442 Question

[Ackattack]

I'm getting close to being finished with my 68 C-10 pickup, so of course I will need another project to tinker on. So I got to thinking, and my wife's uncle has an Old 442 (probably '70-'72) that has been sitting in his driveway since I've known her (over 10 years). I don't know that it has even moved in that time, I do know that it has some rust behind the front wheel, and if I remember right it has a 455.

Anyways, I was going to talk to her uncle about it to see if he'd consider selling to me.

I'm sure he wants to restore it (like most people who have old muscle cars that sit there for years on end), but the truth is he will probably never have the money to do that.

So anyways, before I get too excited, I'd like to do a little research. Where is a good place to get info on the 442s and their GM cousins.

[DocJr]

That's a good question lol

442.com...(don't tell them I said this, or anyone said this) but they're a bunch of purists, just watch out LOL you'll get your head bit off.

realoldspower.com (If she's gunna remain olds powered)

Those are two sources off the top of my head. Good ole fashioned google searches are good too.

[Ackattack]

yeah, the first forum I went to had a post about a NOS radiator hose with the right ink marking from GM....I was like uh...not for me.

I'll checkout the realoldspower site.

If it does have a 455 I may add a fuel injection set up to an aftermarket intake and save the stock manifold/carb just in case.

I don't even know if the project is a possibility at this point....good news is my wife seemed enthusiastic about it!

[DocJr]

hahaha yea, those guys are rediculous. I've left a few comments on that site telling them how I feel. An argument was rising about factory color....don't tell me what I should or shouldnt do...its my car! lol

Mondello, and **** Miller Racing are the premier Olds engine specialists, they'll hook ya up.

Suspension wise...everyone offers something, it's still an A-body.

Custom body parts and such...think again! wrong car for that, unless you're gonna "one-off" everything...which my '69 will be haha

[DocJr]

hahaha "Richard" Miller Racing.

[724tim]

I'm getting close to being finished with my 68 C-10 pickup, so of course I will need another project to tinker on. So I got to thinking, and my wife's uncle has an Old 442 (probably '70-'72) that has been sitting in his driveway since I've known her (over 10 years). I don't know that it has even moved in that time, I do know that it has some rust behind the front wheel, and if I remember right it has a 455.

Anyways, I was going to talk to her uncle about it to see if he'd consider selling to me.

I'm sure he wants to restore it (like most people who have old muscle cars that sit there for years on end), but the truth is he will probably never have the money to do that.

So anyways, before I get too excited, I'd like to do a little research. Where is a good place to get info on the 442s and their GM cousins.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/

[Scott Parkhurst]

www.btrperformance.com

Bill Trovato Racing. He's the guy who ran an Olds-powered Olds in the NMCA, and beat everyone...

Good dude and a pal of mine. Tell him I sent you.

[Gitter Dun]

I've always loved those cars, my uncle had a 1970. When I was 16 I almost bought a 1970 W-30, 455, 4 speed, 4.10 gears, minus intake and carb for $600 but my dad wouldn't let me(wonder why).

I also remember a '68 with the W-31 option in the neighborhood at that age. Bad ass cars.

Hope you get it.

[brans72]

my buddy collects them and is super knowledgeable. He has 5 442 and alot of parts cars. Brandon

[jocko124]

http://442.com/

The ultimate resource for the 442 enthusiast!!!

[jocko124]

www.btrperformance.com

Bill Trovato Racing. He's the guy who ran an Olds-powered Olds in the NMCA, and beat everyone...

Good dude and a pal of mine. Tell him I sent you.

I second that, he's the man. He built my engine and I highly recommend him.

[No one]

72 could have a 350 in it as that year the "442" became more of an appearance package than performance, really. ROP has some unbelievable information on there but it'll be hard sorting/reading through all the BS to find it. As I've seen so far though, when it comes to information on Oldsmobile engines that site is unparalleled.

[68cutlass]

Great info on ROP, just don't start a thread saying "I'm putting a LS/Chevy/whatever in my 442...". They will seriously flame you. The site is real OLDS power, obviously. I learned a ton there before I built my 455. Outside of engines, there's not as much info. Try teamchevelle.com for general A-body info.

Hope you get the car. Sounds like a cool project.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i agree olds should be olds powered buick should be buick chevy should be chevy etc,,,,,,,

[ArtosDracon]

As a 73 cutlass owner I can say, do you research ahead of time, there are a few parts that are the same between them and the buick and pontiac versions, fewer yet that are the same as the chevelle, but if you're willing the compromise a little, you can get set-up pretty well. There are essentially no rear brake kits for them, I would suggest swapping out an earlier chevelle 12-bolt to make your life a bit easier. Front and rear springs are a piece of cake on them, chevelle parts bolt right in. Engine wise, you're a bit cornered, but there are aftermarket heads and intakes for them, so you can make good power out of a 455, just make sure you address the oiling on them, it's sub-par. Body and interior parts are going to be the trickiest part, though not as bad if it is a 70-72 and not a 73-74 or 75-77.

Good Luck.

[CHILI442]

Mondello, and **** Miller Racing are the premier Olds engine specialists, they'll hook ya up.

Stay away from Mondello! It's not the same company it used to be. Joe Mondello sold the company to his nephew or something years ago. The guy is a joke and has been running the business and the Mondello name into the ground.

BTR performance and Rocket Racing (http://www.rocketracingperformance.com/) are your best bet. Bill Trovato has a book coming out later this year on building Olds engines. Watch Amazon for it.

[69fbodyproject]

Ive got a 1969 Olds Cutlass S thats had a ton of work done to it that we are looking to get rid of. All the parts to finish it are there, powertrain is done, chassis is done, almost all the body work is done. Over 40k is into it so far, and have had a few guys look at it and they figure around 10 to 15k to finish it properly. Looking for 17k out of it.