1969 442 purchase... is it a W-31?

[Troser]

I posted this as a follow-up to the "Targa" top 442 post; apologies in advance for the double-up... I simply thought someone might be able to help me identify the car further...

Maybe a W-31?

Ok, in trying to research the car further, I find that the engine is a 350... casting 394448 2, the heads are number 5, the intake is a four-barrel cast-iron unit with the casting number of 398663, and the filler tube has the number 8 128121 on it. The inner fenders are black plastic, and it has a rear sway bar under a 12-bolt rear end... it also has the factory rear wing on it.

Could it be a W-31? All things so far seem to indicate it may be.... the air cleaner and front bumper are long gone... it also has a big four-row radiator, and the harmonic balancer is as big as the big lower pully, if not bigger.

I can't seem to get low enough into the car to view the stamped number on the block to see if it matches the VIN; that would help for sure.

Anyone? ~Tim

[Ranzan]

Tim if you can`t find an answer here you might also want to post on realoldspower.com there are a few guys on there with w-31`s they would know for sure

[2blu442]

Tim can you post some photos? I'm thinking the W31 was also a ram air car, and if that's the case there should be two large holes cut into the plastic inner fender wells up near the radiator core support. I used to have photos of the W31 harmonic balancer, what I remember is that it's stepped down, not just one big ring but like one larger diameter one attached to one that's a little smaller. I have three or four different balancers and a couple are very large, but the W31 is really rare and goes for a pile of money. It'd be really cool if that's what you had, but the odds are against it. I'd love to see some pictures of the car, and maybe one of us could help identify anything your unsure about. Also I'm thinking a regular 1969 442 should have a 400 engine, but the vin should also identify it as a 442. John

[Troser]

Originally Posted by 2blu442

Tim can you post some photos? I'm thinking the W31 was also a ram air car, and if that's the case there should be two large holes cut into the plastic inner fender wells up near the radiator core support. I used to have photos of the W31 harmonic balancer, what I remember is that it's stepped down, not just one big ring but like one larger diameter one attached to one that's a little smaller. I have three or four different balancers and a couple are very large, but the W31 is really rare and goes for a pile of money. It'd be really cool if that's what you had, but the odds are against it. I'd love to see some pictures of the car, and maybe one of us could help identify anything your unsure about. Also I'm thinking a regular 1969 442 should have a 400 engine, but the vin should also identify it as a 442. John

I can take some pictures, but not sure how to post them here? The VIN definately identifies it as a 442, and the engine is definately a '69 350 and has all the "right" casting numbers for the W-31 package... built at the right plant; the car also has a rear sway bar which is part of the W-31 package, as is the four-row radiator, and of course the spoiler. It has been repainted, but the repaint follows the W stripe pattern... it would be too cool if this turned out to be a genuine W-31 car.

[69ho aurora]

Originally Posted by Troser

I can take some pictures, but not sure how to post them here? The VIN definately identifies it as a 442, and the engine is definately a '69 350 and has all the "right" casting numbers for the W-31 package... built at the right plant; the car also has a rear sway bar which is part of the W-31 package, as is the four-row radiator, and of course the spoiler. It has been repainted, but the repaint follows the W stripe pattern... it would be too cool if this turned out to be a genuine W-31 car.

It can't be a "genuine" W-31 car as the W-31 was not a 442 option, it was a Cutlass/F85 option. All 69 442s had 400 cube engines except for the H/Os which had 455s. The 69 W-31 has no unique casting numbers. The block, heads, and intake are identical to a normal 69 350. The heads and blocks were hand selected for no core shift and then over-sized valves were installed and the blocks had matched bore sizes. The balancer is unique to the 68-70 W-31. The overall diameter is similar to a regular balancer, but the thickness makes it look very different. Follow this link to see a photo of a W-31 balancer ->>> http://www.69olds.com/authenticate.html

Al

[Oldsmaniac]

The rear spoiler was only used on the 69 H/O and not part of a W-31 package which as already said was not a 442 option. The 442 option was the W-30. A 442 would have a notched rear bumper for exhaust tips while the W-31 Cutlass would not.

[Jim's rare 80]

Hi. Check out the following link.

http://www.oldspower.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11921

According to it, your #5 heads are stock 68-69 heads. A w31 would have code 6. Hope this helps, Jim.