Hey guys. I was wondering if anybody had purchased the Shop and Assembly Manuals for the 68 Olds 442's and if so, did they find the purchase worth it. I have quite a restoration ahead of me and could use some good paperwork.

And does anybody know what the piece is at the back of the cowl?

 

I'd have to say if you are restoring anything, you should have a service manual.
I bought a reproduction for my 70 model, just as it is, but several dirty pages from use. Best paperwork is a chassis service manual, and body manual to go with it if you are doing it yourself, and finally, best of luck!

 

Those manuals are worth it. I have the factory service manuals for my 64 98 and they have been useful numerous times. Definitely buy them if you are going to tinker with your car.

 

I agree with the other guys and have been trying to get one of every year from 1964-72. Not quite there yet! ebay is the best place in my opinion, and you can sometimes find them for $25ish. If your willing to pay $80 you can get one right away from one of the businesses. A note to remember though, if it's a reprint they're offering the wiring schematics on the factory books were in color. I heard one person say that the reprint they bought showed this in black and white.

You mentioned something on the cowl of your car. If your asking about the tag with the numbers and codes on it that's the trim tag. It will say what the original color of paint and interior were on your car and if it had a vinyl top its color too. It will also identify where it was built, and I think it will tell if it was bucket or bench seat. There will be a few other details, if you want to post the information on it we can look it up in our references and tell you what it means.

Also, long ago you were looking for 1968 hood springs. I was trying to find a set for you, got busy at work, and lost track of it. Did you get what you needed? John

 

Hey Blu, yea I was able to finally get a set. They are sitting in my kitchen waiting for me to come back and clean em up and mount them. Thanks though!

The piece I'm mentioning is the piece at the back of the cowl ON the hood. Right behind the chrome louver plates. It looks kinda like a poor man's cowl induction intake like on the 70 Chevelles. anybody got any ideas?

 

I'm guessing it's just an appearance thing, kind of like the chrome louver plates.

 

I have no clue what its called and no clue where to find one, haha.

 

Are you missing parts from yours? I've got an extra hood, kind of hate to break it up but if you strike out finding the pieces you need let me know. John

 

Jeez man, we're chasing each other all over these posts, haha.

Yea I'm missing the parts off the back of the cowl, I believe, unless its in the trunk which I didn't get to clean out yet. Maybe buried under the radiator. I have the louvers, just not the back piece. What condition is the hood in, cause mine has a good dent in it, nothing that can't be knocked out but if you have a full one...

 

Here's the pics I have of the car, I don't think I've ever put them on here. the red circle shows the part I'm missing.

 

This is a good afternoon to talk '68 stuff! If I remember right mine has some waves in it, but it's not rusty which is good! I think I'm still 600-700 miles from your Nevada home, unless I could sell you a truckload of parts and/or you have a reason to drive through this way it'd be hard to get these large items to you. Need an engine? Wanna spare??

 

Now THAT is a kick in the pants... here's what's in my driveway!

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When do you get back stateside? Get in touch when you do and I'll set you up with some parts. John

 

Jolly Green, that is an awsome car.

 

blu I've driven all over the country for the Air Force, so long trips mean nothing to me AND I got a full size Ram that got me all over the country so if there's alot of parts that need a new home, I wouldn't be upset if I had to come get them, haha.

The 455 was rebuilt but it was by a shadetree mechanic before I bought it. The body is really straight except for the hood so that's what actually got me to pick it up. Plus the price was good...I hope, hahaha.

This is my first musclecar, so I want to use it as a learning tool, so I'm going to try and do most of the work myself.

Your pics didn't come thru, might be because of the military filter, damn!

 

All this '68 talk has me all misty, mine is snowbound in the garage for couple more months.....not a 442, but it looks nice... fired her up today.......looking for 15" type SSII rims........dam palm trees in the one pic.......back to the topic at hand, any and all literature regarding your vechicle should be a welcome addition to the whole experience!

 

your 68 looks great! I like how you used the 442 stripes while keeping the original cutlass emblems.