I'm new to the forum also. Just picked-up my 70 442 in Green, Iowa. Drove up from Texas a couple weekends ago. I've already learned a lot from this site just after reading for a few days.

 

Welcome to the site from another Texan. I gave you your very own thread to introduce yourself. Post a few pictures when you get a chance.

 

Welcome to the forums. Post some pics when you get a chance.

 

Welcome. There is allot of great folks on here. I have several Olds cars and our next project after our 67 442 is a 70 442. Post some pictures we are all always happy to see them.

Larry

 

Welcome to the house of answers. Seek and ye shall find.

 

Here are photos that the seller took of the car. I have yet to do any, too busy working on it and driving it!

Test question: It is verified as a 1970 442 by the VIN and cowl tag but it has had a front end wreck of some kind and they installed some 71 fenders which I was aware of when I got it. The front grill is not from a 70 442, possibly a 69 Cutlass?

 

It looks like they put a 71/72 front end on the car along with the corresponding hood. My guess would be that they got the entire front end from a donor car after the wreck.

 

Another thing.....whenever I see an an OAI hood that is above the fenders towards the back of it I have the feeling that it is an aftermarket all fiberglass hood that they didn't pit lighter springs on. That WILL end up damaging the hood because it is putting too much pressure on it. The factory OAI hoods (and the good Thornton ones) have a steel frame that allows the use of the same springs without damage to the hood.

 

I verified that it has Posi-Traction, not sure of the gear ratio yet. Do I need to use the special GM additive for the diff. oil or will modern type differential oils suffice?
What vendor carries dash parts, specifically the vent louvers and the the swing-up door for the ash tray? Have not found those yet.
The cars sits high in the front, probably because it is a factory AC car with the compressor/lines/condensor removed and it has a much lighter Edelbrock intake. Do you think the non-AC front springs is the way to go? Eventually I will put in a Vintage Air AC system.

 

It is likely an aftermarket hood. The lift springs are new or newish. Not sure of the rating but I will look into it.

 

That little bit of weight wouldn't make it sit high.
Getting a fluid that is designed for limited slip is fine, you wouldn't need the additive then.

 

My first thought was the weight change was negligible but the difference in the intake manifolds is 40 pounds according to one guy who measured (this is the actual weight loss). Then remove the boat anchor AC comp and a few pounds of this and that, it does add up.

 

I know. My car came with A/C and a STD hood, but the front end sat just fine. I had a couple of different engines in there as well with different intakes, headers and exhaust manifold combinations and my car never sat high. My A/C had been removed from the firewall connections forward as well.

 

its possible vista springs were added sometime in its life or possible aftermarket big block springs for a chevelle or other a-body with the much heavier big blocks. A big block olds is actually quite lighter than say, a 396 or 454. Getting lighter springs for your hood would be a good idea since it looks like the hood is sitting low on the front and rear ends but being tweaked pretty hard upwards in the middle ahead of the hinge. Nice olds though and probably a blast to drive

 

Thanks for the response. I was going to look into OEM springs for the suspension and the proper springs for the hood lift with the Ram Air hood.

Lots of fun to drive, have not actually driven a muscle car in ages, longer than I care to admit. Puts a smile on my face.

 

I would take the springs off the car for now so you don't damage the hood.

 

a member here(dads72) was looking for those grilles a short time ago

 

The hood springs and hinge are new and I suspect the springs are the correct rating now. In other words, too late. I will remove them, but got to get the car inspected today first.
Then I will look into getting to hood to relax.

 

its probably the foam seal at the back of the hood keeping it raised very common w the aftermarket seal not enough flex.

 

Welcome, very helpful folks here. Nice ride

 

Thanks a bunch. I get a lot of compliments, people just like these old muscle cars.

 

My hood is lifted like that on the driver's side. Its all original, but hood has been taken off to pull the motor. Do you think spring pressure is my problem too? Is there a way to adjust springs? Thanks.

 

Your issue is either a misaligned or worn out hinge.
With his hood he has an aftermarket all fiberglass hood that can't take the pressure from the springs that are designed for a heavy steel hood, so it is actually bowing up in the middle from the pressure.

 

Cool, thanks. This site is so informative, love it!