Gary M

On Oldsmobile central website for sale . Not mine.

71rocket

I saw that. It's close to me and I have half a mind to call about it, granted I'd have to move my '62 C-10. Wish it were a hard top.

Gary M

Called him again today. Says rear end was replaced by previous owner (not known what was put in). Says is 4 barrel carb. Asked what trans ( OD or OG) did not know yet. Asked if could call me back but did not. HMM. loosing interest fast. Body work ,interior, exhaust and front end work could ruin this deal. Wild about cars says the 365 HP motor was not the same as 442. Says the torque is at lower RPM as well as motor is weaker at high RPM than 442 motor. SX was a turnpike cruiser option to get past insurance per wild about cars. Does it still make the car more valuable today? Any advise on this?

vette442

The W32 455 with the OG trans is the exact same 365 hp engine as the base 442. The one with the OD trans is the "big car" 455, also with 365 hp.

Note my signature pic. I have the same car in similar condition with many of the same options but with the L-33 2-barrel. I paid about the same price in 2003, and I wouldn't part with it for less than $15k today as-is. Lots of crap and incorrectly "restored" ones out there.

Terry

Allan R

I wouldn't believe what you referenced on Wild About Cars. They have some good information, but also some inaccurate stuff as well.

It's common knowledge that the 70 Cutlass Supreme SX was offered with 3 engine packages. The SX (aka Y79 Performance package) had a somewhat inferior engine till Feb of 70 when it was upgraded. But all the way along it was offered with the option for the W32 engine.

Note: in 1970 the 442 was offered with 4 engine choices which included the W32 option. So to say that it's a weaker engine than those offered in the 442 is self defeating. It had smaller displacement, lower HP and different cam than a 455 so maybe the way they explain it is subject to interpretation - my understanding is that the W32 engine was rated at 360 hp. If this is one of those cars (allegedly 1025 were built with the W32 engine) it is definitely a rare car. But if the driveline has been tampered with it's going to hurt the valuation.

Gary, post a link to the car? I'm too lazy to search for it.

Gary M

Go to Oldsmobilecentral.com and it will be there at 9500.00. It is red and in mo.

Allan R

Gary, except for that hideous extra molding on the sides, it looks a lot like a survivor car. Definitely needs some work but that price looks decent for what's being offered. If the owner can provide details about the rear end change that would help. Possibly he meant the gears? Or does the car no longer have an O type rear end? The car looks pretty solid in the pics (yeah, definitely some body work and interior needed) but if it was local here I'd be over looking at it and possibly driving it home for that $$.

http://www.oldsmobilecentral.com/for...Lee-Summit.php

vette442

Huh? The 1970 W32 is a 455 and again, is the exact same engine that was in the base 1970 442. Same displacement, same cam, same horsepower, same everything. This engine was not referred to as a W32 in the 442, and it wasn't an option in the 442. It was the standard engine. The only other option for the 1970 442 would have been the W-30.

Are you thinking of the 1969 W-32 that was a 400?

Terry

Allan R

Yes! Sorry bout that and thanks for clearing that up.

vette442

There's enough confusion out there about the SX! : )

Gary M

But is this the W32 engine in this car? Also it needs A bushings ( which in my opinion means a new front end) and exhaust as well as the bodywork. Both rears as well as one fender. The front seat covers will be at least 300.00 if I do the work myself. I really want to do this project but I have to make money on this one. Should also mention that the seller said his Father just finished a restore of his 442. My cynical side says maybe he scavenged. Don't know but due diligence is always positive.

Allan R

I believe the only way to know if it has the W32 engine would be to take it apart and check the cam and heads. Terry will likely know the answer to that. The block should have the same 396021 F casting as any other 70-72 455, right? IIRC in 1970 only the W30 got the aluminum intake.

Koda

I presume a broadcast card would also work. Since the engine obviously will not be torn down for inspection for a sale, one cannot expect a buyer to believe the w32 without proof, thus the car should be sold as the lower engine model for pricing.

From what I understand, the only difference between a Cutlass Supreme W-32 convertible and a 442 convertible with automatic was badging and different rear end options, I think. They are interesting cars.

vette442

Check the trans to see if it's an OD or OG, then check the VIN stamps on the trans and engine block. If both VIN stamps match the car, the original trans will tell you which 455 you have. The only complication is if someone converted a 2bbl. L-33 to a 4 bbl. since those used the OD trans too but that would likely be obvious in some way or another.

Terry

wmachine

For anyone really interested in the truth, what is posted in the AHPS Library (incorrectly still referred to now as Wild About Cars) is accurate.
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990392229232
It does not say the 365 hp W32 engine is not the same as the 442 auto engine, in fact it says that it is. There *is* a 365 455 that was used later in the SX later in the model year. That was the L31 version and was not as good for high performance A-body applications. None of the engines offered in the SX are "inferior". The L31 was designed for the big car, not A-Bodies.

For the record, anyone who has any information contrary to the above link is welcome to submit supporting evidence and the AHPS will be happy to correct any compiled information.

I am only compelled here to write, so others reading this will not dismiss the AHPS Library material just because of someones personal agendas.
I think any attempt to discredit what is being done there pretty well speaks for itself.

Gary M

Don't think there is an agenda. Thanks for the input though. I have gotten some good info from these sources. They are a very valuable resource.

Gary M

Lost interest in this one due to lack of seller supplied info. Spent countless hours online resulting in misquote due to info overload by people and links who just don't know. Decided that due to public lack of knowledge and confusion in this car it is not a viable project. The research required to verify this car is legit is ridiculous. Someone who wants one makes it viable but I need more public interest to make it worth my time and money. A 442 on the other hand always pays off. Will concentrate on that angle now. P.S my apologies to AHPS for inaccurate quoting of content on their site. Also, thank to all who responded on this thread. I got accurate info here. Much appreciated.