1962 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD SIXTY SPECIAL

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup and acceleration, Burning through 1+ quart of oil every 500-800 miles, Fouled spark plugs, Loss of compression

Fix: Complete ring job requires removing heads and oil pan, honing cylinders, installing new rings and rod bearings. Expect 18-24 labor hours if cylinders are within spec. If bore is worn beyond .030 over, you're looking at a full rebuild with machine work.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from steel lines at radiator, Overheating transmission, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Slipping between gears

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they connect to the radiator. Replacement involves fabricating or sourcing NOS lines, flushing system, new transmission mount while you're under there. 4-6 hours labor plus fluid and filter service.

Estimated cost: $650-1,200

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Fuel smell in garage after sitting, Rough idle or stalling, Black smoke and poor fuel economy, Gas puddling in intake manifold

Fix: Float needle seats wear out, floats develop pinhole leaks from ethanol fuel. Full rebuild kit with modern ethanol-resistant components is mandatory. 3-4 hours for proper rebuild including setting float levels and idle mixture. Many shops won't touch it—find a carb specialist.

Estimated cost: $450-850

Typical onset: 70,000+ mi

Symptoms: Oil spots under rear of engine, Oil coating bellhousing and transmission, Gradual oil loss without visible external leaks

Fix: The rope-style rear main seal hardens with age. Requires transmission removal to access. Most techs will do clutch inspection, transmission mount, and rear engine mount at same time. 8-12 hours labor depending on exhaust configuration and whether you address other seepage points.

Estimated cost: $1,400-2,200

Symptoms: Soft or spongy brake pedal, Pedal slowly sinking to floor, Brake fluid leaking into booster or down firewall, Extended stopping distances

Fix: Single-reservoir master cylinders fail internally, and NOS units may have dried seals. Rebuild or quality replacement, complete system bleed, check all wheel cylinders while you're at it. 2-3 hours labor. Consider upgrading to dual-reservoir for safety.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Symptoms: Engine dies at idle or under load, Difficult starting, especially when hot, Fuel in crankcase oil (severe cases), Loss of power on hills

Fix: Mechanical fuel pumps on these 390s fail from ethanol degradation. When diaphragm ruptures, fuel can contaminate oil. Replace pump (1.5 hours), then mandatory oil and filter change if fuel contamination suspected. Use ethanol-resistant aftermarket pump.

Estimated cost: $280-450

Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise from engine bay, Exhaust smell in cabin, Visible cracks in cast iron manifolds, Broken or missing manifold bolts

Fix: Cast iron manifolds crack from heat cycles, and studs break off in heads from corrosion. Extracting broken studs from aluminum heads is delicate work. Figure 6-9 hours per side for manifold replacement with stud extraction and retapping. Headers are an alternative if originality isn't critical.

Estimated cost: $800-1,600