I was road testing my 69 442 for the first time and was really disappointed in the performance, it is a 325 horse power, small valve engine with 3.23 posi and TH 400. Recent tune up with good compression, I had read some where that the 68 & 69 engines with small bore and long stroke were real dogs compared to the 66 & 67 442's. Does any one else share these opinions? Thx.

 

Yes, it is true that the '68 & '69 400 engines were not considered the best as it is far better to be close to equal when it comes to the bore and stroke numbers. This is why most just replace the 400 with a 455 as they were more common and bolted right in.

 

Built and tuned properly the long stroke 400 can perform well. I regularly see these with 365-400HP at the wheels. That aint no slouch but thats about the limit. It all happens low in the RPMs(by design), but respectful none the less as its a torguey engine. I wouldnt build one for the track due to the RPM limitation. For that I go at the 455s.(BTR496!).
Super tune your 400. Get the distributor advances dialed in(12*,22*38*). Get the fuel delivery dialed in. Install a looser converter (~2500) and a Trans-go shift kit and adjustable modulator in the trans. Block off the heat riser crossover in the intake and remove the stove flap in the drivers ex. mani. Install a taller air filter element so the lid sits an inch or so off the base. Oh and remove the rubber nipple in the fuel filter in the carb. Do that first and see if theres any difference.
Second choice...install a well built dialed in 455.

 

Just so happens I have a good running 455 sitting around doing nothing, hmm.

 

Many of us have shared that opinion here for years. On the other hand, every G-block 400 in the 68-69 442s got big valves from the factory.

 

I have owned three 1969 442s. Two were bone stock 325 hp automatics with 3.07 or 3.23 gears. Both were heavy option cars with a/c. I loved both cars but felt that both were way under powered with the stock 400. Frankly they were boring to me & I felt a stock 1970 350 powered Cutlass Supreme was a way faster car.


425 or 455 is a way better choice if originality is not a concern.

 

I agree, a small block would run circles around this dog. It is a really nice car and drives great, and I am the second owner so it has not been molested by multiple owners. I am going with the 455 and keeping the original engine for the next owner/collector. Should be a simple swap with a lot of benefits. What do you guys think? Thx

 

Joe, about 20 years ago my buddy with a '68 442 talked to Joe Mondello, who claimed to have pulled original G block 400's apart, and found that some of them had the smaller valves. I don't know how true it is, just saying.

 

I thought the 2bbl 400G "turnpike cruiser" engines had the small valve C heads??? My '68 has the original G block 350hp/4spd with 3.23 gears(& a/c) I was never a big fan of the long stroke 400 but I must admit I'm impressed at the way mine runs,tons of tire spinning low end grunt. It still can't compare to the W45 spec 455 I built for my last '68!! Someone had rebuilt the engine before I bought the car & I have no idea what was done to it. The car has 113k miles on it now. It had great compression(210 down both sides) good oil pressure,etc,so I left it alone,I just detailed it. The cam has a lope to it at idle but nothing like a"308" cam. I did add an old Edelbrock O4B intake, restored the Qjet and added a repop OAI setup. I'm still running the stock X-Y exhaust manifolds but I'm using Thrush "turbo" mufflers with o/s 2 1/4 tailpipes. My original plan was to pull the 400,store it, & put in a 455 or bigger & add a 5spd but for now I'm happy with the way it runs.

 

You are correct. All 1968 L65 2bbl G-block motors (Turnpike Cruiser and Vista Cruiser installations) got small valves. Sorry about that. All other G-block motors (including all 1969 400s) got big valves.

 

I raced a 1966 442 with the w-30 package in '66-'67. Got to view factory presentation of the new '68 442 w-30. Afterwards I decided that I just had to have one. I got my order in, just like my '66 no radio, no p/s, bare bones all the way. All I can say is that I was really disappointed. The damn thing "wouldn't fall out of a tree" It was ok, but nothing like the '66. Really no pull on the top end. That's the facts folks!

 

Just to update, removed the 400 and trans on Thurs, detailed the engine compartment on Fri and installed the (new) 455 and trans on Sat, hope to get all the accessories hooked back up this week and cruise on Thanksgiving. Napping today

 

You will have trouble getting that grin off your face for awhile.

 

The grinning started when the motor mounts lined up. Thx