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joe_padavano · 05-12-2007, 07:43 AM

Here's a good source for VIN decoding:

http://members.aol.com/drewinva/olds/vin/

ALL 1968 442s have a VIN that starts 344... If not, it isn't a real 442. If you're worried about a body data plate that doesn't match (starts out 336...), that's OK. The 1968 and most 1969 442s came from the factory with Cutlass data plates. This is well documented in the Fisher Body Manual for those years.

If you're looking for a 5 speed swap, Keisler is about the best:

http://www.keislerauto.com/

It won't be cheap.

There is one other "gotcha" with Oldsmobiles. If the engine originally came with an automatic, the crank likely won't be machined for the pilot bearing needed to run a manual trans. The options are to disassemble the engine and have the crank bored for the bearing or buy a conversion bearing from one of the Olds specialty houses. This conversion bearing fits in the crank flange recess that pilots the torque converter but unfortunately the hole still isn't deep enough for the manual trans input shaft. You'll need to either trim 1/2" to 3/4" from the trans input shaft or bore a clearance hole in the crank anyway.

05-12-2007, 07:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
joe_padavano Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,752	Here's a good source for VIN decoding: http://members.aol.com/drewinva/olds/vin/ ALL 1968 442s have a VIN that starts 344... If not, it isn't a real 442. If you're worried about a body data plate that doesn't match (starts out 336...), that's OK. The 1968 and most 1969 442s came from the factory with Cutlass data plates. This is well documented in the Fisher Body Manual for those years. If you're looking for a 5 speed swap, Keisler is about the best: http://www.keislerauto.com/ It won't be cheap. There is one other "gotcha" with Oldsmobiles. If the engine originally came with an automatic, the crank likely won't be machined for the pilot bearing needed to run a manual trans. The options are to disassemble the engine and have the crank bored for the bearing or buy a conversion bearing from one of the Olds specialty houses. This conversion bearing fits in the crank flange recess that pilots the torque converter but unfortunately the hole still isn't deep enough for the manual trans input shaft. You'll need to either trim 1/2" to 3/4" from the trans input shaft or bore a clearance hole in the crank anyway. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)