1967 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi or 40+ years age

Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start that quiets after warmup, Difficulty starting or rough idle due to retarded cam timing, Loss of power and backfiring through carburetor, Check timing and find it jumps around or won't stay set

Fix: Replace timing chain, gears, and ideally the cam thrust button while front accessories are off. True double-roller chains recommended over OEM-style. Requires removing harmonic balancer, timing cover, water pump. 4-6 hours labor for experienced tech, more if oil pan needs dropping for chain debris cleanup.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Symptoms: Front end sitting noticeably lower on one or both sides, Clunking from front suspension over bumps, Visible rust perforation at torsion bar mounting pocket in K-member, Torsion bar adjuster bolt bottomed out but still rides low

Fix: Rust-belt cars frequently show K-member rust at torsion bar anchors. Minor surface rust can be welded/plated, but severe corrosion requires K-member replacement or professional reinforcement welding. Torsion bars themselves rarely fail but can be seized in place. 6-10 hours for K-member swap including alignment.

Estimated cost: $800-2,000

Symptoms: Complete brake failure with single hydraulic leak anywhere in system, Pedal goes to floor with no warning, Particularly dangerous with aged brake lines and wheel cylinders

Fix: 1967 models came with single-circuit master cylinders—one leak means total brake loss. Strong recommendation to upgrade to 1968+ dual-circuit master cylinder with proportioning valve and add front disc brake conversion if budget allows. Master cylinder upgrade alone: 2-3 hours. Full disc conversion: 8-12 hours.

Estimated cost: $200-400 (MC only), $1,200-2,500 (full disc conversion)

Symptoms: Visible rust perforation in trunk floor, rear seat platform, and around rear wheel wells, Front floor pans rusted at transmission tunnel and toe boards, Body mounts deteriorated allowing body-to-frame contact and creaking, Door alignment issues from sagging body structure

Fix: B-body Mopars rust predictably at floor pans, trunk extensions, and lower quarters. Rockers and rear frame rails also vulnerable. Proper repair requires cutting out rust and welding in patch panels or full replacement pans. Body mounts are rubber sandwiched between frame and body—replacement requires supporting body. 12-40+ hours depending on severity.

Estimated cost: $1,500-6,000

Symptoms: Fuel gauge reads empty, full, or erratically regardless of actual level, Fuel smell from trunk or rear of car, Visible external rust on tank straps or tank itself, Fuel starvation or debris in fuel filter from internal tank rust

Fix: Steel fuel tanks rust from inside-out if car sat for years or had water contamination. Sending units fail from corrosion or float arm issues. Drop tank (2 hours), have it professionally cleaned/sealed or replace with reproduction ($200-400 for tank). New sending unit adds $100-150. Total job 3-5 hours.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Typical onset: Every 10,000-15,000 mi for points

Symptoms: Rough idle, hesitation, or misfiring, Hard starting when engine is hot, Loss of power under load, Points found burned, pitted, or improperly gapped

Fix: Original points-type ignition requires periodic maintenance and eventual distributor bushing/shaft wear causes timing instability. Points need replacement every 10-15k miles. Worn distributor shaft bushings create play affecting timing accuracy. Rebuild kit with bushings: 3-4 hours. Modern electronic ignition conversion (Pertronix or similar) eliminates points maintenance: 1-2 hours to install.

Estimated cost: $150-300 (electronic conversion recommended)