New Member here today, and looking for some advice and help. Thanks in advance.

To start, I was given an 1966 Olds 442 from my uncle because I expressed some interest in that car. This car has a lot of history within my family and I want to get it back on the road again. Only have worked on Fords my whole life so this is a new adventure for me, (mostly Mustangs, have a 1965 Mustang GT that was also given to me by another uncle when I was 14yr old, what a blast to drive at 16!!). The Rear Window to Trunk Panel was replaced by him some years back with just a custom piece of sheet metal, not a factory type replacement panel. That has to be removed because it doesn't have the same window contour. Noticed the rear package tray is rusted out and also been cut to adapt the custom trunk panel. In need of the rear package tray and cannot find one. Just searching for it online turns up 1966-67 Chevelle package tray. They look identical but was told by OPGI they are not swappable. Can someone here shed some light on the direction I need to go here for replacement on the rear package tray and rear window to trunk panels.

Also the rear lower quarters will need replacing, if anyone has replaced those what are the best fitting one to use!

Again thanks in advance for all the help!

Carl

 

Welcome. The trunk-to-rear window panel is available for the Cutlass cars. The package shelf inside is not, and Chevelle parts are not the same. None of the Chinesium repro panels can be considered "best fitting". They all suck and require substantial work to get them to look right. Good used OEM sheetmetal from desert cars are the "best fitting" panels. Good luck.

 

Update to my original post. No luck in finding a donor car or "desert car" here on the east coast. I actually ending up using a 1966 Chevelle package tray for the repairs. This past Run to the Sun 2018 car show in Myrtle Beach SC, the Chevelle vendor was kind enough to let me get some measurements of the 66 Chevelle package tray and ending up purchasing it because everything matched up from the inside of car to window lip. The differences are below the deck filler panel and hinge area. My car was good from the trunk lip to about 4 inches in. With some modifications I was able to get it to fit fairly well (however still a work in progress). Also had to replace the package tray extensions and package tray floor supports (1966 Chevelle), along with replacing a section of metal behind the floor supports where it held the water, dirt and rust. Take a look and be kind as I am only an amateur at this kinda stuff.

Carl

 

looks like it will work.on these old cars sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do to make things work.

 

That's great info and nice work. Thanks for taking the time to follow up on this.

 

Just sharing some pics of sail panel and deck panel replacement. Owe all the credit to my best friend for the help and the use of his metal shrinker/stretcher. I think it turned out darn good compared to what it looked like before.

 

Very nice work.

 

Someone has some skills!! Nice Job!

 

Nice fab work.

 

About the only way to find nice desert sheet metal is in the desert, like my back yard in Vegas. I really want to clear out a 66 rear clip and a 67 sport coupe body&frame for example. Unfortunately, most of the people wanting such parts are in the east, which might as well be on another planet. They use a drum of bondo and $10k in body work instead of taking a vacation to Vegas

BTW you did nice work, and I hope the project turns out very well for you.

 

It's looking good. Thanks for the follow up. It's great to see another Oldsmobile getting saved to live another day.

 

I noticed something interesting in his 442 pictures...that fuel vapor line that goes up through the trunk shelf turns around and goes back. Is this a 442 item only? I ask because according to the 66 Olds Service Manual, the 442 used a different fuel tank then all other, non 442 cars. the only thing I cant think of that would be different with the fuel tanks is this vent line. 442 uses the fuel return line but that has nothing to do with the fuel tank as its part of the sending unit..thoughts? I ask because I have a 66 F85 that I believe is a 442, but not sure. Its a CA built car but has fuel return line

 

That's the vent. It's on my convertible so I assume it is all.

 

my 66ss chevelle has the vent in the same spot.

 

 

GT, page 8-1 of the service manual describes and pictures the vent and it is used on all except station wagon and vista cruiser. In fact, the tank itself is the same part number for all except SW and VC. On page 8-2, the paragraph which I believe you are referencing describes the fuel tank sending units, of which there are several. The manual is not talking about the tank but the sending unit in that paragraph.

 

I found in the SM a different PN for 442...bare tank, no sender