The 1967 Dodge Dart is a robust A-body platform known for near-bulletproof slant-six reliability and readily available parts, but these 55+ year-old cars suffer predictable age-related failures in ignition systems, front suspensions, and cooling components rather than catastrophic mechanical issues.
Timing Chain Stretch and Wear (V8 engines)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi or after decades of sitting
Symptoms: rough idle and poor timing response, metallic rattling on cold start, difficulty setting ignition timing that 'walks' after adjustment, backfiring through carburetor
Fix: Replace timing chain, gears, and oil pump drive gear; expect 4-6 hours labor for 273/318 small-blocks, add 1-2 hours for 383 big-block due to tighter engine bay. Must drop oil pan on some setups. Strongly recommend replacing the nylon-toothed cam gear which deteriorates over time.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Upper Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints
Common · high severityTypical onset: Original components typically worn by now regardless of mileage
Symptoms: wandering steering and poor returnability, clunking over bumps, uneven tire wear on inside edges, steering wheel shimmy at 45-55 mph
Fix: Replace upper control arm bushings (press-in job requiring special tools or complete arm swap) and ball joints. Lower ball joints typically outlast uppers. Factor alignment afterward. 3-4 hours per side if doing both arms completely.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Points-Style Ignition System Degradation
Common · medium severitySymptoms: hard starting when hot, intermittent stalling or missing, loss of power under load, fuel smell from flooding due to weak spark
Fix: Original points, condenser, and mechanical advance mechanisms wear out. Most owners convert to electronic ignition (Mopar Performance or Pertronix kit) during distributor refresh. Include cap, rotor, plug wires. 2-3 hours for conversion and tuning.
Estimated cost: $250-500
Radiator Core Degradation and Cooling System Leaks
Common · medium severitySymptoms: overheating in traffic or hot weather, visible coolant seepage from radiator seams, rusty coolant, heater core leaks creating passenger-side floor wetness and windshield fog
Fix: Original brass radiators are often clogged or leaking after 50+ years. Recore or replace with reproduction. Heater cores frequently leak simultaneously. V8 cars with factory AC need larger radiators. 2-3 hours radiator R&R, add 4-5 hours if doing heater core (dash disassembly).
Estimated cost: $400-900 radiator alone, $800-1,400 with heater core
Slant-Six Exhaust Manifold Cracking (170/225 engines)
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: ticking or hissing sound from engine bay that changes with RPM, visible cracks near manifold outlets, exhaust smell in cabin with heat on
Fix: Cast iron manifolds crack from decades of heat cycles, especially near the #2 and #5 ports. Replacement requires manifold removal (2-3 hours), and originals are getting scarce. Aftermarket headers available but require exhaust system modifications.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Single-Reservoir Master Cylinder Failure
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: soft or spongy brake pedal, pedal slowly sinking to floor when held, complete brake failure if seal ruptures, fluid leaking at master cylinder mounting area
Fix: Original single-reservoir master cylinders offer no redundancy—total brake loss possible. Rebuilds last 3-5 years. Most shops strongly recommend dual-reservoir conversion for safety (bolt-in kits available). 2-3 hours including bench bleeding and system bleeding.
Estimated cost: $200-450
Fuel Tank Rust and Sender Failure
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: fuel gauge reading empty when tank has fuel, or stuck on full, debris clogging fuel filters repeatedly, rust particles in carburetor bowl, visible external rust on tank straps or tank bottom
Fix: Steel tanks rust from inside after decades, especially if stored with old fuel. Requires tank drop (1.5-2 hours), then either professional cleaning/sealing or replacement. Sending units fail from corrosion. While tank is out, replace all fuel lines, sender, and straps.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Absolutely buy one if the body is solid—mechanicals are straightforward and parts are plentiful, but prioritize rust-free examples over drivetrain configuration since any engine/transmission can be rebuilt or swapped affordably.
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.