Ever have problems with your mopar?

[nakita7]

Do the phrases "ballast resistor" and "Chrysler starter" mean anything to you...

[Bullitt-]

Do the phrases "ballast resistor" and "Chrysler starter" mean anything to you...

Owned many Mopars and never had a starter problem, but have helped friends replace a few also a few chebys or other GMs. Two ballast resistors although I don't know when they stopped using. them, & one ECU. That's a dozen 63-82 owned by my immediate family, Many more modern Mopars.  Our biggest issue  has been auto transmissions, but that could have a lot to do with the drivers. 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Daily driven mine for almost two years now. I've had my share of charging gremlins and such, but it's getting there as far as turn-key goes. Just need to redo the fuel system because its starving itself at the track. But I'd leave cross country tonight without a concern. 

[duodec]

I drove mine (1971 Challenger) daily from 1981 till 1987 or so when a block rear core plug rusted out.  I bought the car with a failed transmission; once it was replaced and the car fully tuned up, it was very reliable.  I caused its various failings by adding things (halogen headlights, DC electronic ignition kit, replaced the carb, exhaust, etc, most of it not needed).  The '73 Dart I got to replace it (as a driver; I still have the Challenger) was problematic; carb and ignition problems frequently.

[JH27N0B]

My Challenger gets what a mechanic friend of mine calls "sits-itis".  Living here in the snowbelt I store the car every October and it doesn't come out of hibernation until April or sometimes May.  Then it gets driven to shows and cruises, but that usually doesn't add up to more than 400-800 miles per season. 
Mostly because of that the car is always developing leaks.  This year Ol' Drippy needed a new power steering pump, and I had a bunch of new seals put on the transmission last month.  My friend who worked on the tranny pointed out that I also had a bad valve cover leak.  I put replaced the valve cover gasket last week and drove to a cruise.  Noticed she was still marking her territory in the parking lot, not sure where its still leaking.
Last year it was a water pump.  A radiator hose and the master cylinder a year or two before.  It's always something.  But for the most part the car is fairly easy and fun to work on! And it has yet to leave me stranded anywhere.

[chevyconvert]

I do know how the old cars are, I have had plenty this is the only mopar I have kept, I sold the other before I had a chance to drive them. I do know that I have had plenty of novas and camaros, I had a 68 ss nova and I could let it set for a year without starting it and turn the key bang it was running the day I parked it!

  Hope my Challenger turns out to be half as reliable as my '67 supersport when I'm done with her.
 Rebuilt it in 1980...put about 18k on it since. Sits for months, get in and pump the gas pedal a few times and drive her like i stole her..every time.

[pettybluecuda]

What kind of supersport is it? 396 350?....

[MyMopar]

The poll won't be accurate.  IF you drive a clunker then you will always be working on it.  If you drive a car newly restored, then you might be working on it for a bit, but then it will be oil changes and such.

What is the overall condition of your car?  Does it have any bad/old wiring? how old is the driveline?  fuel tank in good condition? axle ever been rebuilt? brakes, when was the last time they were done?  steering components inspected? All these things can give you problems and more, but knowing what you're working with takes away any surprise.

I know my car wiring is way sub-par and plan on replacing it.  SO if I have an electrical problem, well it won't be a surprise to me.  My engine and trans. are relatively newly done and the components that go with them are working in peak condition and no visible signs of problems.

I think you can understand where I'm going.  It all depends on what you have to work with.

[pettybluecuda]

My car has the original wiring but it has all been gone thru, the eninge up intill a month ago was the numbers matching 340 now it has a later 72 340, nos carb, disturbutor,wires,air cleaner, new battery, control box, ballist, new tci tranny, brakes all new bushings, steering is all new, rebuilt power steering. the tank is the original rust free, I did pull it down thinking there was rust in it, no rust. The car is so clean this was the first time the tank was out and I losened the nuts for the tank and then took them out the rest of the way by hand. The car is very clean. It still has original paint on the floors and under the car.....I swear the thing just dont like me! LOL

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  look at it this way,once you replace all the mechanicals you shouldn't have many more problems,at least these cars are fairly easy to work on,have you worked on any of these newer front wheel drive cars lately.  on my 71 chally i'm restoring now i'm either rebuilding or putting in new during the rebuild so hopefully i won't have many problems down the road.  what kind of problems have you been having anyway with your car,someone hear i'm sure will give some suggestions.anyway my  --dave--

[Bullitt-]

P.B.C., would you care to enumerate some of your problems and elaborate on their resolutions. Have there been many different problems or recurring ones that are difficult to resolve? 

[js27]

It is hard to say what causes problems. I for one can jump in any one of my cars and drive cross country without any hesitation. ( That is if I could afford the gas) I do nothing but total restorations. Yes it is expensive but that is the only way I can enjoy it. Some people just spend there money on nice paint jobs and mags & tires but never address the two most important areas FUEL and Brakes. All my cars get complete and I mean complete new systems install before they go on the road. Remember  NO GAS NO GO---NO BRAKES NO STOP.
The electrical area is also a problem and should be brought up to the best possible standards.  Even after all this there are still no guarantees  you still won't have a problem. The more you fix before the less you fix later.
JS27

[torredcuda]

Any major repairs were the result of something not being done right the first time-usually the stuff I had someone else do-engine machine work,transmissions.In 8-9 years of driving and racing it since about a 90% resto it has never left me stranded.Minor problems have been a couple starters-either used ones or cheap rebiulds,a bad starter relay,a 20+ year old broken engine mount-happened launching at the track and I`ve gone thru a couiple different carbs mostly just from being old and worn or trying new combos.Most of the time it`s running great and I drive it whenever and wherever I can afford the >10 mpg.

[pettybluecuda]

One of the major problems im having now is, when I step into it it bogs out or just kills, I let off and bang it fires. I have tried 4 different termo quads and one holly. same problems, and I have tried tried both 340s same thing, I replaced all of the electrical parts, and gone thru the wiring. Im not sure what would be causing it. Like i said before I droped the tank out to see if there was any rust and no, I ran some compressed air thru the line anded a see thru filter and a metal fiter, both look very clean.

[360 'CUDA]

One of the major problems im having now is, when I step into it it bogs out or just kills, I let off and bang it fires. I have tried 4 different termo quads and one holly. same problems, and I have tried tried both 340s same thing, I replaced all of the electrical parts, and gone thru the wiring. Im not sure what would be causing it. Like i said before I droped the tank out to see if there was any rust and no, I ran some compressed air thru the line anded a see thru filter and a metal fiter, both look very clean.

Timing chain trouble? Like maybe it streched or jumped a tooth?   
distributer trouble ?