1972 PONTIAC VENTURA

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Delayed or harsh 1-2 shift, especially when cold, Slipping under acceleration or no movement in Drive, Brown or burnt-smelling transmission fluid, Whining or grinding noise from bellhousing area

Fix: TH350 rebuild or replacement. Expect 8-12 hours labor for a proper rebuild with new clutches, bands, seals, and filter. If the case is cracked or severely worn, swap in a rebuilt unit. Includes fresh fluid and filter, new modulator valve recommended.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,400

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, flooding after shutdown, Black smoke and poor fuel economy below 10 mpg, Rough idle and hesitation off the line, Gas smell in the engine bay, wetness around carb base

Fix: Rochester Quadrajet rebuild kit plus float adjustment and choke calibration. These '72 smog-era carbs run rich from the factory and the needle-and-seat wears out. Plan 3-4 hours for a thorough rebuild, clean all passages, replace accelerator pump, set float height precisely. Some shops just replace with an Edelbrock for simplicity.

Estimated cost: $350-700

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Burning a quart of oil every 500-800 miles, Loss of compression, sluggish performance, Fouled spark plugs, especially on cylinders 1 and 8

Fix: Ring and valve seal job if cylinder walls are still good (12-16 hours labor), or full rebuild if cylinders are tapered or scored (25-35 hours). Includes new rings, bearings, gaskets, resurfacing heads. Budget for machine shop work—bore, hone, valve job. Many owners opt for a crate 350 swap instead.

Estimated cost: $2,500-5,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, especially from front end, Wandering or vague steering, excessive play, Uneven tire wear on inner or outer edges, Visible movement when prying on suspension with a bar

Fix: Replace all four ball joints (upper and lower, both sides) plus alignment. Uppers are riveted in, lowers are pressed. Figure 4-6 hours labor. Do NOT drive if there's significant play—ball joint separation causes loss of control. Always replace in pairs, never one side only.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Symptoms: Fuel gauge stuck on Empty or erratic readings, Gas smell under the car, visible wetness around tank, Rust perforation on tank bottom, especially if stored outside, Fuel starvation or sputtering when tank is less than half full

Fix: Drop the tank (2-3 hours), inspect for rust. If pinholes or severe corrosion, replace tank and sending unit together. Clean or replace fuel lines while you're under there. Aftermarket tanks run $200-300, OE-style sending units another $80-120. Add 1 hour for cleaning straps and hardware.

Estimated cost: $450-800

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Red transmission fluid puddles under the front of the car, Low fluid level, transmission slipping or overheating, Rust or green corrosion at steel line fittings on radiator, Lines rubbing on frame or crossmember, causing wear-through

Fix: Replace both steel cooler lines from transmission to radiator, includes fittings and rubber hoses. Old lines rust from the inside out. 2-3 hours labor to fabricate or install pre-bent replacements, flush cooler in radiator, refill and check for leaks. Add fresh ATF and filter while you're at it.

Estimated cost: $250-500

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil spots on driveway directly under bellhousing area, Wet or oily clutch/flywheel area (or flex plate on automatics), Oil saturating lower transmission pan or torque converter dust shield, Gradual oil level drop, no visible leaks from valve covers or oil pan

Fix: Pull transmission to access the rear main seal—8-10 hours labor minimum. Replace seal, inspect flywheel/flexplate for cracks, clean bellhousing, reseal oil pan and timing cover while you're in there. Two-piece rope seal on original 307/350 engines; upgrade to one-piece neoprene if available.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400