What am I looking for when trying to verify that a '66 is really a 442. What's on the cowl tag, engine#, etc..... Anybody have this info?

 

list your vin number and someone may be able to help you. oldsfaq has a section on 442 verification but some here say there are some errors with it but i find it to be better than nothing.

 

The 442 was not a separate model in 1966, so there's nothing to learn from the VIN. If the car was built at an assembly plant other than Fremont, CA, then there will be a "4V" or "5V" (sorry, I can never remember which in 66) at the bottom left of the cowl tag. If it's a Fremont car, you're S.O.L. without the build sheet or the Protec-O-Plate that can trace the engine number to the VIN.

Obviously you need to look for things like the correct E-block 400 with B heads, the correct boxed lower control arms and sway bar, the 442 grille and emblems, the 442 taillights, and the vents in the front fenders, but all of that is bolt-on and will not prove anything.

 

Check the rear end upper control arms. (rear of frame cross-member) There should be 4 bolt holes on a true 442 frame. The Cutlass only has 1 hole. This is true for a 65 and should be for 66 and 67. There is an explaination posted on this site:

http://442restoration.homestead.com/65specs.html


Hope this helps.