Quote:
Originally Posted by scott_442
...Regarding the engine, the pad that should have the numbers matching some part of the VIN is null/blank/empty/void....no numbers, which suggests a factory/dealer replacement?
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Perhaps that is a "Service Replacement" motor put there by the techs @ a dealer during the power train warranty period, but that sounds a bit like wishful thinking to me. Without some supporting evidence to show off, like something scribbled in that car's warranty book or a copy of a dealership work order listing the repair most would be real skeptical of your claim.
An even more likely scenario just might be that decking of the block was included by the rebuilder as part of his normal Engine Overhaul & Rebuild Service.
Find the block & head(s) casting date(s) since that is really all you have left to go by. Compare them to the embossed assembly date stamped in to the body tag. At least you will be able to determine which came first: the engine or the car.
It would also motivate me to seek out all the other key identifiable part #'s and the things that should be date coded too like the trans, rear axle, distributor, carb, alternator, glass panels, etc. I would want to know everything that was or was not exactly when where and what it should be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scott_442
...The plan is to turn the keys over to my son once he reaches driving age so that he'll have a classic to drive to H.S. ...I seem to have several other money losing projects and don't need another  |
From over here it sounds a lot like you do not already have enough money losing projects yet and are looking forward to creating yourself another, even bigger one. Turning the keys for that investment quality 442 Olds over to a high schooler could turn into your very own personal pot-hole in the road where bushels of your money could easily get sucked down into the depths of. ANY high performance car, especially a Classic American Muscle Car that can still perform anywhere close to, or even better than, the level it originally could is far more car than is needed to commute a student to school, Libraries, dates, or anywhere else he/she would need or want to get to.
Never mind loosing the money that you pour into the car, imagine loosing the money spent on any property damages and/or personal injurys, court fines, lawyers, doctors, hospitals, bail, towing, impound fees, etc.
Will you want to insure that car for full market replacement value, or have a company that specializes in collector cars (Grundy,Heacock, Haggerty, etc.) underwrite you an "agreed value" policy? Younger or even multiple drivers, if they are even within the realms of possibility with some underwriters, can typically double or triple the amount of the policy's premiums.
I recommend getting the kid a decommissioned patrol car from your nearest sheriff's department auction. Let him get acclimated to controlling a performance car in something with a maintenance history, is relatively inexpensive so as to be disposable once it becomes severely wrinkled.
