help

 

It has to be a 455/TH400 to start with. Next...Paperwork... line card, window sticker, build sheet, bill of sale etc...something with the Y79 option called out.
Is it a 2 or 4 barrel car? Get the TH400 pan rail numbers and tag numbers and get back to us Post the vin tag and cowl tag info as well.

Terry, vette442, is the resident expert on 70, 71 SX and Big Block Cutlass. PM him.

 

Could you get a 455 in a 1970-72 Supreme body style without it being a SX or Hurst Olds?

 

Bounce the vin on the block against the vin tag. If the last digits coincide, it would be pretty indicative. Otherwise paperwork would make an iron clad defense. If a coupe, it would have inner fender braces. It should also have WZ manifolds and a cutout bumper. Ultimately the block stamp would let you know.

 

Ironically, you COULD get a 455 without the Y79 SX package in 1970, and you could also get one in 1972 (since there was no Y79 that year), but in 1971 the 455 was only available in the Supreme line with RPO Y79 SX package.

 

Can you elaborate on this as I don't understand what you mean.

 

The stamping on the left/forward bank directly below the deck reflects the vin stamping of the vehicle.

 

^^^THIS. In 1971, if a Supreme had a numbers-matching 455 block (assuming it's not a restamp), then it's an SX, since that was the only way to get a 455 in a Supreme in the 1971 model year.

 

OK, thanks for the explanation. For whatever reason I didn't catch that when reading the post.

 

CO member vette442 is an expert on the tell-tales of all things SX, especially if there are no Y79 documents.

 

If the SX had it's own transmission code like the W30 (OW) and the vin number on the transmission matched the car. That would be another way to verify.

 

1971 should have an OD code trans, which I believe is unique to the SX that year.

 

Correct.... However, based on the percentage of increase in value over a standard Cutlass Supreme, once you’ve gotten to this point it is a mute issue unless the said car is of sentimental value or has other points of social interest. IE: movie car, celebrity ownership, sensational crime related auto etc. Don’t mistake my comment for a lack of interest or respect, I love these cars. It is just a realistic approach. If I were to buy another SX car as a collector it would be numbers match, documented and either restored or a senior car in excellent condition. Restoration is very expensive when done right, even when you have the ability to do it yourself.

 

The T400 code for an SX is OD. If the VIN on the T400 with an OD code matches the VIN on the dash you're in business. Also all big block Cutlasses of that era had frame reinforcement bars at the rear suspension and SX hard tops had frame reinforcement bars attaching to the hole in front of the hood hinges on the fenders. Other than the VIN check for the engine, previously indicted that's it for verification. FE2 suspension was optional. 2:56 gears were standard.

 

what trans code would 72 be. I had a early 72 I know had the od trans and a 455 4 brl. Still have the top end of that motor. Carb, intake, distributor, heads.

 

1965 2 Bar. Carb Hi compression OA
4 Bar. Carb OB
2 Bar. Carb Lo compression OC
Heavy duty unit OE


1966 Ultra Hi perf. Engine OD
Jetstar 88 OF
Heavy duty unit OE


1967 Vista Cruiser OA
Senior Models 2 & 4 Bar. Carb OB Senior Models Low Compression OC Starfire Engine OD Heavy duty Transmission OE
Delmont 88 OF
F-85 V8-400 4 Bar Carb OG
F-85 V8-400 2 Bar. Carb OH
Toronado OJ
1968 V8-350 Vista Cruiser OA
V8-350 Delmont OF
V8-400 Vista Cruiser OP
V8-400 2 Bar. Carb 442 OH
V8-400 4 Bar. Carb F-85 Cutlass 442 OG
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb OC
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb OB
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb Heavy duty Police OL


1969 V8-350 Vista Cruiser OA
V8-350 Delta 88 w/cruise control OA
V8-350 Delta 88 OF
V8-400 442 Ram Air OW
V8-400 442 Exc. Ram Air OG
V8-400 4 Bar. Carb Vista Cruiser OP
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., 98 OB
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb Delta OC
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb., Delta, 98 OK
V8-455 Heavy duty Police OL
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb Delta OR

1970 V8-350 Exc. below OF
V8-350 w/cruise control OA
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb Exc. below OC
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb.,Delta 88 OB
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., cruise control OR
V8-455 Cutlass Exc. SX OD
V8-455 Cutlass 442 Exc. SX Ram Air OG
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., Senior models cruise control OK
V8-455 Vista Cruiser OK
V8-455 Police OL
V8-455 442 Ram Air OW


1971 V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., Supreme OD
V8-455 442 OG
V8-455 442 w/ Air induction OW
V8-455 Vista Cruiser OA
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb., Vista Cruiser OR
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., Vista Cruiser OK
V8-455 2 Bar. Carb., Senior models OR
V8-455 Senior models Dual exhuast OK
V8-455 Delta 88 Single exhuast OR


1972 V8-350 Vista Cruiser OA
V8-350 Senior models OA
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., Cutlass Dual exhuast OD
V8-455 4 Bar. Carb., Cutlass W30 OW
V8-455 Senior models OR
V8-455 Senior models Dual exhuast OK
V8-455 Vista cruiser Dual exhuast OK

http://www.tpocr.com/oldstc.html

 

very cool love the info thank you

 

 

X2 very good information, screenshot and put into my notes for future reference.

 

List is not 100% correct
Our 1971 442 with OAI has OG tag on numbers match to VIN TH 400
I think OW was w30 only

Thanks For Posting
Cheers
brian

 

When they say "Ram Air", they mean W30 only, not 442s with W25. Even the Olds parts book says "O.A.I." when they really mean "W-30 only".

 

I know from experience in the GM parts book, OAI was substituted for W30, so in this case I would conclude the same. W30 is not specifically mentioned in this list and as we know W30 was indeed offered, OAI must mean to cover off the W30 option, and it is indeed code OW per the list.

 

The information on that list is still not entirely correct for the 1970 listing.
The L-33 455 2bbl engine installed in the Cutlass line including the SX received the OD trans.
The L-31 455 4bbl engine installed in the Cutlass SX also received the OD trans.
The W-32 455 4bbl engine installed in the Cutlass SX received the OG trans.
Mr. Padavano is correct in stating that if you have a numbers matching 455 engine in a 1971 Cutlass Supreme, then it is an SX. It was the only way.