The 1964 Plymouth Savoy is a robust B-body Mopar with bulletproof drivetrains, but 60+ years of age means dealing with rust, steering/suspension wear, and electrical gremlins from corroded connections and degraded wiring.
Timing Chain Stretch and Sprocket Wear (Slant Six)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting when warm, Erratic idle or missing at cruise, Metallic rattling from front of engine on cold start, Check timing and it keeps drifting retarded
Fix: Replace timing chain, both sprockets, and tensioner. On the 170/225 slant six, requires pulling radiator and timing cover. Figure 4-5 hours labor for experienced tech, more if you're removing accessories and fighting seized bolts. Kit includes chain, gears, gaskets, and often oil pump drive gear.
Estimated cost: $400-750
Manual Steering Box Wander and Play
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000+ mi or age-related wear
Symptoms: Excessive play at center — 2+ inches of wheel movement before response, Wandering on highway requiring constant correction, Clunking through the column when hitting bumps, Binding when turning lock-to-lock
Fix: Steering box rebuild or replacement. Adjustment often just delays the inevitable. Proper rebuild takes 3-4 hours including R&R, alignment of coupling, and sector shaft adjustment. NOS or rebuilt boxes are still available. Also inspect coupler rag joint for deterioration.
Estimated cost: $450-800
Torsion Bar Anchor Corrosion and Rear Spring Sag
Common · medium severitySymptoms: Front end sitting lower one side than other, Rear sagging with rear bumper 2-3 inches lower than spec, Clunking over bumps from front end, Bottoming out on compression with passengers in back
Fix: Front: inspect torsion bar anchors in rear crossmember for rust perforation — common in rust belt cars. Adjusters may be seized. Replacement bars available. Rear: leaf springs lose arch over decades. Spring replacement 2-3 hours per side. Torsion bar service 1-2 hours per side if anchors aren't rusted solid.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Pushbutton TorqueFlite Linkage and Cable Issues
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Pushbuttons don't engage properly or pop back out, Won't start in Park — neutral safety switch misadjusted, Transmission shifts late or not at all — cable out of adjustment, Park doesn't hold on incline
Fix: The pushbutton cable mechanism (through 1964) wears and corrodes. Cable replacement requires dash removal for access — 6-8 hours if you're careful with the pot metal buttons. Neutral safety switch adjustment is external and quick. Transmission may be fine; the cable linkage is the weak point. Cables are reproduction items now.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Generator-to-Alternator Conversion Wiring Hacks
Common · low severitySymptoms: Ammeter pegged or erratic, Alternator not charging despite being new, Melted wiring at bulkhead connector, Battery drains overnight, Dome light or accessories kill battery quickly
Fix: Original 1964s came with generators; most have been converted to alternators over the decades, often incorrectly. Voltage regulator needs to match (mechanical for generator, electronic for alternator). Ammeter bypass or conversion needed for higher-output alternators. Bulkhead connectors corrode and create resistance. Proper conversion takes 3-4 hours to do right with new terminals and correct regulator. Band-aid fixes cause fires.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Frame Rail and Torque Box Rust
Common · high severitySymptoms: Visible perforation in frame rails behind front wheels, Torque boxes (rear frame to quarter panel connection) crumbling, Floor pans rusted through under seats, Body flex or creaking over bumps, Rear leaf spring mounts pulling away from frame
Fix: Structural rust is the deal-breaker on these cars, especially in salt states. Torque box replacement requires welding and often new floor pan sections — 12-20 hours labor depending on severity. Frame rail patching another 8-12 hours per side. Parts availability is decent through Mopar restoration suppliers. This is make-or-break for safety and resale value.
Estimated cost: $2,500-6,000
Carter BBD Carburetor Flooding and Stumbling (I6 Models)
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Flooding when hot — fuel dripping from venturi, Stumble off idle or hesitation on acceleration, Black smoke and rich running, Hard hot starts with fuel smell, Idle hangs or surges
Fix: Carter BBD two-barrel on slant sixes develops worn throttle shafts, bad float needles, and failed accelerator pump diaphragms. Rebuild kits available but throttle shaft wear requires bushings or replacement body. Ethanol fuel accelerates diaphragm failure. Rebuild 2-3 hours including adjustment and tune. Edelbrock makes a direct bolt-on replacement that eliminates the issue.
Estimated cost: $200-450
Mechanically stout and parts-available, but rust is the enemy — buy the best body you can afford and the drivetrain is fixable.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.