If you have or know of a W27 Rear Axle for a '70 442 W30 that is available then please send me a PM. I'm on the hunt ideally for a SV (3.23) or SX (3.42) . Location is no barrier. Thanks in advance.

 

There is a 3.91 that is available but I don't know of a 3.42 or a 3.23. If it is not going to be original to the car just get the 3.91 and put 3.42 or 3.23 guts in it. As much as they cost what is another $1000 or less for parts to swap out the gears and carrier. You could likely find someone that is willing to trade the 3.91 guts for what you want. Only difference is the two digit stamp but who cars if it is not original to the car. Any W-27 is better than no W-27, lol

 

He's down under. Getting a complete axle the way he want's it would be much easier me thinks...

 

Thats correct I'm Down Under, but that's not a major barrier. My W30 had a W27 originally but in the late '70s had a transplant of a '68 12 bolt so whilst it would be nice to go back to original 3.23 I'm ok with changing the gearing later .

 

I recall seeing one advertised on here 2 weeks ago for $13,000

 

Yes there was one listed without a price and it sold. At that time I wasn't keen to spend another $1k to change the gearing but I've since realised you can't be too choosy in these situations.

 

Bump. Still on the hunt.

 

Here is one for sale cheaper than mine:

https://www.oldsmobilecentral.com/fo...-FairField.php

 

for above W27 ad

 

Good deal on a rare part. To bad the blasted the center as the color is forever changed

 

Thanks for the prompt on this one. I have touched base with him but also working on a couple of others. Just a pitty this one has been blasted. He did have a video on YouTube (now removed) of the axle before it was blasted. The housing was nice and the tubes in nice condition. The upside here is that its complete and has the original cover but it would have been nicer to source untouched.

 

That was my first thought. They can be blasted if the right pressure and media is used but you have to be careful. Looks like they used sand, lol. In time it will oxidize and look much better than it does now.

 

Wow still a few of these out there for sale. I rarely see these come up for sale.

Interesting though, it lately seems to me - if it is left untouched it is not in good enough condition, if it is cleaned up it is not a survivor. Sorry, just find it interesting how these rare cars and parts coming up for sale are just never in the correct condition.

 

Got to get them when you see them and in the condition they are in if you want one. It is just sad that people do all the wrong things to them thinking they are doing something good. After the "unknown to them" bad deed is done it is to late. Like an old antique motorcycle, nasty looking original paint is worth MANY times what a proper restored one is worth. They thought they did the right thing but to late.

 

In reality the only safe way to clean such a rare part is by hand that takes a lot of time as know, but the final results are remarkable.

 

I "kind of" understand what you both are saying but my rare rear end has been under my car for decades. So, to many it will be filthy and not cared for, to others it will be a survivor with patina and yet to others I should have it hanging in my living room. And yes with the internet there is plenty of information out there to help us know what to do but some of that is "opinion" and others are still learning. I would have never replaced my original Harrison radiator 20 years ago if I knew what I knew today.

 

I have been there myself. I parted a nearly rust free 70 442 4 speed car because it was missing the engine, lol. I cringe just thinking about it now.

 

I bought my 3.91 W-27 for $50 back in 1973 from a 4 spd W-30 with a blown motor. I passed on the motor as I only had a 1 car garage no where to put it with my 50 Olds Cp. in it. I did install it in my 64 Cutlass Post car and dragged raced for 12 yrs.. My second W-27 rear with 3.42 was in a 70 W-30 I bought with a 75 455 motor I sold that rear end for $500 back in the day. Yes a very rare rear end and should go back in the car it should have. But being from Lansing they very seldom put a build sheet in them. If I could back in time.