Gary's 2 442-S

I recently acquired a 68 442 convertible. I originally thought the engine in the car was a 400 but it appears to be a 455. casting by the oil filler is 396021f which I believe is a 455. The heads are C heads. Did the 455 in 68 come with the C heads? There has been some changes on the block from what I can tell, one being the in take manifold is painted gold and the block is red. So I am wondering is the engine is mismatch with a 400? I have not pulled the engine and wont be doing it for some time. It also has chrome valve covers. By the way it does have a 400 transmission.

Gary

dnmfranco

if there is an F there than yes a 455
yes in 68 and 69 the 455's came with C heads for the 88's 98's and toros for instance
However the heads could be original to the car still.
Date codes on the heads could narrow that down
455's in 68 and 69 were painted red, the intake could be bronze and was kept from original motor
If that is the white convert from ebay I thought owner mentioned numbers matching motor???
Dean

Gary's 2 442-S

Dean,

Yes that is the car but the seller never mentioned that it was number matching. Here is what he advertised " 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Convertible, "BARN FIND", Engine is a 442 with a Turbo Automatic Transmission. This car is a great project car. Stock Wheels. Most everything is there and not in bad shape for it's age. 126,062 Original Miles showing on the Odometer. This is an Air Condition Convertible. Power Steering & Power Brakes. Body is in good condition and underneath is not in to bad condition. Interior is rough but all there. Car has been in storage for several years. Car runs and drives (Lot Driver). What you see is what you get. Be the first on your block to own one of these Bad Boy Convertibles" So he has calling it a 442 engine. He is a Mustang guy and did not know much about Oldsmobile's. I am thinking there has been an engine change on this car sometimes in its life.

dnmfranco

Okay my mistake
Oh yeah it looked to be a solid car for sure.
Lol I do remember that famous bad boy quote
Yes far as the engine change unfortunately quite common with the 68 and 69 400 G blocks as they didn't hold up well and more than not were replaced w 455's

Gary's 2 442-S

That is what I was thinking. Also with this car it appears on the body tag that it came from the factory Jade green or gold but everything I see is the car was white, unless there was a repaint and they completely stripped it down. I am also curious about the vin because the title has a"W" in the vin but it looks like to me that it is "M". I gave the paper work to the State of Texas and they are putting the W on the vin. I really can't tell which one it is because that vin tag is rusty. If I do find out later after I pull the windshield, Then I can get a better look at the vin take but I think it is a M.

dnmfranco

Yeah if you me the cowl tag info can tell you the colors
Def a M for Lansing, 68 442's were produced in Linden New Jersey which would be an E
Canada would have 1 in the vin
Fremont Calif -Z
Framingham MA - not sure what letter designated that plant nor have I ever seen a Framingham car

allyolds68

You should really get them to correct the VIN letter to "M" on the DMV paperwork.

FWIW Framingham was G and I don't think they built A body's there in 68.