need opinions: bought 68 442 that was a stick. it came with no motor or trans. should i go back with stick (don't know how to drive one) or go with automatic. how would this affect value of car and what motor should i put in it. if i go with stick, who/were can i get one from. thanks

 

It seems these days originality means a lot so I would say it would be worth while to get it back to original. As for learning to drive stick it is not hard and with a musclecar its quite fun....as long as you are not stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for miles. Components to get it bact to original can be found at swap meets, online sites such as this one and of course EBAY!

 

thanks. so should i put a 400 back in the 68 442.

 

If it were me I would look for a 68 to 69 vintage 400 for it.....the earlier 400's had a different casting letter and different stroke and bore. The 400 was gone in 1970 with only 2 choices for a V-8....the 455 and the small block 350. The trans you need is a muncie coarse spline unit used by Chevy, Buick, Olds, and Pontiac.

 

I'll always take a stick over an automatic. As for originality, you don't have the original engine and trans, so it will never be original. Use a 455 and paint it bronze. The G-block 400 is not Oldsmobile's best engine.

 

Keep the stick. As for the engine, whatever you want.

 

I have never driven a stick... well excet for a 1991 Hyundai Excel. You might want to do some reasearch first though. I have heard that the Muncies are quite pricey. I do believe there are other manual transmissions you can get for Olds engines that are just as good if not better than Muncies. I have always been an automatic man myself, but I think it would be fun to drive a muscle car with a stick shift.

 

I would say go for stick too. I learned to drive stick here in germany while stationed here. I have a 68 olds 442 also, and mine didn't have the orig engine in it anymore. Its a 455. I have been thinking of either putting an orig 400 back into it or keeping the 455. But after some thought, I think I will keep the 455.. I think from the outside, the 400 and 455 look the same. I wish my 442 was stick though!! If you search around, you may be lucky and find someone selling an engine and tranny setup complete for not too much money. you would be surprised

 

You are supposed to get better gas mileage if your car has a stick. I wonder if this holds true for muscle cars?

 

I agree with the other guys about getting a stick, they're a lot of fun to drive and I'm sure you could get the hang of it. The one negative would be if you commmute through LA or Seattle every day as stop and go traffic does take some the fun out of it. Do you have the pedals and Z bar still in the car? I would watch Craigslist.com for a transmission as sometimes you can find someone just cleaning out their garage and willing to sell one for just an arm, not an arm and a leg! But if you price a rebuilt automatic, and I'm always hesitant to buy used automatics, your not going to spend a lot more money on a 4 speed. Also check ebay, if you find one close by you might have an edge not needing to pay shipping. First choice would be a muncie from the 1960's into 1970's, close ratio preferred but don't discount a wide ratio if the price is right. Second choice would be a Super T-10 but stay away from just a T-10 as I think they may not be strong enough for the torque of an Olds 400 or 455. I have a Super T-10 that came out of a late 1970's camaro, so you can look for them there too. You will need to find a crankshaft that is drilled for a pilot bearing or bushing or have a competent machine shop drill one for you. Keep us posted on what you decide, and how your progress is going! John

 

Yeah, that's an understatement. When I lived in SoCal, I rowed my 70 W-30 up and down Sepulveda between Torrance and El Segundo commuting to work. Of course, I also had a very stiff clutch in it. I seemed to get an unusual wear pattern in the sole of my left shoe...

 

guys, thanks for the advise and input. will keep you updated.

 

i think there is a 4 sp muncie on ebay right now. Can give you an idea of what that kind of tranny would go for. keep us updated

 

No one asked if the pedals and/or linkage is still in place. If the engine and trans were plucked with out taking the other stuff the re-installation of a manual trans will be much easier. The vise-versa applies if someone ran an auto in the car. My ideal combo would be a 455 with a 4, 5, or 6 speed Manual trans.

 

wouldn't you pay about the same price to put a 4 speed as you would to put a t-56(6 speed) with the right adapter plate?

 

I would put it back to original. 400 / 4 speed. If you can't find a 400 then put the 455 in it. I have a 68' 442 and I have a 400 and 4speed w/3.91

It's a great combo setup.

 

Go With The 4-speed !!!

If you need some stuff to help with the restoration check out

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/parts-sale/5960-selling-off-my-stash-gm-olds-performance-parts.html

I am working on a list of parts still available from my "parts car" like fenders, tail lights etc. Let me know what you need.

Good Luck -

 

what year parts car?

 

My parts car was a 1968 442 convertible.

 

all great just keep in mind 4 speed cars bring higher value but its hard to drink a beer and hold your girl friends leg and shift at the same time.

 

Clearly you haven't mastered the art of steering with you knees...

Let's just say that I was able to row my 70 W-30 4spd up and down PCH (first-neutral-first-neutral-first-SECOND!-neutral...well, you get the idea) while also holding a coffee cup (admittedly, a travel mug).

 

Umm, you could always ask her to hold your beer.

 

What he said!

 

I'd go with the stick. Learn to drive one. The car is worth what you are willing to sell it for and the buyer is willing to pay you for it. However, I think a correct 4 speed muscle car will bring more money than an incorrect automatic muscle car. But that's just my $0.02

 

I vote stick also. I even have a spare transmission which can be had for a fair price

 

I found a complete 4 speed for 1200 bucks on e-bay. Pedals, springs, rods, you name it it was there. I had the motor redone with the Edlebrock package and the car should be done in two weeks. I'll keep you guys updated. By the way the car was a stout turbo 350 but just damn boring to drive. So I guess my vote is for the 4speed.