My 1970 W-31 is finally on the road after 26 years
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 823
From: Meriden CT
My 1970 W-31 is finally on the road after 26 years
For those of you who remember this 1970 W-31 that came up for sale here in the fall of last year. Well luck was on my side and i ended up with this rare Olds.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ats-worth.html
After some work i fianlly got in roadworthy. It runs very stout and it drives great beleive it or not. I really love this car, its the model i have been looking to own for years! I still can't beleive i own it. For now i will drive and enjoy it as it is. Just wanted to share some recent pics.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ats-worth.html
After some work i fianlly got in roadworthy. It runs very stout and it drives great beleive it or not. I really love this car, its the model i have been looking to own for years! I still can't beleive i own it. For now i will drive and enjoy it as it is. Just wanted to share some recent pics.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,810
From: Long Island, NY
I don't know alot about these cars but there are a lot of W31 specific parts. It has a thicker balancer, aluminum intake and a bigger cam. Notice the manual brakes as well. Its an interesting car in that Olds was the only GM brand that ran a truly hotter small block in the A-Body at that time.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 823
From: Meriden CT
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From: Cesspool, South Carolina
I don't know alot about these cars but there are a lot of W31 specific parts. It has a thicker balancer, aluminum intake and a bigger cam. Notice the manual brakes as well. Its an interesting car in that Olds was the only GM brand that ran a truly hotter small block in the A-Body at that time.
W-31
A Cutlass w/350 CID performance option, not a 442 option.
Technically, the W-31 was only built in 1969 and 1970. While not called a W-31, the equivalent vehicle was available and called the "Ram Rod 350" in 1968. All W-31's came with manual brakes only, due to the 308° duration cams (e.g. not enough vacuum to operater power brakes). But it's not hard to add a booster, though. You just need a reliable vacuum source. Authentication:
Along with more from here: http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofwmc.htm
Technically, the W-31 was only built in 1969 and 1970. While not called a W-31, the equivalent vehicle was available and called the "Ram Rod 350" in 1968. All W-31's came with manual brakes only, due to the 308° duration cams (e.g. not enough vacuum to operater power brakes). But it's not hard to add a booster, though. You just need a reliable vacuum source. Authentication:
Special dual snorkle air cleaner with chrome lid. Inner fenders have special holes in them for air induction system, along with brackets on the inner fenders for the hoses and scoops. Inner fender wells are black, not red; red is incorrect for a W-31.
One of the ways that you can help 'identify' a W-31 is that they used a lot less sound deadening material to save some weight. Close the trunk lid. If it sounds nice and solid and tight, that isn't a good sign. But it MAY have been replaced, so this is not a guarantee. If it sounds hollow, like you're clanging an empty steel trash can, then this will signify a W-trunk lid. Also, the firewall pad, if it is original, is very thin compared to non-Ws.
Exclusive to the W-31 was a special bend in the fuel line near the fuel pump. It's WHERE the bend occurs that determines the W-31. The W-31's have the bend clamped to the frame after the plate that is welded between the channels of the frame, whereas non-W-31's have the bend clamped to the frame on that plate.
W-31 balancers are HUGE compared to regular 350 and 455 balancers. Resembles a steel version of a "F-60 x 15" tire. In other words, that sucker is HUGE! Very thick. Don't ask me why - they just are.
The car should have front AND rear sway bars with boxed lower rear control arms like the 4-4-2.
If the car is an auto, the code on the tranny is JO.
W-31's used standard 350 exhaust manifolds with the block off plate.
Sport mirrors. Built only in Lansing (should have that plant code in VIN).
1970:
Authentication:The W-25 OAI fiberglass hood was standard.
Helen Early has confirmed about a dozen W-31 Rallye 350's were made. So they are out there.
Details:
Engines were "select-fit" assembled. Cylinder bores are honed to the "D" spec. and use "A" pistons resulting in a larger skirt clearance of .003" - .0035".
10.5 comp. ratio (flat top pistons).
#6 heads fitted with 2" intake valves and 1.625" exhausts.
Camshaft was 308 degree duration and .474" lift.
Matching heavy duty valve springs.
Special recalibrated Q-Jet carb.
Larger harmonic balancer.
Aluminum intake.
A 6 blade fan with a fan clutch was used.
All were Force-Air inducted.
No special W-31 coded distributor. Used that year's standard 350 4bbl distributor, 1111975.
Exhaust manifolds were the same as the standard 350. But BOTH exhaust pipes and mufflers were 2 1/4" inlets (2" outlet).
Transmissions:
If it is an automatic, a "JO" coded TH-350 tranny was used.
