Common Repairs For Classic Cars

Classic cars are one of the most American forms of art. They stir the soul and make our hearts thunder and we race down tracks and cruise them around the country. Buying and owning them is not without some challenges. These are common repairs for classic cars. If you live in Arizona and have need classic car repair Acclaim Car & Truck is your Scottsdale source for quality mechanical repairs.

Transmission

Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission you might need to replace some parts. Automatic transmissions have parts that wear out, especially if it is a muscle car that has been driven hard. Manual transmissions also have a clutch that usually needs to be replaced on classic cars. If your vehicle will start up and run you can try to shift it into gear, both in a forward and reverse gear. If there isn’t any movement in one or both forward or reverse, you have some work to do.

If the vehicle does shift into a gear but it takes too long, or you can feel that the transmission is slipping, you know there are some parts worn out. If you can smell a burnt smell, the transmission whines as you speed up, or you hear a clunking sound and you shift you are probably looking at a transmission replacement.

Engine

A lot of classic cars are put up in storage for years, waiting to repair. If your vehicle has been sitting in someone’s barn, garage, or in their yard for a couple decades the engine is a likely part needing replacement. Clearly the first place you want to look is for leaks and spots under the car. If there is a load of oil on the ground you might have a leak. You can also looking for antifreeze in the oil pan or if you find oil in the radiator you’ve got problems. These are indications of a potential cracked block. When the block is cracked the oil and antifreeze mix and ruin each other.

If you have a cracked block or a blown head gasket you should be factoring in a replacement engine in your rebuild. Classic car experts can do other tests like compression tests that check the seats and valves. You will also find out if you have valve lash, cam wear, and a test of the oil pressure at a idle will show if the engine is running at the manufacturer’s design range. Temperature distribution should also be more or less even in your engine, and classic car repair shops will help you do these tests. If your engine doesn’t have any leaks and is working properly you might actually only replace it if you want a larger more powerful engine.

Body

Classic car bodies are the place that most people make their first impression. It is seen before the hood is popped and you can show off your big block bad boy. Bondo is fine for sealing holes and patching some areas but it is an acquired skill. Getting it right and making it absolutely impossible to see once it is done right and painted is a demanding art. Getting the level and smoothness wrong, or not matching and perfectly applying the paint will result in lower resale values. Classic car buyers and lovers pay close attention to the body and are looking for areas to ding your asking price.

Upholstery

The interior of your vehicle is the stage for enjoying cruising your classic car.  The seats, carpet, door panels, and headliner are usually fabric areas that have collected decades of dirt, oil, and sand. If you want to get your classic car rebuild right, you should replace these areas to make the most of the interior appearance of your vehicle. You can choose upholstery companies that offer both retro, original looking interior repairs or you can go with something custom and modern for your vehicle. Either way the trick is making sure all of the fittings and wires go back where they need to be.