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I have a black '66 442, parchment interior, buckets, console, auto, PS/PB, factory 3.23 gears (now 4.33's)
I've owned it since '83 & my grandfather had owned it since '67.
My father & I repainted it in '83.
It took a lot of work & a year to get it cleaned up, but turned out to be a unique vehicle, especially when my friends were all getting late 70's Camaro's to drive.
It was my first car & coincidentally we are the same age.
I rebuilt the engine in '88 after a problem with my right foot caused a rod bearing issue.
It has been in storage for quite a while (8 years, but actually seems like a lot less, when you get involved in other projects
I'm now getting it ready for nice weather to put some miles on it... time to enjoy it instead of seeing it all covered up.
I re-did the brakes/wheel cylinders & converted to silicone brake fluid, last weekend.
New water pump is on the way, since it has developed a drip.
Also have a new set of rear coils on the way as the rear is sitting a little low for my tastes.
My other Olds is a 64 Starfire Convertible, which my Dad bought in '82.
It is basically original other than a repaint in '84.
Stripped to bare metal & finished in 14 coats of Lacquer, which I vividly remember working on for months after school & on weekends.
It was in storage, next to my 442, so it's now also ready to get some attention.
It got new wheel cylinders & converted to silicone brake fluid this past week, as well.
It also decided to start puking power steering fluid out of the box, so a rebuild kit should be here tomorrow to solve this issue.
Nothing leaked until I parked it on my new concrete floor... Murphy's Law I guess???
Both are running well & got a serious cleaning/waxing.
One of the best things I've done is store them with AV gas in the tank, instead of pump fuel.
After years of sitting, it does not smell or get dark, & there is no gummy varnish residue anywhere.
Any way... I hope to meet some people with a common interest & learn a little more about my hobby.
I'm sure I'll be posting some questions/build threads soon.
Last edited by Lonnies Performance; January 1st, 2019 at 10:35 AM.
Welcome to the Forum - nice cars. I'm from South Hills and have had a healthy Olds obsession for 30 years. There's a lot of great info to be gained from members on this site.
Terry
I referred to some of your earlier replies concerning coil spring choices.
Originally Posted by vette442
Welcome to the Forum - nice cars. I'm from South Hills and have had a healthy Olds obsession for 30 years. There's a lot of great info to be gained from members on this site.
Terry
I work in McMurray... small world.
Originally Posted by shiftbyear
Nice color combo on the 442.
The car was originally gold, but I have an obsession with black cars, so I changed colors.
I occasionally question my decision & do not know if I repainted the car, if I would change it back.
Last edited by Lonnies Performance; January 1st, 2019 at 04:05 PM.
Welcome and great looking Olds, I'm from the North Hills and the cruise nights now at the Victory Church Friday nights are the largest around,
this was the former Starlight Cruise that was the largest weekly cruise on the east coast, Still not a lot of Oldsmobiles attending, Get them out and
Drive them and enjoy!! Tim
Hi Terry, Yes it is , I was off this site and barely on ROP but have had a little time to get back to the Olds sites, I have everything still and hope to start a restoration on My Dads last Olds a 87 Supreme, going to be more of a Driver, How have you been?
Wow, nice combination of cars to have for nice weather days. Especially ones that have been in the family and passed down. I'm guessing that with the 4.33 gears, the '66 442 is the local cruiser. Always wondered why Oldsmobile did not continue with functional engine bay exhaust vents after the '64 Starfire, and went with only ornamental ones afterwards.
Yes, the 4.33's do make it somewhat unpleasant on the highway... like getting passed by nearly everything while running at 3500rpm. I actually considered swapping in a 200-4R or 700R4 to make it a better all around car.
I would not permanently alter anything, but do like the OD transmissions if you plan to drive them anywhere.
The factory 3.23's were not that impressive with a 2 speed auto.
Yes, the 4.33's do make it somewhat unpleasant on the highway... like getting passed by nearly everything while running at 3500rpm. I actually considered swapping in a 200-4R or 700R4 to make it a better all around car.
I would not permanently alter anything, but do like the OD transmissions if you plan to drive them anywhere.
The factory 3.23's were not that impressive with a 2 speed auto.
Maybe a compromise between the 3.23 & 4.33 ratios would be better then an overdrive transmission? Just a thought.
Cool, what year & specs on yours?
Mine is a '72 M818 tractor with Deuce bed.
For those not familiar with these trucks, its 24,000lb, 855ci Cummins, 5 speed, 2 speed transfer case, all wheel drive & gets about 5 mpg.
A better picture:
Originally Posted by anthonyP
Maybe a compromise between the 3.23 & 4.33 ratios would be better then an overdrive transmission? Just a thought.
The lack of first gear ratio still disappoints me on how the car launches... even with 4.33's.
I had a '70 Nova with 4.56's & a 700R4. Great for drag racing & could still take it on trips running 2500rpm @ 65mph.
I tried to get 3.90's but when I was building the car, no selection was available for the original rear.
Hi Lonnie . I'm on the Ohio border side of Pittsburgh. The Starfire is long gone sadly. But the W30 is currently undergoing a full restoration in FL. She too has 433s. Your comment about them being 'somewhat unpleasant ' couldn't be more true. lol. I took her down the pike once. ONCE. Never again. Nice cars you have there btw.
Glad to hear you still have your '70. Be sure to share some pictures when you get it back.
I've always been a big fan of all the Cutlass varieties, but the big cars grew on me as well.
My Dad had a 49, 56 & 58 Olds that I spent a lot of time around over the years.
I can appreciate all of them for their different styling cues & designs.
Yes, the 4.33's do make me drive it slow on the highway. Anymore going 65, you get passed like you are standing still.
I try to keep in under 3500rpm for any extended driving. I got spoiled driving small block Chevys that you could rev the snot out of.
Welcome from Georgia. Beautiful cars. Since you said you're the same age as the 67 I'm sure you've looked to see if you're actually the same age. Also love the big green. I only have an M35A2. Still bigger than anything else in the neighborhood.
January 1st, 2019, 10:32 AM
