1969 DODGE DART

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when warm, Rough idle with popping through carburetor, Loss of power and sluggish acceleration, Timing mark appears advanced at idle but runs poorly

Fix: Replace timing chain, gears, and tensioner. Slant-six requires removing radiator and front accessories. Figure 4-6 hours labor for straightforward R&R, more if removing engine. Use double-roller chain kit, not OEM single-row.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Symptoms: Front end sitting low on one or both sides, Clunking from front suspension over bumps, Visible rust perforation at lower control arm pivot, Torsion bar hex socket wallowed out or cracked

Fix: The torsion bar anchor hex pockets in the lower control arms rust from inside out. Requires new lower control arms, torsion bars, and full front-end alignment. Count on 8-12 hours if seized fasteners require cutting. Safety critical—collapsed LCA can cause loss of control.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi

Symptoms: Excessive play at steering wheel (more than 2 inches), Wandering on highway requiring constant correction, Clunking when transitioning lock-to-lock, Adjustment screw won't take up slop anymore

Fix: Manual steering boxes wear the sector shaft and worm gear. Rebuild kits available but labor-intensive (6-8 hours with alignment). Most opt for remanufactured box swap at 3-4 hours. Requires pitman arm puller and alignment afterward.

Estimated cost: $450-900

Symptoms: Visible holes in driver/passenger floor pans, Trunk holds water after rain, Fuel tank straps rusted, tank sitting crooked, Carpet wet with no obvious leak source

Fix: These cars rust from the inside out—drain plugs clog and water sits. Floor pan replacement requires full interior removal, cutting out old metal, welding in patch panels or full replacement pans. Trunk floor includes drop-offs for spare tire. Professional welding job runs 20-40 hours depending on extent. Not a safety issue until subframe connectors or torque boxes are compromised.

Estimated cost: $2,500-6,000

Symptoms: Gas smell in garage after sitting, Flooding on startup, black smoke, Hard starting when hot, loading up with fuel, Fuel dripping from carb vent tubes

Fix: Carter BBD (slant-six) and AVS/Thermoquad (V8) carbs use brass floats and needle-seat assemblies that wear or collect varnish from old gas. Rebuild kit with new needle/seat and proper float adjustment takes 2-3 hours. Modern ethanol fuel accelerates wear. Clean fuel system and adjust float level carefully.

Estimated cost: $250-500

Symptoms: Brake pedal drops to floor after initial application, One front wheel locks prematurely, Grinding noise from front during braking, Visible broken spring when drum removed

Fix: Original return springs fatigue after decades. Broken spring allows shoes to drag or cock sideways, scoring drums. Replace all springs, hardware, and wheel cylinders while drums are off. Disc brake conversion increasingly common solution (4-6 hours for bolt-on kit, requires master cylinder upgrade).

Estimated cost: $300-1,200

Symptoms: Intermittent gauge operation, Headlights dim when using turn signals, Ammeter shows discharge despite good alternator, Melted or discolored connector pins at firewall

Fix: The firewall bulkhead connector carries high current through small terminals that corrode and create resistance. Causes voltage drop, heat, and intermittent failures. Fix requires disassembly, cleaning all terminals, dielectric grease, and sometimes terminal replacement or bypass wiring. 3-5 hours for thorough job.

Estimated cost: $200-600