70 SX Identification

For 1970 SX - is the Y79 option stamped in the Cowl Tag to ID a 70 SX?

 

no sir the y79 option code is on the build sheet or window sticker only, thats the only 100% garenteed way 2 tell if its a sx or not but there are a couple of other ways 2 check

if its a w32 sx455 and it has the original aluminum intake and the original og numbers matching trans than you can pretty much garentee its a sx455 w32

if you have old pics of it from the 70's or 80's with the sx emblem on it like i do than you can garentee its a sx

ive read a few places that all L31 4barrel cutlass were sx455's from what ive read they did not make a L31 4 barrel plain cutlass in late 70's, the plain cutlass's in late 70 came in 2 barrel, im not 100% on this but ive read it 3-4 times if its correct and you have a late 70 built cutlass with a 455, original 4 barrel, and 4 barrel carb than most likly its a sx455!!

there are also fender braces on hard tops

i hope this helps a little

 

I thought only the W-30 455 got the Aluminum intake. Supposedly the W-32 455 was just the standard 442 motor. From www.oldsmobilewiki.com :
"The W-32 used the same exact motor that the assembly-line workers were installing on the 442's produced at the same plant: big valves, lopier cam, richer carb, 365hp rating, etc. This W-32 option also included the 442's TH400 transmission, with its firmer shifts."

 

Uh, no, not on a W32. The W32 was the "regular" 442 455 with the iron intake.

No, the OG trans is the M40 Turbo 400 that was available with the L33 other than with the SX option.


Yes, the L31 replaced the L33 and that conclusion is correct. In fact, after the L33 was dropped there was not a 2-bbl 455 available.

 

Not just hardtops (Holiday Coupes), but also the post cars (Sports Coupes). Convertibles did not have the fender braces.

Also, it should have the small diagonal frame braces connecting the front attaching points of the upper and lower rear control arms.

Of course, it's easy to add either type of these braces, so it really doesn't prove anything. But it helps build a circumstantial case, if the car's not restored.

(I'm going by memory here; someone please correct me if I got it wrong.)

 

No, the OG trans is the M40 Turbo 400 that was available with the L33 other than with the SX option.

my mistake i did not know they put OG transmissions in regular cutlass's i thought they used only OD trans, with sx455's the OG transmission came only in w32's if a sx455 has a OG numbers matchn transmission than its a w32!!! OD transmissions came in all other 70 sx455s

and ive seen w32's with stock aluminum intakes, i thought all w32's came wit them but i could be wrong, im about 2 search 4 the info

 

does the block stamping match the VIN? the stamp size is unique but that too can be altered

 

There is no factory documentation to prove that the factory installed aluminum intakes on W32 SX cars, in fact, all the documentation is to the contrary. It's very easy to bolt an aluminum intake onto any Olds motor. Proving that the factory put it there is quite a different problem. I've seen lots of convertibles and Supreme hardtops with the wing on the trunk, but again, the factory never put them there.

 

YOU ARE 100% RIGHT!!!! ive searched and searched and ive found w32's that say with stock aluminum intake BUT all the factory articles say it came with a regular intake, this info sorda messes up the hole reason i wanted a sx455 w32!! i thought they all came with aluminum intakes/og trans, now i find out only different internals and a og trans thats not much difference!!

 

It's not just "factory articles" that make no mention of aluminum intakes on the W-32. The 1970 engine assembly manual, which includes the parts lists detailing every part number installed on every engine type, shows that the only big blocks to receive the aluminum intake manifold were the TT and TS codes, ie the W-30s, automatic and manual.