1972 455 W30 - What Cars Used It?

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Old Mar 19, 2022 | 10:16 PM
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mickey_bigdaddy's Avatar
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1972 455 W30 - What Cars Used It?

Hello, my first post here.

I have a 1972 (32M176419) 455 (398021F) W30 with GA heads with M40 code automatic transmission. Would like to know what cars used this engine if anyone knows. Also, not sure what I should do with setup. I'm considering selling it.

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks









Old Mar 20, 2022 | 08:39 AM
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What makes you think that's a "W30" engine? The iron intake manifold suggests that it is NOT a W30. The only way to tell for sure is to tear it apart and measure the diameter of the valves and the profile of the cam lobes.
Old Mar 20, 2022 | 09:15 PM
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For the purpose of this thread, let's assume it is a W30.

If I decide to sell it, I'll worry about whether it's a real W30 then. For now, what I'm asking is, "what 1972 models had the 455 W30?" I can't find a list of all the cars that had the W30 as an option.

Thanks in advance.
Old Mar 20, 2022 | 09:24 PM
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Here you go from 1972 Oldsmobile Product selling information. (L-77 option)



Old Mar 21, 2022 | 05:34 AM
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Originally Posted by mickey_bigdaddy
For the purpose of this thread, let's assume it is a W30.

If I decide to sell it, I'll worry about whether it's a real W30 then. For now, what I'm asking is, "what 1972 models had the 455 W30?" I can't find a list of all the cars that had the W30 as an option.

Thanks in advance.
The W-30 motor (the L77 motor) was primarily used in cars with the RPO W30 performance package. That means it was optional in the Cutlass Hardtop Coupe, Cutlass S Sport Coupe and Hardtop Coupe, and in the Cutlass Supreme convertible. RPO W29 (442 package) was mandatory before you could get the W30 package. There were a handful of 1972 Hurst Olds cars that also came with the L77 motor. In every single case, the fifth character of the VIN will be an "X" to designate that motor option. And again, every single 1972 W30 motor came with an aluminum intake manifold, not cast iron.
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 12:52 PM
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Unless you can tie the vin derivitive stamped on the block to a car with an "X" as the 5th character in it's vin, you have no way to prove that it is a W30 motor. Nothing on that block as it is, indicates that it is a W30 motor. As Joe said, you have a cast iron intake, which is wrong for a W30. Unless you plan on tearing it down to inspect the guts, and find more info, then it is a 455 used across the board in 1972.
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 09:02 PM
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You're the experts, it's going to scrap yard this week then. Thanks for the help!
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 09:23 PM
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Why don't you post it for sale in the classified section on this site? People are always looking for rebuild-able 455's. Be sure to specify your location or that's the first question you will get.
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 09:25 PM
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Even if it’s not a w30 motor it still has value. List your location, I’m sure a local member here would pay you scrap rate or better for it.
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 01:43 AM
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Can you show a photo of the trans tag?
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 12:14 PM
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The exhaust manifolds alone probably worth 10x the scrap value of everything hanging from the hoist. Why does it NEED to be a W30 for it not to go the the scrap yard? In the first post you asked "what should I do with this setup?" Well #1 would be: DO NOT SCRAP IT!!! What should you do instead? One, sell it. Two, put it a car and get it running as is. Three, tear it down to inspect what it is or to rebuild for a project. Even if the motor is locked up, there are parts on it that have value (like the exhaust manifolds).
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Loaded68W34
The exhaust manifolds alone probably worth 10x the scrap value of everything hanging from the hoist.
The notched valve covers are worth at least $100 too
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 03:52 PM
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That's not an L77 but rather an L75 out of a U code VIN 72 Olds A body. Great core engine. Please do not crush it.

Last edited by oldsmobiledave; Mar 23, 2022 at 04:02 PM.
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 04:00 PM
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Yeah go ahead and scrap it. The world keeps right on turning. You guys are gullible.
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 05:21 PM
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75 W-30 H/O's Avatar
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I'm gonna take my dolls and go home 🙄.

Last edited by 75 W-30 H/O; Mar 23, 2022 at 05:24 PM.
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