1978 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Rattling from front of engine on cold start that quiets after oil pressure builds, Erratic idle or stumbling as timing jumps teeth, Check engine light codes related to timing (if equipped), Hard starting or backfiring through carburetor

Fix: Replace timing chain, gears, and tensioner. Requires front cover removal, oil pan drop recommended for debris cleanup. 6-8 hours labor for typical shop. Always replace cam and crank sprockets with chain, never just the chain alone.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Symptoms: Hesitation or bog on acceleration, Black smoke from tailpipe indicating rich condition, Stalling when coming to a stop, Hard starting when hot, Poor fuel economy even by 1978 standards

Fix: ThermoQuad phenolic main body warps and cracks over time, causing vacuum leaks and fuel seepage. Rebuild kits help temporarily but many techs swap to Edelbrock or Holley replacements. Rebuild: 3-4 hours. Replacement: 2-3 hours plus tuning.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Symptoms: Surging at steady cruise speeds, Poor fuel economy and lack of power, Intermittent stalling or no-start conditions, Timing advancing or retarding erratically

Fix: Chrysler's Lean Burn electronic ignition used fragile computer modules and pickup sensors. Most techs now convert to standard electronic ignition (bypass Lean Burn). Diagnostic time: 1-2 hours. Conversion parts are cheap, labor is 2-3 hours including re-timing and tuning.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Shudder or vibration at highway speeds around 45-55 mph, Transmission slipping on acceleration, Delayed engagement into gear, Overheating transmission fluid

Fix: Torque converter lockup clutch wears or valve body passages clog. Requires transmission removal and rebuild or converter replacement. Some shops bypass lockup function if customer accepts slight MPG hit. Rebuild: 12-16 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Sagging front end, headlights pointing upward, Clunking over bumps from worn upper control arm bushings, Wandering steering or poor return to center, Uneven tire wear on inside edges

Fix: Upper and lower control arm bushings harden, ball joints wear, torsion bar adjusters seize. Full front rebuild includes all bushings, ball joints, alignment. Labor: 8-10 hours. Torsion bar adjustment alone: 1 hour but rarely solves root cause.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Symptoms: Rust perforation in rear wheelwells and lower quarter panels, Floor pan rust-through especially under rear seat, Frame rail surface rust progressing to structural weakness, Tailgate and liftgate hinge mounting points corroded

Fix: Unibody construction ahead of rear axle makes rust structural concern. Frame rails under body can rot from inside out. Proper repair requires cutting and welding new metal, not Bondo. Minor rust: 10-15 hours. Major structural: 40+ hours.

Estimated cost: $1,500-6,000+

Symptoms: Stalling after 10-15 minutes of driving, Fuel starvation under load or climbing hills, Weak fuel pump pressure (should be 5-6 psi), Visible debris in fuel filter

Fix: Old gas tanks accumulate rust and sediment. Mechanical fuel pumps wear out. Typical fix: drop tank, clean or replace, new pump, new fuel lines if rubber is cracked. Tank drop and clean: 4-5 hours. New tank if needed adds $250-400 parts.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200