My best buddy just gave me (yes, just GAVE me) his one-owner '68 442 4-speed convertible. We chased alot of girls in that car; most of them got away, but we snared a few. Couple of questions: 1. Did this car come standard with posi-trac, and if not, how can I tell if it was an option that's on this car? 2. How do I tell if I have a close ratio or long ratio shifter? The car's in very good condition, garaged all of its life, just hasn't been run since 1983. I plan on changing our all of the fluids. Where is a good resource to see what new fluids (weight, brand, etc.) I need to put in the trans and differential? Thanks for any and all replies.

 

The close or long ratio is in the trans it refers to the step form gear one to two to three and the Rpm drop between shifts . Posi was a option, You Got a one wheel peel unless it was paid for . Now Let me be the first to say

I WANT TO SEE IT !!!

 

Yea....Show some pics!

 

Make sure you use the proper transmission fluid and on the Oil I would use valvoline racing oil since it has zddp in it and the new oils have no protection for a flat tappet engine, if you use the oil without zinc your engine will not last. You can use any of the oils but use an additive with them every time you change the oil! Lucas has a good one and there are many others. The racing oils are "for off road and racing use only but they have the additives and I found valvoline racing oil for 5.85 a qt on sale and it is very good oil. Congratulations on the new old car, you have a real treasure but PLEASE POST PICs!!! Good luck

 

Welcome, this may help with your Muncie I.D. http://www.5speeds.com/muncie2.htm Info to identify your Muncie along with ratios. You will have either a M21 (close ratio) or M20 (wide ratio), depending on what gear it originally came with, you will not have a M22...1971 only.

 

OK, I've got another question. I absolutely KNOW this car is a factory 442. I was there when it was delivered off the truck to the dealership, I've got the original invoice, a copy of the original KS title, the original lien filing, and I've checked the VIN on the car, and they all match and they begin with 344678. So, in checking the internet FAQs, it says all '68 442s have to begin with 344848. Again, I know this is a factory original 442, but the number doesn't match what the internet site says must be the # for a 442. What gives? The car has never been restored or altered in any way, except for air shocks on the rear to allow for bigger tires, and it had a rechromed bumper put on it after getting bumped in the rear. Any enlightenment would be appreciated.

 

Your vin says it is and that's what matters. 344848? where did that come from? 34467,34477,34487 are the identifier's for 1968-1971 vins. (3) means it's an Olds 4467= convert. 4477=post coupe, 4487= Holiday coupe. Your internet source is wrong. the (8) on your vin (6th character) means the year. Buy Oldsmobile 442 & W machine resto guide, and Catalog of Oldsmobile 442, W-machines & Hurst/Olds. A Service Chassis Manual and an assembly manual would be good investments.

 

1969w3155 is right and there is so much disinformation out there and so called experts, you got the real deal and its a great car, you have one of 5142 and with the estimated scrapage rate of 5% per year x 45 years there aint many out da!! probably less than 200 give or take some but not many!!!

 

This info came from www.442.com/oldsfaq/of442.htm#442 1968. I've got all of these original documents and they're starting to show wear. Will it hurt their value to have the docs laminated in clear plastic? By the way, thanks so much for the reply, it was helpful.

 

Unfortunately 442.com's FAQ has a lot of incorrect info. As a whole I still do like the site, and was there before being pointed to this site.

 

With regards to your original documents, I placed mine in a secure place in document protectors so they won't deteriorate any more. Before I did that, though, I made color copies of all of them and I then laminated the color copies. It gives you that original look without placing your original documents in a situation where they cannot be retrieved.

Randy C.

 

Good idea on the docs. I've got the pics loaded on my computer now, how do I get them on this thread? Not very computer savvy, so will need DETAILED instructions, please. Thanks.

 

I think I finally figured out how to post the photos (I hope, anyway). The two guys in the pic are me (in blue shirt) and the donor (with the gray beard). There's one little rust spot right behind the rear wheel on the driver's side, but all in all, it's pretty nice. It will be with me until I die.

 

Well, I was wrong. After trying to post the pics as an attachment to a message, I got a notice that a security token was missing and the request couldn't be processed. I emailed the administrator (or think I did--was hard to tell if message went through).

 

you may need to resize the image...the image attachments windows show some file size guidelines

 

What?
You found an error on the internet? In the Olds info?!?!
You gotta be kidding!
I know I am!

To be more accurate:

all '68 442s have to begin with 344xx8, were "xx" represents either
67 for a convertible
77 for the one coupe or
87 for the other. I think 77 is post car and 87 is Holiday.



I know this is a factory original 442, but the number doesn't match what the internet site says must be the # for a 442. What gives?
=================
What gives, basically, is that the internet section you looked at is incorrect and no one will fix it. Or kill it.

Get yourself the FACTORY service manual. Less BS in there. You can get a CD copy, and old tattered paper copy ['68 CSM's fall apart], or you can AND SHOULD join the free gang "wildaboutcars.com" where they will show you the CSM for free.

