1968 DODGE CORONET

Typical onset: 80,000+ mi or 40+ years sitting

Symptoms: Rough idle and loss of power as cam timing retards, Metallic rattling on cold startup from loose chain slap, Difficulty starting when hot due to timing drift, Backfiring through carburetor under acceleration

Fix: Replace timing chain, gears, and tensioner as a set. Requires front accessories removal, harmonic balancer puller, timing cover gasket work. Figure 4-6 hours for straightforward job on 318/383, add time for A/C or power steering complications. Hemi jobs run 8-10 hours due to complexity.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Symptoms: Front end sits noticeably lower than original ride height, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Handling feels loose and floaty over bumps, Visible surface rust or pitting on torsion bars themselves

Fix: Torsion bars rust from road salt and lose tension over decades. Replacement requires unloading bars with adjusters fully backed off, removing lower control arm bolts, sliding bars out rearward. Critical to mark orientation and count adjuster turns before removal. 3-5 hours per side plus alignment.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Symptoms: Soft or spongy brake pedal that pumps up slightly, Brake fluid leaks at wheel cylinders leaving wet spots inside drums, Pedal slowly sinks to floor when held at stops, Visible rust perforation on steel brake lines along frame rails

Fix: Single-circuit master cylinders fail internally, drum wheel cylinders seize or leak, and steel lines rust through. Budget for complete system overhaul on any barn find: master cylinder, all four wheel cylinders, flex hoses, and pre-bent line kit. Add power booster rebuild if equipped. 8-12 hours for full job.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200

Symptoms: Hard starting when cold, requires excessive pumping, Hesitation or stumble off idle when accelerating, Engine stalling at stop signs after warm-up, Black smoke and raw fuel smell from running too rich

Fix: Carter AFB and Holley 2bbl carbs gum up after sitting. Throttle shafts wear oval causing vacuum leaks. Professional rebuild includes ultrasonic cleaning, new gaskets, accelerator pump, needle/seat, and bushings for shafts if needed. 2-4 hours plus bench time.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Symptoms: Visible holes or soft spots in driver/passenger floor pans, Trunk floor rust where spare tire sits, holds water, Rocker panels crumbling or separating from body, Rear frame rail corrosion near spring mounts visible underneath

Fix: Rust belt and coastal cars rot from inside out. Floor pan replacement requires interior removal, cutting out old metal, welding in patches or complete pans. Trunk floor easier to access. Structural frame rail work needs professional assessment. DIY patch jobs: 12-20 hours. Professional rotisserie restoration starts at 40+ hours bodywork.

Estimated cost: $2,000-8,000

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi

Symptoms: Shifter feels vague, doesn't line up with detents correctly, Transmission in different gear than indicator shows, Won't start in Park, must jiggle shifter to find neutral safety switch, Linkage rattles or clunks when moving shifter

Fix: Plastic bushings at column and transmission end wear out. Linkage rods bend from ham-fisted shifting over decades. Requires working under dash and beneath car to replace bushings and adjust linkage properly. Neutral safety switch adjustment critical. 2-3 hours.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Symptoms: Ammeter shows constant discharge or pegged charge, Battery repeatedly goes dead overnight, Headlights dim significantly at idle, brighten with RPM, Burning smell from alternator or melted wiring at bulkhead connector

Fix: Mechanical voltage regulators fail, alternators lose diodes, and bulkhead connectors corrode causing voltage drop. Test alternator output (should see 13.8-14.2V at battery). Replace regulator first ($30 part, 20 minutes). Alternator rebuild runs 1-2 hours. Clean all battery cable terminals and bulkhead connector pins.

Estimated cost: $150-500