71 442 four-speed?

luckyman15 · April 22nd, 2007, 09:15 PM

I just recently bought a 71 442, the guy i bought the car from said it may possibly be a 4 speed car and that there were only a small number of those produced in 71, but unfortunately the car doesnt have the original motor so the number on that engine isnt correct, and for more bad news the car is an automatic right now, but it's a really "mickey mouse" shifter etc. Also there is a hole that looks like it is for a clutch petal next to the brakes, so it got me thinking that maybe some genious tried to make this car a hot rod and screwed it up. This is my first olds so i'm looking for some help from a seasoned veteran. thanks a lot
Tom

2blu442 · April 22nd, 2007, 09:28 PM

Crawl underneath or look under the carpet to see if there's a shifter hole in the floorboard. If so, does it look factory or not? Should be a slight hump in the transmission tunnel with the shifter hole in it. John

vette442 · May 11th, 2007, 08:59 AM

If your car was a four speed car, the hump would look like this:

Even if it's removed, you'll have a large hole in the trans tunnel - versus a smaller quarter-sized one - for an automatic shfter cable. You'll probably be able to see evidence of seam sealer around the base of where it was too.
Terry

April 22nd, 2007, 09:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
luckyman15 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 17	71 442 four-speed? I just recently bought a 71 442, the guy i bought the car from said it may possibly be a 4 speed car and that there were only a small number of those produced in 71, but unfortunately the car doesnt have the original motor so the number on that engine isnt correct, and for more bad news the car is an automatic right now, but it's a really "mickey mouse" shifter etc. Also there is a hole that looks like it is for a clutch petal next to the brakes, so it got me thinking that maybe some genious tried to make this car a hot rod and screwed it up. This is my first olds so i'm looking for some help from a seasoned veteran. thanks a lot Tom

April 22nd, 2007, 09:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 2,209	Crawl underneath or look under the carpet to see if there's a shifter hole in the floorboard. If so, does it look factory or not? Should be a slight hump in the transmission tunnel with the shifter hole in it. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1967 Cutlass four door daily driver 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

May 11th, 2007, 08:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
vette442 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 57	If your car was a four speed car, the hump would look like this: Even if it's removed, you'll have a large hole in the trans tunnel - versus a smaller quarter-sized one - for an automatic shfter cable. You'll probably be able to see evidence of seam sealer around the base of where it was too. Terry __________________ '72 Supreme 455/M20 (1 of 77) '70 SX 455 Conv. '72 442 (455 OAI) '96 Vette LT4/6spd CE coupe '72 Chevy Custom Dlx LWB pickup highoctaneauto.com ('72 V Code Registry) sx455.com sevencolorsky.com

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