Hi guys,
I am looking at a nice 1966 Cutlass convertible. I'm trying to figure out if it has the original engine. I read that there is no fast or definitive way to ascertain this unless you have the protect-o-plate or a copy of the build sheet. The car has neither. Stamped on the upper right bank is the number/letter sequence W105903G. The vin is 338676M264473. What else can I check to see if this is how the car came?
Thanks a bunch for any insights!
GP

 

Nothing. Without the P-O-P, there is no way to determine if the engine in a 1967-older Olds is original. Even if you do have the P-O-P, it only proves that one cylinder head is original. My 67 Delta is "numbers matching", despite the fact that it has a 455. The one head with the engine unit number is the only part on that motor that is original to the car. Don't lose a lot of sleep over this, and don't pay a premium either.

 

While you can't verify it is the original engine, you may be able to determine if it is not. Something other than a 330 engine (block casting # 389394) and #4 heads would point to a non-original engine.

 

Thanks guys,
I will check the casting number sequence given!
Geert

 

The "W" prefix indicates a 330 motor. The "G" suffix indicates high compression. All that proves is that the one head with that engine unit number stamp came from a high compression 330 motor. There is no way to know if it was born on that particular block. On the other hand, if the head gaskets are the OEM steel shim gaskets, chances are the heads have not been off the motor.

 

Joe,
Cool tip on the steel shim gaskets. I will check. From the looks of it, at least the engine is the correct type for this car, even if Olds is more difficult to determine originality than some of the other brands.
Geert