w1po

Anyone have a general idea of what the actual horsepower of the W--29 350 442 option engine produced? I know the official number was dialed back for insurance purposes when introduced.
Dan

joe_padavano

The 1972 W29 package did not include the engine - it was only an "appearance and handling" package (grilles, emblems, and FE2 suspension). You could get a factory 1972 442 with any engine offered in the Cutlass line that year, from the 160 HP net L32 350 2bbl single exhaust motor to the 300 HP net L77 W30 motor. HP ratings in the 1972 model year were SAE net, and were pretty close to accurate. They were not "dialed back". Of course, there's still the issue of Olds using different cams in the AT and MT motors, so these numbers aren't 100% accurate, but they are close. Note that Olds did fess up to the fact that the MT L75 motor made about 20 HP more than the AT version of the same motor.

cherokeepeople

yup.my brother in law was given a new 72 442 when he graduated from college.2bbl single exhaust,bench seat.i still have the th350 trans from it,chicago rust ate the rest of it.

w1po

Great info Joe...thank you! I have an L34 with manual trans 4 speed.
Dan

joe_padavano

That sounds just like the one I drove cross country from Boston to L.A. in 1980. FYI, the N10 dual exhaust adds 15 HP to the L32 and 20 HP to the L34.

BLUZIN

Hi Joe, What was the size of the factory exhaust?

olds 307 and 403

They are 2.25" head pipes and 2" tail pipes.

joe_padavano

^^^This

twilightblue28A

Which "L" engine is the 455CI U code, non W?

Koda

L75.

joe_padavano

From Post #2 (HMT=HydraMatic Trans)

twilightblue28A

Thank you!! Nice to have a thread without conflict. 😆