Looking at a couple of 442's for sale. Looked at one today and could not find the engine pad stamp....understand it is on the driver's side below the head....but coudn't see it. Any one have a couple clues or tricks to actually find and read it. I thought you could see it, possibly hidden underneath or behind the power steering bracket, but I sure couldn't.

 

I've used a mirror and a flashlight to read the VIN derivative with success. If the car has power steering, a PS bracket goes right across the stamp pad where the VIN derivative is located so that's where the mirror and a flashlight come in handy. If the pad is covered with grime, oily dirt, and so forth, however, you won't be able to see it - the pad will have to first be cleaned.

It also helps to know what you are looking for. For instance, my '68 442 was built at the Lansing plant so I know the first three characters of the VIN derivative should be "38M", and that the last six digits of the VIN derivative will be the last 6 digits of my VIN, that is, if my engine is original (it is).

And, finally, the VIN derivative was stamped on Olds engine blocks starting in 1968. If you are looking at an earlier Olds, you won't find a VIN derivative because they didn't put one there!

Randy C.

 

Will this help? Courtesy of my friend John MacNeil

 

That really is hard to find/read....I'm used to my mid year corvettes, when compared to the 442, the covettes' pretty much jump right out at you.

 

Did this last weekend. Clean with a cloth, might need some 200 grit sandpaper to get rust off. Use a piece of oil based modelling clay. get it good and soft and press it onto the pad. carefully remove it and you should hare a reverse impression of the number. Mine has A/C so the alternator is blocking it as well.

 

Is it in the same location as the 350 pad pic that was posted?

 

Yes

 

I'd be really careful about using ANY kind of sandpaper on that stamping pad. The numbers are only punched in lightly in some cases. Spray with degreaser, let it soak, and use fine steel wool. It won't hurt the stampings. Like others say though, you need a mirror to read it unless you have your inner fender liners out.

 

I've used solvent on an old sock then tried to wash it with that. I like the idea of modeling clay, if you get it clean enough that sounds easier than the mirror and strong flashlight method! John

 

If there is still a little crud in the stamped numbers, some of it comes off with the clay making them easier to read... (220 grit took about 4 passes with light pressure.. no damage to the numbers on mine)

 

My understanding the 70 and 71 442 VIN starts with 344........is it a certainty that one starting with only one four.....34...is not a factory built 442?

 

To be more specific ...on a 70 or 71.....would 342 rather than 344 on either the cowl tag or dashboard indicate a cutlass rather than 442?

 

For a '70 or '71 442, the VIN would start with 344.... . For a '70 or '71 F85, the VIN would start with 331 (L6) or 332 (V8). For a Cutlass, the VIN would start with 335... (L6) or 336... (Cutlass and Cutlass S V8). For a Cutlass Supreme, the VIN would start with 342... .

The VIN derivative, stamped on the engine block and the transmission, would start with 30.... (1970 model 442, Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass S or Cutlass) or 31... (1971 model). The VIN derivative includes the GM division (3 = Oldsmobile) and the model year (0 = 1970, 1 = 1971), the assembly plant code (a single letter) and the 6 digit plant sequential number. The VIN derivative does not include the rest of the front part of the actual VIN.

The cowl tag for '70 and '71 will show if the car is an F85 L6 (331...), an F85 V8 (332...), a Cutlass L6 (335...), a Cutlass or Cutlass S V8 (336...), a Cutlass Supreme (342...) or a 442 (344...).

Randy C.

 

342 would indicate a Cutlass Supreme. The 442 had its special code 344. So Yes, you are correct. f85, Cutlass were coded 331, 332, 335 and 336

 

Could a late 71 442 have a VIN beginning with 342 as opposed to 344? I'm asking because I'm interested in a 71 with the 342....want to make sure it is incorrect before I cross it off my list. I'll try to post the cowl tag.

 

Absolutely not. VIN numbering must be coordinated with the federal gov't and is thus well documented. Automakers cannot arbitrarily change VIN numbering in mid-year without documentation and this is NOT documented in any factory literature for the 1971 model year. If you are looking at a 1971 with a 342xxx VIN, it's a Faux-Four-Two.

 

but if it was a 70-72 supreme wouldnt it be obvious it wasnt a 442 ?

 

Not if it was a convertible. All 1970-72 A-body convertibles were either Supremes or 442s.

 

I think the point trying to be made is:

In 1970 there are 3 body styles you can get 442's in:
34487 fastback coupe
34477 post coupe
34467 convertible

1971 will show 2 different body styles with 344 prefix:
34487 (fastback coupe) and
34467 (convertible)
There were no post coupe 442's produced in 1971 to the best of my knowledge, and no more W31s or Rallye 350s either.

In 1972 the 442 lost the distinction of being it's own line - it became an option you could order as a W30 performance package or W29 appearance package:
Cutlass (2 door hardtop) model 3287
Cutlass S ( 2 door hardtop and post coupe) models 3687 and 3677. Either could be ordered with 442 W29 or 442 W30 package.

The Cutlass Supreme 4267 was offered as a 442 as a convertible ONLY and I believe it was only as the W30

As well in 72, ONLY the Cutlass Supreme styles 4257 and 4267 were offered as Hurst Olds.

 

The point I was trying to make is that the OP didn't specify the body style he was looking at. While a notchback Supreme obviously can't be a real 442, a convertible Supreme is relatively easily cloned into a 442.

Except for that pesky 342xxx VIN, of course.

You were doing great up until there. Shoulda quit when you were ahead.

 

Yeah, well it was stated as a belief not a fact.

So does 113 verts, and 659 post/hardtops sound about right for 72 W30 production?

One of my sources lists overall 442 production (not including HO) for 72 as:

Cutlass hardtop 751
Cutlass S Post 123
Cutlass S hardtop 7800
Cutlass Supreme vert 1041