Hi all, I am currently restoring a '68 Cutlass Supreme 4dr I have some questions some of which I feel stupid asking but I know all you helpful folks on here won't mind.

How do I know which trans is in it?

How do I know which rear end is in it?

I am in the process of removing the engine with the intention of reconditioning it does anyone have any recommendations what to do with it when it's out i.e. should I put a high lift cam in or new pistons, heads etc. As far as I know it's a stock 350 rocket with 2bbl carb.

Hopefully you guys can offer me some advice.

 

oh and also did they ever make a 4dr 442?

 

No, but YOU could .

- Eric

 

yes that's what I thought.

 

YES, the Pursuit Package was available on the 4-doors in 1965 only.

An easy way to determine what transmission is looking at the shape of the transmission pan. Most likely ST300/Jetaway (anyone have a pan picture?) or Turbo 350 (rectangle with one corner cut off), possibly Turbo 400 (shape of Texas).

Rear end ratio will be identified by a stamped code on the passenger side axle tube, either side, somewhere between the center chunk and the brake assembly. Use a wire brush to find it.

The '68 Rocket 350 is a good motor, you could have a very reliable and powerful motor merely by putting on a used factory 4-barrel intake with quadrajet, and dual exhuasts. Headers are also a good value. Add a HEI distributor from a junkyard, and you've got a good runner for low $.

Steve

 

Uh, wrong year listed, that should be 1964, in which 10 were reportedly built.

 

That was 442 equipment, not 442 trim.

It didn't say "442" on it.

- Eric

 

You are right, and I am wrong. Thanks for the fact check.
Steve

 

I've already been wrong once in this thread, but here goes...I think the 4-door '64 442's did have 442 emblems.
Steve

 

Well, maybe it's my turn to be wrong then.

Joe knows.

Hey, Joe! Are you out there?

- Eric

 

The '64 4dr 442's also had the 442 emblems on them from what i know, but the police pursuit pkg was available to law enforcement, and perhaps the general pubilc as well.(I know it was later on Delta's, just not sure about the early years to the public).

 

 

EZ way to tell your trans- if it says PRNDL it is a Jetaway, PRNDSL is a Turbo 400, but that was only available in Vista Cruiser and 442 in 1968 A-bodies. A Jetaway is not a Chevy PowerGlide by another name- it is a very different transmission.

There will be a two-character code stamped into the RH axle tube that ID's the gear ratio. It should be on the back side of the tube, but I've seen the things stamped all around it.

A 1968 Supreme should have a 4-barrel 350 with 10.25 compression, though the 2-barrel 9:1 CR was optional.

 

Doesn't prove it had the emblems, but it's close enough for me.

I retract my earlier statement.

- Eric

 

The 1964 more-door 442s did have emblems. The bigger question is, how many B09 police cars were built with exactly the same equipment and WITHOUT emblems?

As for the 1968 in the OP, the only automatic available in that car would have been the ST300 (aka Jetaway) two speed. The TH400 was only available in the 442 and the Vista Cruiser that year (and I suspect the VC trans was really the lo-po TH375 version when used behind the 350 motor). Of course, the trans could have been swapped, but an original would have been the Jetaway.

 

Something a senior NCO told me when I joined the Navy - "It's not a stupid question if you don't know the answer".
What this forum is about surely, to help us all learn more about our cars.
Roger.

 

None of these questions were stupid, I think we all learned something. Welcome to the site and keep us updated on what you are doing with the car.

 

Thank you all for your help and advice. Doing a bit of bodywork on it this weekend then hopefully pulling engine and trans next week. Will post some pics soon.