Just found a real w-31 350 ci ram rod numbers matching convertible 4speed car lansing mich built one of 26 conv built. I am a restoration shop owner of 32 yrs I know how to do a resto what I don't know is were to find a few of the things it needs.The original intake,carb,air clear (duct work) is missing but otherwise the car is a legit numbers matching car...If anybody has a line on parts reach out please I might even sell it I really don't have time to do a another car for myself...Tim -630-235-3229...thank you

 

Welcome to CO, you came to the right place for this project. PLEASE post pics of your find, because if its real it is one of the holy grails of Oldsmobiles. Most everything you need is available, even the OAI system. The hardest part to find is the harmonic balancer that is unique to the W31 engines. If the car still has that, you are miles ahead.

 

It has the balancer....I will post some pics later..

 

 

Did you get any documentation with it?

 

Interesting, i'm guessing somewhere down the line someone felt it wasn't getting enough respect and they threw the 442 badge on for good measure ?

 

No sir I asked but know can do...

 

What makes you think its a W31?

 

Its my understanding that for 1969 the intake manifold on a w31 is no different than the intake on my Supreme ? So is there an aftermarket on or nothing at all ?

The carburetor missing is bad news because its presence is one of the identifiers to authenticity.

 

wow, someone has messed with that one. decals in wrong spot. lots of rear suspension mods. wrong rims. electric fuel pump or something bolted to the frame. I'll skip the trumpets for now ... so, I'm not sure I see anything confirming it's a W-31. Some engine shots _may_ help. rather hard to document 68 and 69 W-30/W-31/W-32. fisher body broadcast card is of no help. as of now, I have to agree with a prior question, what makes you think it's a W-31?

 

NOS air cleaner on Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-NOS-OL...AAAOSwqohep4m9

 

sNo offense
sir its the real deal im not on here to start trouble but im in the business im not a novice its a numbers matching car.I was inquiring about parts that's all I know how to look at numbers, decipher numbers , what to look for its the real McCoy not some clone.Yes it was raced im sure but the car is original , motor,trans,rear end, yes someone put a electric pump on it, and its missing the intake, carb,exhaust mainfolds, air cleaner but otherwise its a numbers matching car only 26 of them made I do my diligence before I buy stuff..Im going to lay low for now and see what happens if I decide to restore it which is what I do for a living I will be looking for NOS parts..

 

Timothy a 4 speed 1969 Cutlass coupe convertible is a nice model in its own right if the numbers are matching. But 336 just means it was born a V8 Cutlass. W31s must be verified by additional means.

 

Tim

Just about every week someone joins who has a 442 supreme, or w30 or w31 etc. Many times these claims are based on misinformation provided to the new owner. These guys want to help, many can help you verify what you have and additionally many people on here will be a great resource for parts you may need. We're all just curious about your new car thats all

 

I mean know disrespect to anybody on here but this isn’t my first rodeo all I was inquiring about was if there were parts available for this car or not. Not trying to give anybody my resume or anything but I’ve been in the business for almost 40 years I specialize in first GEN Camaro I’m not up on what is hot or not of the Oldsmobile world. I do know how to read numbers decipher numbers etc. this is a numbers matching real W 31 the casting number ,the heads ,the pad on the lf front of motor below the exhaust port all match the Vin on the dash all the numbers I’ve looked at on the car which I’m not going to put pictures up state that the car is the real McCoy so people on here that wanna believe it’s a phony or clone that’s their opinion that’s their prerogative all’s I want to know is there parts available like a carburetor and intake manifold exhaust manifold and the air cleaner set up?.. below the exhaust port all match the Vin on the dash all the numbers I’ve looked at on the car which I’m not going to put pictures up state that the car is the real McCoy so people on here can think what they want I have many contacts in the restoration world especially for Chevy parts . If the casting number , the cylinder head code , and the vin numbers didn’t match I would have never bought the car I know what it is know need to say anything else about it. Whether I keep it or sell it I’m not going to argue with Monday morning quarterbacks anymore one of the biggest reason I hate selling **** on the Internet because one simple question turns into a National inquiry by to be honest some people that dont know **** from apple butter.Good luck with your forums ..

 

Ok welcome yes all parts are available.

 

You have numbers that show that the drivetrain is matching, nothing to prove that it is a W31. Number 5 heads were used on ALL 350 Oldsmobiles whether a W31 or grandma's four door 2bbl equipped snoozer. Are parts available for this car, yes. Make a list of what you need, and others will respond.

 

And good luck to you with your phony W-31 (with 4-4-2 badging and grille). With your attitude you're gonna need it.

 

I have been following this car for several years and helping another potential buyer understand the W31 specifics so he could decide whether to buy it or not.

Welcome to the group.

Ryan W31

 

. You know chevy's, we know Oldsmobiles.

 

The guy comes on here trying to get some help and several people treated him like crap. Nice welcome. He didn't develop an attitude until he was insulted.

 

He wasn't insulted, he made some claims and was asked some reasonable questions.

 

To be fair, if the engine is still wearing the big balancer..........and wasn't the distributor number unique to the W31? IF this car has those two parts (despite the possibility that they could've been swapped in to a plain 'ol Cutlass..........which I think is unlikely even if someone was attempting to make a clone out of it), it might be convincing enough, no?

