1960 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD SIXTY SPECIAL

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: deep knocking sound on cold start that may quiet when warm, metallic rapping under acceleration, low oil pressure at idle, metal particles in oil filter

Fix: Main bearings wear from decades of use and oil dilution from short trips. Requires engine-out R&R, crankshaft inspection/polishing, new bearings, and often rod bearings while you're in there. 25-35 hours labor for full disassembly, machine work, and reassembly. Many owners opt for full rebuild at this point since labor is already invested.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Symptoms: heavy clunk when shifting into drive or reverse, excessive vibration at idle in gear, visible transmission sag when inspected from below, driveline shudder on acceleration

Fix: Original rubber mounts turn to mush after 60+ years. Transmission must be partially dropped or supported to replace mount. 3-4 hours labor. Often discover transmission cooler lines are weeping at the same time, add 1-2 hours if replacing those.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi

Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust on startup, coolant loss with no external leaks, rough idle or misfire on adjacent cylinders, milky oil or oily coolant, overheating under load

Fix: These engines run hot and the old composite gaskets deteriorate. Both heads should be pulled, decked flat, and new gaskets installed with proper torque sequence. 18-22 hours labor. Head studs may strip in the block requiring Heli-Coil inserts, adding time and cost.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Symptoms: hard starting when cold, stumble or hesitation off idle, black smoke under acceleration, flooding after sitting, rough idle that won't tune out

Fix: Ethanol fuel and sitting periods leave varnish throughout the four-barrel carb and fuel pump. Rebuild or replace carburetor (4-6 hours), new fuel filter, flush fuel lines, possibly replace mechanical fuel pump. Cars that sat for years often need tank cleaned or replaced as well.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Symptoms: power steering fluid spots under front of car, groaning noise when turning at low speed, low fluid level requiring frequent top-ups, stiff steering when pump runs dry

Fix: Shaft seals dry out and leak. Pump can be rebuilt or replaced. 2-3 hours labor for R&R, plus rebuild time if going that route. Aftermarket replacement pumps available but original rebuilds hold up better.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 120,000+ mi

Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (quart every 500 miles or worse), blue smoke on deceleration, blowby visible from oil fill or PCV, low compression across multiple cylinders, loss of power on hills

Fix: Piston rings wear, cylinder walls glaze or score, and valve guides deteriorate. Full rebuild requires bore/hone, new pistons and rings, valve job, bearings, timing components, gaskets. Engine must come out. 40-50 hours total with machine shop work. Cores are getting scarce so expect to rebuild what you have rather than swap.

Estimated cost: $6,500-10,000

Symptoms: transmission fluid dripping near radiator or along frame rail, burnt transmission smell after highway driving, slipping shifts under load, low fluid level on dipstick

Fix: Steel lines rust from road salt and age, especially near fittings. Replace both lines from transmission to radiator-mounted cooler. 2-3 hours labor, flush and refill transmission fluid. Inspect radiator cooler tank for internal leaks while you're there.

Estimated cost: $350-600