Details:
I have been researching the available of an auto in the 69 W-31 and been looking at pretty much the same documentation as others. Some sources say it isn't available, some say it is. But from what I can tell it definitely was available in 1969. The code on my '69 W-31's tranny is JO and it has a 69 build date. A couple places I checked for this tranny code don't list JO in 69, but in 70 it is the correct code for an auto W-31. The only thing I haven't verified is if the numbers match the vin.
And now from an
Oldsmobile Bulletin Marketing DepartmentNew Car MerchandisingSubject 1969 Option W30 and W31 Force-Air Induction SystemsNumber N/C 68-17Date October 10, 1968This document explains the W options and on page 2 lists option M38, Turbo 350 has been added to the choice of W31 transmissions. "The three-speed automatic transmission is specifically calibrated to match the high output of the W31 engine."
It also has an availablilty option chart and a sample order form. And the final interesting piece and I quote "First factory shipment of units ordered with W30 and W31 will be during the latter part of the week beginning October 28." So there you have it, not only the letter but a date as well. It would be interesting to see build dates for ALL 69 W-Machines as this would (seem to) clearly indicate that all W30 and W31 better have a build date in Sept? at the earliest. This also explains why the shop manual, printed in Sept, does not reference an auto W-31.
One of the ways that you can help 'identify' a W-31 is that they used a lot less sound deadening material to save some weight. Close the trunk lid. If it sounds nice and solid and tight, that isn't a good sign. But it MAY have been replaced, so this is not a guarantee. If it sounds hollow, like you're clanging an empty steel trash can, then this will signify a W-trunk lid. Also, the firewall pad, if it is original, is very thin compared to non-Ws.
Exclusive to the W-31 was a special bend in the fuel line near the fuel pump. It's WHERE the bend occurs that determines the W-31. The W-31's have the bend clamped to the frame after the plate that is welded between the channels of the frame, whereas non-W-31's have the bend clamped to the frame on that plate.
W-31 balancers are HUGE compared to regular 350 and 455 balancers. Resembles a steel version of a "F-60 x 15" tire. In other words, that sucker is HUGE! Very thick. Don't ask me why - they just are.
The car should have front AND rear sway bars with boxed lower rear control arms like the 4-4-2.
If the car is an auto, the code on the tranny is JO.
W-31's used standard 350 exhaust manifolds with the block off plate.
Sport mirrors. Built only in Lansing (should have that plant code in VIN).
1970:
Authentication:
- The ram air (OAI) hood is only correct for 1970 W-31's.
- Special carb number 7040255.
Helen Early has confirmed about a dozen W-31 Rallye 350's were made. So they are out there.
1,352 were sold. 207 F-85 club coupe 116 Cutlass club coupe 1029 Cutlass hardtop coupe
Engine Specs: Details:
Engines were "select-fit" assembled. Cylinder bores are honed to the "D" spec. and use "A" pistons resulting in a larger skirt clearance of .003" - .0035".
10.5 comp. ratio (flat top pistons).
#6 heads fitted with 2" intake valves and 1.625" exhausts.
Camshaft was 308 degree duration and .474" lift.
Matching heavy duty valve springs.
Special recalibrated Q-Jet carb.
Larger harmonic balancer.
Aluminum intake.
A 6 blade fan with a fan clutch was used.
All were Force-Air inducted.
No special W-31 coded distributor. Used that year's standard 350 4bbl distributor, 1111975.
Exhaust manifolds were the same as the standard 350. But BOTH exhaust pipes and mufflers were 2 1/4" inlets (2" outlet).
Transmissions:
If it is an automatic, a "JO" coded TH-350 tranny was used.
Details:
I have been researching the available of an auto in the 69 W-31 and been looking at pretty much the same documentation as others. Some sources say it isn't available, some say it is. But from what I can tell it definitely was available in 1969. The code on my '69 W-31's tranny is JO and it has a 69 build date. A couple places I checked for this tranny code don't list JO in 69, but in 70 it is the correct code for an auto W-31. The only thing I haven't verified is if the numbers match the vin.
And now from an
Oldsmobile Bulletin Marketing DepartmentNew Car MerchandisingSubject 1969 Option W30 and W31 Force-Air Induction SystemsNumber N/C 68-17Date October 10, 1968This document explains the W options and on page 2 lists option M38, Turbo 350 has been added to the choice of W31 transmissions. "The three-speed automatic transmission is specifically calibrated to match the high output of the W31 engine."
It also has an availablilty option chart and a sample order form. And the final interesting piece and I quote "First factory shipment of units ordered with W30 and W31 will be during the latter part of the week beginning October 28." So there you have it, not only the letter but a date as well. It would be interesting to see build dates for ALL 69 W-Machines as this would (seem to) clearly indicate that all W30 and W31 better have a build date in Sept? at the earliest. This also explains why the shop manual, printed in Sept, does not reference an auto W-31.
Last edited by OldMechanik; Jun 20, 2012 at 07:20 PM.
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