sikamonster

I have an opportunity to buy a '77 442 matching numbers 350 with 89K. I once had a '73 Delta 88 2dr with a Rocket 350 but while researching I see in 1977 the 350 casting of the block and heads were re-tooled to lesser a standard. I'd like your opinions, experience, etc if any with this engine. I do plan on keeping it all original if that helps.

Oldsmaniac

The 77 Cutlass with 442 option had a choice of engines, the 260, 350 and 403. Most were 350's. I have heard nothing bad about the 77 Olds 350 smogger engine to be of concern. If you like the car get it.

350jwolfe

Are you buying the black one on Craigs?

sikamonster

Don't know if it's the same one but here's the link.

http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/4520023144.html

s i 442

I wouldn't worry about what NADA says its worth verses what you pay for it just to make it sound like a good deal.
But as far as the engine goes, for what you want the car for and probably 200 horse power more wouldn't hurt that engine.

350jwolfe

That car isin great condition. He started somewhere around 12,000 so he did come down. I think 7500 is a solid deal on that car. Now if it had T tops and a 403 it might be worth more than 12,000.

sikamonster

350jwolfe, How much do you think it's worth with non-working A/C (compressor not running), paint bubbling around one of the doors and a repaired dash, I don't know how big, done with Black colored Epoxy. The car has been parked outside under a car port since he bought it for the last year. The car originally came out of Tennessee and he is the 3rd titled owner.

Oldsmaniac

I think if it had T tops it would be resting in a junkyard.... man those things leaked bad and rattled like hell. My brother had a 77 with the T tops.

350jwolfe

I still think it is worth 7,000 in this market and if you really have to have it make a higher offer. I have three of these cars and not one of mine are in that great original condition like that one. Every car usually has some things wrong with them. The a/c is a concern could cost 1,000 to fix. The dash is a big concern because you can't find them and very hard to switch. One more red flag is sounds like he bought the car a year ago and he already wants to sell it. Be very sure you ask for under carriage pictures to check for any rust and dig for the real reason why he is selling. It's a beautiful car.

sikamonster

The dash was my biggest concern also. He told me his wife lost her job and it's has to go. Also I'm 99% sure the pictures are older since Murrell's Inlet SC is flat land also the tag doesn't look like to be South Carolina. I think I'll still go look at it though, it's only 100 miles from where I'm at in SC. Murrells's Inlet is real close to the water, being stored outside I hope the sea air hasn't worked it's magic.

allen_442

So did you go look at the car? That car looks beautiful, I think you would be hard pressed to find another one in that condition.

sikamonster

I passed on this one, the photos were about a year old from the previous owner. I couldn't get recent ones. I didn't go see it but our conversation started with the car has not bee garaged and kept in a carport since he purchased it, open to the elements including the salt air. As we kept talking more things were being revealed. I got that gut feeling on it, so I did and my gut has a good track record over the past 30 years.

350jwolfe

You know I respect your decision. We get really excited about a car when we first see it pop up on the net and if we run out and buy quick we always regret it. We should always give it a few days and take a deep breath and then ask a ton of questions then if we feel the same about it as we did on day one hey we might grab it otherwise it's a no.

Hurst/Olds 73/74

As a side note, I love the color combo on that car. It looks like someone had their heart set on getting a black '77 H/O, but had to settle for ordering a 442.