Therein, you can learn how the factory used the VIN digits to define a 442, what a posi unit looks like, how the vacuum lines were supposed to be run, and every other significant and many not so significant details of your car's construction, operation, and repair.

Go forth and procure this knowledge!

 

Hopefully got the pics loaded (?!)

 

Woohoo!!!!! Finally got the pics to load! GEEZ! Ignorance is such a burden! So what do you guys think? Original paint, very small rust spot behind rear wheel on driver's side, some of the chrome (outside mirror, outside door handles, vent window frame are bubbled, but the interior is nearly perfect. It has the wood steering wheel, and the tick tock tach, but I can't remember if it works or not. I'm really debating whether to keep the original paint and just have the rust spot fixed, or have the whole car painted. Also, I'm trying to decide whether to convert the brakes over to disc or not. Decisions, decisions. Any input would be appreciated. Keep in mind this is an original, one owner car with 94k on it. By the way, the Olds dealer in KC talked my buddy into having the engine overhauled at 74k, so the dealer rebuild only has 20k on it, but I think it needs new lifters, according to my friend, probably in part because it was only driven 20k miles in the last 35 years. Thanks for any and all input. Mike.

 

That's a beautiful car. You're a very lucky man with a great friend

I'd drive it the way it is. It's only original once

 

you are a lucky guy. Congrats

 

Thanks for all of the nice comments. I hope I'm a worthy owner.

 

Congrats, but nobody likes Saffron yellow paint, so I'll give you a hundred bucks to take it off your hands! (Ok, it's one of my favorites from '67-69).

 

Ummm...let me think about it. OK, I respectfully decline.

 

What a great story; what a great Oldsmobile! I agree with others, leave it as it is and drive it,,,,,everywhere!

 

Yes, 5,142 442 'verts built in 1968. 1968 had the highest total production of 442's with 33,607 built.

 

I'm reposting to this thread so the pics I took last year when I picked up my 442 from my buddy in Dallas show up in the top of the forum messages again. I simply don't know how to transfer them from this thread to my "restoration kit?" thread. Sorry if this offended anyone. Mike.

 

Your car has GT stripe on it and we are very interested in it's detail, like the width and distance from the peak moulding and the shape of the ends of the stripe. Randy might like to see this one!

 

Excellent friend you have. Welcome to the forum.

 

If you want me to take measurements of it let me know. I'll also volunteer to take pictures of it if you want with the warning that I"m not very good at getting the pictures posted to the web. The car is totally original, so the stripe is as the factory made it.

 

I need to know what oil/grease to put in my '68 442 4-speed, and also what to put in the differential. I finally got it started after 30 years of being idle, but haven't moved it or put it into gear yet.

 

Measurements and pics of GT stripe would be great!

 

I use Lucas 80w-90 gear oil thus far no issues

 

here are pics of my Ram Rod stripes these are original.

The measurements are on passenger side: width of stripe is quarter of an inch give or take ; distance from stripe to peak moldings is three quarter of an inch. That does vary along the car though.

However upon delivery in 68 they smashed up driver side, as a result new fender thus new stripe. Significance is the stripe on driver side is an inch from peak molding and more consistent down the line with that measurement.

So, personally I would go a inch away - quarter inch on stripe.

Hope this helps Dean

 

Just saw this thread........

I hate you. Now sell me your car. Please????

Awesome friend you have there. They don't get much better than that.

 

1 of 1518 4 speed verts! Free...you suk! Just kidding... I hope you pinch yourself. This story make everyone here including me jealous!

 

Yeah, he's a great friend. When he gave me the car, he told me he thought about having me sign an agreement giving him the money if I sold it. I told him that'd be the ultimate in chickenshitdom, he gives me the car and I sell it. He laughed. I'm never going to sell it; it'll be passed on to my son once I die, and he has specific instructions he can never sell it either, it will continue to be handed down.

 

Kool. I for one like the yellow in 68 both on the chevelle, buick and the olds. Fix the rust spot (with a properly welded metal patch) touch it up and drive it. Down the road you can figure it out. I had a saffron 68 vert, auto, power windows, trunk... one of 3476. The one that got away! Still kickin myself for that and lookin for another 68 vert to fill the void.

 

If you're not scare of rust, I have a 68 442 convertible that was originally saffron yellow I'm selling. Its posted on a few sites. Here is the ebay link.

 

kansjfr: Isn't one of the pictures of the car on the Show Field at the Reno OCA Nationals 2/3 years ago? I remember seeing it, then. You really scored, and have a G-R-E-A-T friend!!!

 

Aron,
I think you are referring to my '68 4-4-2 - a white one with the black convertible top - I had it at Reno and the picture above was taken there.
My only regret while I was there was that I could not find you! I wanted to meet and talk with you! I asked around a bit and found people who knew you but I just wasn't able to connect with you! I enjoy your input to JWO and I just wanted to meet the person that writes those stories. Somehow I'll be able to meet you at a future National event, probably out west again.
Here's another shot - same car as kansjfr, just a different color and with different wheels!

Randy C.