I came accross a 1966 olds 442 with a 3speed on the tree. Is this a rare option? I am also trying to figure out which engine is in it. I am assuming it is a 400cu.in. The numbers on the block are 390925E, what engine is that? I am new at reading firewall tags. Can somebody help me read the tag on firewall.

Thanks Matt

 

E block is 66 and 67 400
three on the tree rare
I know it was made in Lansing
L L is the color which I am not sure which color it is
and the build date is one of the letter and numeral sets to left of tag
66/67 not my specialty but someone on here will be able to give you more info

 

What a rare 442 with the 3spd column shift.

L L stands Tropic Turquoise upper and lower colors.

12B body date of 2nd week of Dec. 1965

Henry

 

Okay found out more
12 B - build date second week in December
936 A - Turquoise bench seat
LL- exterior color Tropical Turquoise

2A and 3D on the bottom not sure about those but someone on here will know if not ask Joe Padavano

 

OK,that's the second 66 442 three on the tree known to exist. The E block is correct,the heads should be a B with a V1XXXXXX prefix # stamped on the right front cylinder head pad. If the heads are correct,that's where it should be. Sometimes if the heads have been removed for work,they sometimes put them on backwards. The heads will fit either way but the # will be on the drivers side rear if so.

The tag is hard to read all of the data but from what I see,it's second week of December 65 build date. I think I can see the 5V which indicates the 442 option. If you can get a clearer straight on picture of the tag,it would help. The tag looks like it's damaged or bent somewhat. Is this car for sale? If the trans is original,it will be the Dearborn unit,cute word for a Phord trans. With the 33407 body,it's a Club Coupe,just as the other three on the tree car is.

Thanks for sharing and I would like to know more about it.

 

The car was turned into a drag car years ago. The floors were removed and replaced with aluminum. The trans was also removed and replaced with a 4speed. The engine was sent to holbrook engines and was built (was told it was 500hp.) The engine does have tri power heads. The car was backhalfed and had a narrowed dana 60 put in it with strange axles. The car was also painted maroon. All this was done in the early 80's by the previous owner. This car is for sale.

 

Tripower heads properly termed Tri Carb heads should have a T at the end of the engine unit # stamped on the head.

 

Do you know how much it is? Are any pictures available of the complete car?
Thanks

 

Here are some pictures

 

Metro Detroit car? I work close to Holbrook Engines.

 

Yes

 

Data tag looks like its been off and glued back on btw.

 

PM sent.

 

I dunno about that; the "shmeary" appearance / rivets looks rather typical, though not sure I can say the same about the warped appearance of the tag itself (could've been due to heat?).

 

This car was repainted in the 80`s. That might have something to do with it.

 

Any history on this car before this? I'm in Chicago area and in late 70's, a guy had a 66 with same colors and 3 speed column. I don't remember any other details, except I didn't think it was a 442, due to the trans.

 

I was reading this thread and have a question. I have a set of B heads, large valves. #'s on front N545976T. Just wondering. Ken

 

Car is sold.

 

Did you buy it? I saw you posted it on FB

 

My old man did.

 

My take on the tag is it is still attached by it's OE rivets, it is warped due to it being sandblasted(note texture of surrounding firewall). Yet there appears to be plenty of dum dum still present. However, one only has to touch briefly the tag with a blaster at high pressure to warp the soft aluminum tag. The wiring harness clip was moved and it's original mounting hole was drilled for the guage line in the picture. It is hard to see the group 5 code. It looks like a 5Y to me which would make it an M11 saginaw job. However, if it is a 5V then it would be a M13 dearborn job(given the front clip and dash plate, more likelya M13, note quadrant/column). Look like a low mileage car. Need a better picture of the group 5 code and an examination of the steering column. The W is tinted windshield, known, the 2A is foam padded seats, unconfirmed, 3D is light group, unconfirmed. The B code, under "Corporation", a process code, is unknown.

 

The critical aspect is whether the letter after the 5 is a V or Y. And, of course, if the tag is original to the car. It looks like a Y to me, but what I think I see doesn't matter. I know of the 3 on the tree that Mike is referring to. But I don't know how it was determined to be original because the column shift manual was not an option in '66.

 

You are kidding,right? The 3 on the tree was an option as Curt mentioned in his response. I think the option code was M13 for the 442 Dearborn and M12 for the Saginaw. I will look to see if I can find the letter from Olds saying the column shift 442 was being discontinued during the model year. Curt will tell you the car he has is for sure a 3 on the tree Dearborn 442.

 

I didn't say I didn't believe it, I just didn't know what the basis was. I know at some point in the year, the M14 (toploader with the Hurst floor shift) was the standard trans. Meaning the column shift 3 spd was not available. But I was unaware that the column shift was the standard shift for some time early in the year. And the M14 then optional. I would like to know when the change was if you can get that to me. If it is a bulletin, I'd like to get a copy, thanks!
Fortunately, there are production numbers for 3-spd manuals 442s. Unfortunately they are not broken down by column and floor shifts for '65 and '66.

 

Mike Kurt/Curt ---- But what about the 33407 code? Can it be a 442 with 33407 in a 66? It cant be in 67 - eh?

 

Sure. In '66 it could be 2 F85 models, the F85 V8 Club Coupe and the F85 Deluxe, and 3 Cutlass Models, the Cutlass Holiday Coupe, Cutlass Sports Coupe, and the Cutlass Convertible. It '67 it was limited to the Cutlass Supreme.
Of course in '66, the first year for the Supreme, the Cutlass Supreme was only a 4-door hardtop model.

 

Duh! Brain fart --- i knew all along that F-85s could be 442 in 66. Thanks for the "reminder"!!
Thanks Kurt!

 

On page 25 of the 1966 Inspectors Guide,it lists M13 Manual Transmission-3 Speed Fully Synchronized -Column Shift-Heavy Duty * Mandatory & Available only with L-77 or L-78 Options If SM Column Shift Is Ordered. The letter I thought was for the discontinuation of this option but it was for the discontinuation of the 4 speed 6 cylinder option. The M13 column shift option actually started in 65 with the release of the Dearborn trans and was available with column and M14 floor mounted shift. As you know,the column shift 3 speed Dearborn was dropped for 67 but the pages are in the PIM-assembly manual marked 'Cancelled.'

 

More on the subject. The M13 was available starting in '65. It was used as M11 standard in full size cars. It appears on page 7-1.4 of the PDM(Product Description Manual) as release group code M13 with a latest revision date of 8-25-65, rev R. It next appears on page 7-2.3 of the PDM showing the installation instructions with a latest revision date of 2-28-66. I have seen no cancellation marketing bulletins on the M13(there was a cancellation for the M20/M21 with the L6 dated 3-2-66). It appears at the present time it was available as a RPO(Regular Production Option) through the whole model year. It also still appears in my August 26th, 1965 and March 9th, 1966 engineering orders. I own one as well. The M13 I have has a build date of 10C and only has accessory codes of 4M(chrome window trim) and 5V(W29 trim). That would make this 12B job the latest one I know of to surface if it is a 5V car. The M13 option was canceled for 1967. 103 1966 Club Coupes were built with either M13 or M14 options in '66. There is no breakout of the options I know of at this time as well.

 

A L-6 with a 4 speed and a side tach that would be a hoot.

 

I have a Dearborn 3 speed from a 66 or 67 if you are needing one.