1968ragtop

I just picked up a 69' 442 hardtop Hoping some of you knowledgeable folks can help me with my build. I will have some questions!
Car has a 455 w th400 12 bolt chevy rear. Has most of the correct 442 parts, boxed control arms, rear sway bar, 442 ex. manifolds, 442 glove box, factory radio still in dash, buckets and console, 442 hood, SS1 rally wheels, disk brakes up front. My favourite option is the power antenna. Also had a H/0 spoiler on the back, looks like it originally had a vinyl top too. Original colour was Tahitian Turquoise with white stripes on the hood and tuxedo interior.

1968ragtop

Couple question, I was told the car had a "dealer installed" spoiler when new, it looks like the H/O spoiler, any chance this is an original GM spoiler? How would you tell? I was also wondering if Tahitian Turquoise is a rare colour or maybe a special order paint code?

1968ragtop

trying to add some pics

1968ragtop

Any one know if Tahitian turquoise is a fairly rare colour?

tru-blue 442

My 69 442 coupe was Tahitian turquoise with parchment interior from the factory.
Like yours, auto with buckets , mine has a/c. 3.23 posi with the 400 G block.

tru-blue 442

Looks like the rare option for yours may be LY coded SS-1 wheels for discs, score!

1968ragtop

I have documentation showing this car came from the factory with disk brakes and SS1 wheels, These are my favourite factory Olds wheel for sure, definitely a bonus, even have a SS1 rim for a spare

tru-blue 442

Most 69's were all drums. I think the box had to be checked for discs. Fairly rare.
I sold a set of 4 several years ago for $500 + shipping to give you an idea of their worth.
As far as the spoiler goes, I believe it was introduced in 69 for Olds but only for the Hurst.
Nice score. I will be following along. Can you post a pic of the build sheet? Would Love to see it.

1968ragtop

This is not an original build sheet. GM Canada kept info from back in the day. The previous owner got this info through GM Canada based on the serial number. I have covered up his personal info on the sheets.

1968ragtop

This is my 3rd 69 442 and all of mine have had disk brakes. I use to think it was standard equipment, but as it turns out I was just lucky!

1968ragtop

Haven't done much with the car yet, but I had a closer look at the heads, I thought they were a G head. Actually THEY ARE A Ga head. Looks like that is a W-30 head! Anyone know how rare Ga heads are??

tru-blue 442

Ga's are 72 455 heads. W-30 included for that year I believe.
I have the same ones on my 68 F block that I built for my 69.

1968ragtop

I did a little research on them, they are 72' W-30 and 442 4 speed cars according to 442.com. They are all big valve heads apparently so thats all good.

1968ragtop

I went to adjust the timing and the hei distributor is hitting the intake manifold. The intake is an offenhouser 360. Is it possible its an old intake designed to work with a points distributor but doesn't have enough clearance for the hei unit?

1968ragtop

Have been taking a closer look at the car, took it in for a mechanical inspection, front coils are tired, outer tie rod ends and sway bar end links are done, otherwise looks good! They put it on the alignment rack and said everything looked good, appears that it has never been in an accident. Also did some engine tuning and did a test drive, motor has a noticeable cam, big valve heads, offenhauser intake and unfortunately a big dish in the pistons (low compression) gears feel like 3.08 or 2.73 or so, despite all that this motor pulls pretty hard, quite surprised actually. I'll try post pics of the intake, distributor clearance problem and what looks like some porting on the intake.

1968ragtop

I found what looks like a list showing all factory options, under the seat back of passenger bucket seat, also a tag showing date of assembly as May 21/ 69 very cool!

1968ragtop

Here is the option sheet scanned hopefully it shows up better

1968ragtop

After a closer look the options list matches the documentation I already posted and lists what each code is

1968ragtop

I think this is called the point of no return! Transmission looks like it's never been out, the number on the id. plate is OG-69-18485 Is this a correct 69' 442 transmission?

1968ragtop

Got some motor id numbers
This is an Fa block
oil filler # is 9594453 which is off the original block according to my documentation.
Engine id. # 3GA1305859 looks like it is a 1971 motor, which is what the seller told me.
#'s on back 68 F3
crank is drilled for a 4 speed, but no provision for z-bar stud.
Ga heads

Did 71' motors come with an 'N' crank??
Thanks for any help with this!

Eddie Hansen

if the hole isn't drilled and tapped for the zBar I am pretty sure that block would be a 76 Block? or perhaps it was a marine or industrial (farm) block? I would think all blocks from 71 were drilled and tapped?

Troys Toy 70

Are you sure of the vin # you posted on the block?

It should by 31Mxxxxxx, where 3 is Oldsmobile division 1 is year, and M is Lansing assembly plant in this example. A two letter code prior to the year doesn't make any sense to me. There are several threads on this, if you google 455 identification, you should come up with them. (Sorry, I am no good with attaching links on my phone.)

It is not a marine block. They start with a L and it can look like a two year old stamped the rest of the numbers. They are not unified as you would see typically.

1968ragtop

I'll have another look at the motor id # I can faintly see the 3 then the next 2 digits are hard to see, the last 6 are stamped clearly

1968ragtop

After closer inspection with a magnifying glass heres the numbers 34M305859 Looks like its a 74' There is a small drill hole above the 4 and "CN" stamped over the 4 making it hard to read.Also pulled the pan to have a look. There's an "A" on #1 throw, also some corrosion on the throws and rods. In the last pic, one throw looks like it had someone take a grinder to it, maybe to take some rust off?

android 211

There was only one head in '72, the Ga head. Whether it had large valves or not depended on application. W30 and 4 speed 442s, yes. Other applications, no. I have one of those intakes. I was wondering if they're any good. They did sell a lot of them. Just freshen up that 455, paint it bronze and enjoy it. Wings could certainly be purchased through the dealer but were never installed at the factory on '69s except the HO.

1968ragtop

I was told the rear spoiler was installed at the dealer, if thats true I have no idea! Is there any way to tell if its a original GM spoiler? As for the motor, can that crank be cleaned up for rebuild? or is the rust a major problem? Thanks.

1968ragtop

android 211, I did drive the car twice before pulling the motor, the motor seemed to pull strong. Although after I realized why, the bumpers, glass and interior was out of the car so it was probably 3300 lbs add all that weight back and probably nothing too amazing. I can't tell you much more on the intake, give it a try I guess!