If the #5 were pulled and they had the larger valves, would that be convincing?

Does it have holes in the wheel wells for the OAI? Washer bottle on the PS? Sure, the 442 tooth on the hood and trumpets don't belong, but those are simple cosmetic "upgrades" that alot of people have done. SSM lift bars in the back are not a surprising upgrade. For that matter, what constitutes "acceptable proof" for a '68-'69 W31 (vert or otherwise)?

I guess what I'm getting at, the obvious mods (trumpets, wheels, 442 tooth / hood, mis-placed decals) and a few missing parts (OAI, carb) don't prove it is NOT a W31. But if the car has most of the other unique characteristics of a W31 (big balancer, distributor, holes in the wheel wells, washer bottle on the PS, large valves in the #5s, etc), would that be convincing?

 

Johnny, if car had those clues, it would help. The distributor is the same as used on other 350 4bbl cars as well. This car has shown up before in this condition with the same claim, but never any proof.

 

If he just wants parts, then he should post in the parts wanted sections. People are trying to help him authenticate his claim and he gets pissy. We all know that what he has posted means nothing in identifying a W31

 

100% this. Dude was asked why he thought it was a W-31 and then the car itself was critiqued (not the owner). Dude then got really hot and left, which
means he either realized he got taken and he doesn't want to hear anymore, or he is planning to clone this into a W-31 and doesn't want the publicity now
so he can pass it off later. I'm thinking it's the latter as those pictures show nothing for authentication or identification purposes. I bet he was looking
to find w-31 goodies on the DL and make the clone.

 

I see you're in Oswego. You have two of the most knowledgeable W-Machine resources in your backyard in Downers Grove and Naperville. If you're interested in helping verify the car, beyond what you said you researched, feel free to reach out. As you've referenced, the Oldsmobile W-car is a different breed than a Camaro or Chevelle, and you’re overlooking a few things.

Btw, what’s the name of your restoration shop?

 

Wow, just wow. After reading this whole thread it's like a novella. Basically, he started with a shot across the bow saying it is a w31 while leaving out the juicy details. He got a few shots back as to what he needs to prove it's worth. Plain and simple.
I am still left with the fact that a 4 speed convertible is actually a nice car and with the cost of restoration, should be worth some coin. As a non restored car, I had a chance to get a 69 4 speed 'vert for $4,500 in 1999. That was an unmolested car, this one was, shall we say "Taken around the block." Do the math.

 

In any case:
https://autopainttechniques.com/about-us/

 

Mr. Wonderful Motorsports

https://www.google.com/maps/place/47...!4d-88.3070246

 

Some people got where I was going. Some even said the obvious. and a few response, I really like.

anyway, I'll sit back and see what comes of this. It's just as easy to prove it is a W-31 as it is to prove it isn't


Mr. Wonderful Motorsports, I've heard of them. thx

 

Used car lot? Thats reassuring

 

WTHIRTY1 was asking for the name of the restoration shop & I was looking it up at that time based upon Tim's name. I have nothing against a used car lot. Since I'm originally from the Fox River Valley area (Elgin, St. Charles, Batavia, Oswego, Aurora, etc.) and I used to attend some races at the old Oswego Drag Strip in the late 60s/early 70s, I had a little more interest in pursuing - no biggie. We may or we may not see Tim again. I cannot hold ground w/ anyone on here regarding authentication of a W-31 (that I know w/ 100% confidence) & I''m not going to be embroiled in who said, he said. I was just looking up stuff. He does sound like he is a person of conviction (whether he's correct or incorrect) about things and he apparently has succeeded. He'll get it all figured out I hope.

 

Aw SNAP! I didn't realize this car has a history here. And my big mouth might have given him some pieces of a clone recipe.

 

This why I don't let people talk down to me you know absolutely NOTHING about me !!!!Nothing ......you think because I have a car lot I don't sell other cars?..I have a body shop I have a mechanic shop, a towing company , along with a muscle car store.I have been a painter for 40 $ucking years I have nothing to prove to any of you clowns ...You guys are the ones that right start throwing around your high and mighty authority like nobody else in the world could find a car like this except you few imortal experts?..Ha HA I haven't never seen so much arrogance on the part of people (the so called experts) half of them that don't know jack **** especially about me personally or my business .I don't give a rats *** what any of you guys think of me the things I have read , asked about , all come back to its a real car if its not I will be the first one to say " hey I was wrong"..Its not the first time that's happened and wont be the last but I will be dammed if some clown hiding behind a keyboard that doesn't own anything and has never met me is going to tell me im wrong without showing me the prove why im wrong?.Some of you need to check your ego's because your not all that !.If and when I truly know what the car is a promise I will come on this very site and tell all of you experts you where right and I was wrong I promise you that but what happens if im right?...If I am im going blow up this $%&#ing board you can bet your *** on that......

 

Thank you sir ...theres an awful lot of arrogance on here but im a big boy I can handle it ….

 

Well, that was pretty intense.

 

 

 

It's the high-compression head maybe, they can get hot.