot starts, erratic idle, black smoke, fuel leaking from carb base or bowls, stalling when warm

Fix: Ethanol fuel destroys original rubber components. Rebuild kit with ethanol-resistant parts required: needle/seat, accelerator pump, gaskets, float adjustment critical. 2-3 hours labor for experienced tech, double that for someone unfamiliar with points-era tuning. Carter BBD and Holley 2-barrel most common.

Estimated cost: $250-500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: brake pedal slowly sinks to floor when held at stop, spongy pedal feel, car pulls hard left or right under braking, brake fluid disappearing with no visible leaks

Fix: Single-reservoir master cylinders leak internally past cup seals. All four-wheel drum cars require complete wheel cylinder inspection—stuck pistons cause pull. Master cylinder replacement: 1.5-2 hours. All four wheel cylinders plus master and bleeding: 4-5 hours. Mandatory front-to-rear brake line inspection for rust-through.

Estimated cost: $300-500 (master only), $600-900 (complete system overhaul)

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: clunking over bumps, steering wander, uneven tire wear on inside edges, shimmy at highway speeds, visible play when prying on suspension

Fix: Upper ball joints wear, bushings crack from age. C-body front ends are heavy—ball joint failure is dangerous. Requires press work for bushings, ball joint replacement needs specialized tools or control arm swap. Alignment mandatory after. 5-7 hours labor both sides with ball joints and bushings.

Estimated cost: $700-1,100

Symptoms: fuel gauge reads empty when tank is full or vice versa, gauge bounces erratically, fuel smell from trunk area, visible rust perforation on tank exterior

Fix: Original 50-year-old tanks rust from inside out, sending units corrode. Tank drop requires exhaust removal on some models. 3-4 hours labor. New reproduction tanks available but quality varies—original tank restoration (boil-out and sealer) often better. Sending unit often available separately.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: every 12,000-15,000 mi

Symptoms: missing and hesitation, hard starting, loss of power at higher RPM, won't start when hot, rough idle that changes with throttle blip

Fix: Points-type ignition requires 12-15k service interval: points, condenser, cap, rotor, plug wires as needed. Distributor shaft bushings wear causing timing scatter—common on high-mileage units. Electronic ignition conversion (Mopar or Pertronix) eliminates issue. Points service: 1 hour. Distributor rebuild with bushings: 2-3 hours, or swap to later electronic unit: 1.5 hours.

Estimated cost: $80-150 (points service), $250-400 (electronic conversion), $300-500 (distributor rebuild)