Coach6

Here goes #1 - I recently purchased a 1968 442 w/30. Some of you may have seen the car selling on e-bay a few months ago (red). The add claimed no paperwork existed, after lowering the gas tank in hopes of finding a build sheet, (which turned up nothing) I asked the guy if he checked the glove box! They said "NO", so I checked and found the owners manual and under it WAS the protec-o-plate in the Owners protection plan booklet w/validation punch cards - I know from reading some of the replies that still doesn't mean 100% w/30, but I'm ready to listen and search the car for any #'s or parts you tell me that might help prove one way or another if this is a w/30. Any help or suggestions would be great! Here's the codes on the Protect-o-plates - if anyone can decode this - that would be a great start I guess - I'll also put the VIN # Thanks again, looking forward to your responses.

9 5 0 - S 2

Q U 8 2 8 5 3 6 5 TM1

H F P 8 A 1 7 0 0 1 0 0

11-090
VIN# 344878M251530

GAOldsman

Welcome aboard
950 = Black themed interior with bench seat
S = Jade Gold Lower Body Color
2 = Black Top
QU = W30 High Compression 400 4bbl with Manual trans
8 = 1968
285365 = Engine Unit #

Way cool it is a W30
I'll post the rest in one sec

Coach6

Thanks GAOldsman! Great stuff already

GAOldsman

TM = 3.42:1 Rear Axle Ratio
1 = January 1968 Build Date Code
H F = 4-speed Close Ratio
P 8 A = Transmission Build Date P = Muncie Transmission Plant 8 = 8th day A = January
1 7 0 0 1 0 0 = Transmission Serial Number
11 - 090 = Dealer Code

VIN#
344 = 442
87 = 2 Door Hardtop Fastback Coupe
8 = 1968
M = Lansing, Mich Assembly Plant
251530 = Serial/Unit Number

GAOldsman

No problem glad to help Way cool car! Some of the plate decode is questionable on my part so at least for sure it is a W30!

GAOldsman

Okay I missed the Ebay listing, so you have to post up some pics of that bad boy

Jamesbo

x2

Coach6

Thanks for the help - no power steering and no cruise control
Could the number 11-090 be a dealer code on the protect o plate?
Car is from Indiana, I will be having it delivered Monday - it's been sitting at my Dad's house for the past 3 months. Pics will be coming - I'm the 3rd owner, the 2nd owner who thankfully kept it garaged and out of the Indiana weather since 1972 didn't like the green and had it painted in 1976 he also had the interior done as well, its pretty much unrestored w/ 71,700 - I'm going to try and get some pics when it was green.

GAOldsman

Yep I forgot about the dealer code

Coach6

I put a picture of the car on my profile page - sorry about the angle of the photo - I'll get more up soon. Not sure how to add the pictures to a message.

GAOldsman

Here it is flipped



As far as posting pics if you have them on a website such as photobucket, right click the image and click on copy image location. Next click on then right click in the window and click paste. Voila there it is on your post. Now if they are in a file on your computer first click "Go Advanced" then click "Manage Attachments" then click "Browse" then after locating pics in the file(s) click upload. Be aware of the size limits and types of files that can be successfully uploaded that are listed at the bottom. And after clicking "Upload" you have to wait until it tells you what you have in "Current Attachments" then click "Close This Window" at the bottom of the pop up window. Next be sure to "Preview Post" to be sure they loaded prior to submitting your reply.

cutlassgal

Welcome to our site!

wmachine

You can find all of this information in the 1968 Assembly Manual available free of charge at Wild About Cars. The POP decode is in Section "0", the first download.

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...aldisplayed=50

Wild About Cars. http://wildaboutcars.com. An information supersource, especially Oldsmobile. More Olds content than anywhere else on the internet and continuing to grow.
You'll find Chassis Service Manuals, Product Information Manuals (AKA Assembly Manuals), Inspector's Manuals, and other documents that will contain this and much much more.
Dealer Brochures, magazine ads and articles, and a home page for you online with your own garage where you can show off what you have.
Free to join, free to learn.

Coach6

thanks for the site info I have signed up - I have a question about the differential - if I'm reading the manual correct, did all w-30s have a 4:33 gear ratio? if so, what does the TM1 mean on the POP - and should I take these questions to another area on the site? Thanks

GAOldsman

TM = 3.42:1 Rear Axle Ratio
1 = January 1968 Build Date Code

wmachine

4.33 were std, with the 3.91 and 3.42 optional.

Chuck_66

Welcome to CO congratulations on the car it's very nice one piece that came on a w30 are the red plastic front wheel wells just open the hood if they are not red but are plastic look closer as some people paint them black. The standard 442 wheel wells are steel.

Coach6

Thanks Chuck_66, the wheel wells are the red plastic, however they don't look bright red, kinda has a dull/white look and feel to them. Here's another question - I have the name of the original owner from the POP, do I search them out and see if they want to share any pics/stories or is that not something people do?

Thanks again for the gear info. WMachine/GAoldsman

spiderjason

Welcome... Nice 442!!!!