1976 PONTIAC LEMANS

Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Overheating transmission and/or engine, Slipping shifts or delayed engagement, Strawberry milkshake appearance in radiator

Fix: Replace radiator with integrated cooler or install external cooler, flush transmission and cooling system multiple times, replace filter and fluid. If contamination sat for days, transmission rebuild often needed. 4-6 hours labor for cooler/flush, 12-18 hours if trans needs rebuild.

Estimated cost: $800-3,500

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Deep knocking or rumbling at idle, worse when warm, Low oil pressure (under 10 psi at hot idle), Metallic debris in oil filter, Sudden catastrophic failure if ignored

Fix: Full engine teardown, crank inspection (often needs turning or replacement), new bearings, align hone mains, reassemble. 18-25 hours labor. If crank is toast, you're looking at full rebuild with machine work. Pontiac V8s eat bearings when oil changes are skipped or wrong oil is used.

Estimated cost: $2,200-4,800

Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Excessive oil consumption (quart per 500-800 miles), Poor compression readings across multiple cylinders, Fouled spark plugs

Fix: Remove engine, disassemble, hone or bore cylinders, install new pistons and rings, deck heads, fresh gaskets throughout. 20-30 hours labor depending on how far you go. Many shops just quote a full rebuild at this point since you're in there anyway.

Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Slipping in 2nd or 3rd gear under load, Delayed or harsh 1-2 shift, No reverse or weak reverse engagement, Burnt transmission fluid smell

Fix: Remove transmission, full teardown, replace clutches, bands, seals, bushings, valve body cleanup or replacement. 10-14 hours labor. TH350 is cheaper and easier than TH400, but both are straightforward rebuilds.

Estimated cost: $1,400-2,600

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, Excessive driveline vibration at idle in gear, Visible movement of transmission tail when revving

Fix: Replace transmission mount and crossmember bushings. Simple job, 1-2 hours labor. Often overlooked until it causes U-joint wear or exhaust contact.

Estimated cost: $120-280

Symptoms: Sagging body relative to frame, Door alignment issues that suddenly develop, Visible rust perforation in frame rails behind front wheels, Crumbling rubber body mounts

Fix: Body mounts are 3-5 hours labor and cheap. Frame rot requires welding in patches or sections, sandblasting, and POR-15 treatment—10-30 hours depending on severity. Structural frame damage makes the car unsafe and potentially not worth fixing.

Estimated cost: $400-4,000

Symptoms: Hard starting, requires multiple cranking attempts, Rough idle, stalling at stops, Hesitation or stumble on acceleration, Fuel smell from carburetor overflow

Fix: Remove and rebuild carburetor (Rochester 2-bbl or Quadrajet), replace fuel filter, clean or replace fuel lines, flush tank if contaminated. 3-5 hours labor. Ethanol fuel accelerates varnish buildup in storage.

Estimated cost: $350-700