I have a 67 442 Automatic, my second after a 35 year emptyness...

My question is: Were there two HP ratings for the 442, 350 HP for a manual and 325 HP for an Automatic? Most of the information you see only lists 350 HP, but it seems like long ago I saw that the automatic cars had a different cam and were rated at 325 HP, which makes sense.

 

No, they only went with the different ratings for manual and automatic on the G-block 400s for the '68 and '69 model years.I

 

only 2 hp ratings for 67 442.. 350hp for non-W30 and 360 for W-30 , stick or automatic
I believe in 68 they started having lower hp for auto W30 cars.

 

No, all W-30s were rated the same, regardless of transmission. The ratings difference between manual and auto was only on base engines in '68 and '69.

 

To clarify a few things:

In the 1967 model year, there were three different cams used in the 400 motors in the 442s, the 278/282 deg cam used in AT cars, the 286/286 cam used in MT cars, and the 308/308 cam used in the W-30s. Despite the use of different cams, all non-W 442s were rated at 350 HP with any trans. Take this number with a grain of salt. The W-30 was rated at 360 HP, again with any trans. Vacuum operated accessories (PB, A/C, etc) were not available with the W-30.

In the 1968 model year, there were again three cams used in 442s, the 262/274 cam in AT cars, the 286/286 cam in MT cars, and the 328/328 cam in all W-30s. MT 442s were rated at 350 HP, AT 442s at 325 HP, and W-30s at 360 HP. Again, vacuum operated accessories were not available with the W-30.

The 1969 model year was a duplicate of the 1968 cams and engines, with the exception of the addition of the W-32. The W-32 used the same 286/286 cam as the MT motors and was rated at the same 350 HP.

In the 1970 model year, there were again three cams, the 285/287 cam used in all AT 442s (including the AT W-30 motors), the 294/296 cam used in MT 442, and the 328/328 cam used in the MT W-30 cars. Despite having different cams for MT and AT motors, both applications were rated at 365 HP. Despite having very different cams for MT and AT W-30 motors, both applications were rated at 370 HP. How the far less radical AT W-30 motor, using the same cam as the AT 442 motor, could make the same HP as the MT version remains a mystery. This less radical cam allowed AT W-30s to be available with PB and A/C for the first time.

 

We got a little off topic on the '67 4-4-2 horsepower ratings. But, concerning the horsepower ratings in the late 60's and early 70's, car insurance was becoming a big factor in buying "performance cars". Insurance companies were charging the hell out of people with 4-4-2, GTO, GS and Chevelles.
GM instituted a rule of no less 10 to 1 weight/hp. The insurance companies were putting on surcharges and hurting sales.
1970 was also a year when horsepower ratings were under rated. 370 horsepower divided into 3707 pounds shipping weight (4-4-2 coupe) satisfied the GM "10 to 1 rule".
I am sure the 370 hp line crossed the horsepower graph some place, maybe just not at the peak horsepower. Those 328 degree cams made more horsepower and every W-30 raced in NHRA stock classes had one. NHRA "factored" Olds engines to provide fair competition during several years.
Ralph

 

This is exactly the issue. Not surprising that the earlier W-30s had 360 HP with about a 3600 lb curb weight either.

 

my 67 W30 sport coupe fell into 9. 5 lb/hp class. 3428÷360=9.52 . The holiday coupe was about 30 lbs heavier so the sport coupe didn't have to carry as much weight.
they didn't go to that 10lb "insurance standard" until maybe 70?

 

the ramrod F85 post coupe fell in the 10.00 class anmost perfectly at 3255lbs /325 hp. 3255/325=10.02.

 

No, this worked perfectly because the cars were delivered with sandbags in the trunk. Another little-known Oldsmobile corporate workaround.