I have a 1972 cutlass said to be an original 442 with the 350 Rocket motor which I’m told it could be a true 442 cause they did have a 350 option in 72’ only but anyhow yesterday I was working on the console duel gate hurst shifter and and broke the gearshift cable and have been trying to figure out how to fix it does anyone know how to fix this cable? Detailed pics or description? Also, what the best place to find a replacement

 

I’m afraid I can’t help you with the cable but if there is a problem with the shifter, you might check with Hurst. I read something a while back (not on this site) about someone who had a problem with one in the last few years and Hurst fixed it or replaced it at no charge. They specifically commented on how amazed they were that the warranty was honored 50 years after it was produced. Maybe that includes the cable too if it was specific to the Hurst shifter?

 

Pictures of the car would be great to see, too! Always like to know of other 72s.

And as far as a replacement cable goes you might check Fusick, Year One, Ron’s Classic Cutlass, or other vintage sites for Olds parts. Ron’s has used parts as well as some NOS items.

 

Regarding your car it sounds like you aren’t positive about it being a 442. It’s not a guarantee but if you look at the spacing of the numbers on both fenders and the trunk lid, they should look like the pic below from my car with original panels. The 4’s are very close together and the middle 4 and the 2 are further apart. The spacing is very precise and difficult to duplicate without a template. If panels had to be replaced due to deterioration or accident, then it’s a good possibility the numbers could be off a little.

 

And yes, a 350 was available in the 72 442.

 

Inline tube has a replacement cable.

https://www.inlinetube.com/products/inl14982

 

No way to authenticate a '72 W-29 absent documentation or W-30 (X-code) option.

 

If it has chrome rocker trim then it probably was not originally a 442, as w29 cars did not get that trim.

 

442 symbols on fenders

Interior

Left front

Right front

Front

Drivers side

Drivers side

Grill

350 Rocket motor

350 Rocket motor

350 Rocket motor


the car had been sitting in storage for the past 30+ years and it ran and drove up until this past Wednesday when the shifter cable broke when I was trying to remove the Hurst dual gate shifter that broke.

 

No rocker trim is good. Also that is the correct hood for a 72 442. A Cutlass Supreme convertible would have a hood with out the chrome louvres, and it would not have the Oldsmobile script as that would be on the grill. Dual gate shifter, SSIII wheels, sport mirrors, no power brakes or AC. Maybe special ordered for racing? Is it a 4 barrel carb? If the fifth digit in the vin is a M it would be the dual exhaust 4 barrel and it should have the back bumper with exhaust cut outs. All signs point to being an authentic w29 but as said no way to prove without paperwork.

 

Looking good on it being the real McCoy.

This may help on cable.

https://www.fusickautomotiveproducts...?number=407409

 

5th digit in the vin is a M and and is a 4 barrel carb, I can take more pics of the interior as well

 

Any ideal how to install the new cable?

 

Man, it looks like you e got a really great car there. Like bangscreech4-4-2 said, only paperwork can confirm. But the number spacing looks right on and they are perfectly aligned, the age/patina on the numbers, grilles, etc looks consistent with the rest of the car, and it looks like the numbers have been on the car long enough to have a good bit of wax//buildup (whatever it is) over a long period of time. And if it has been stored since around 93, I don’t think a lot of people were turning Cutlasses into 442s back then (maybe a few though?). Boxed lower control arms on the rear were also part of the suspension package on the 442 (I believe that applies to the 350 442s like it does the 455s)..

Not to dispute 4speed455 because I’m not an expert but just for the sake of trying to confirm for myself, my understanding is the rear bumper with cutouts was only standard on 72 442s with a 455 but was optional on a 72 442 with a 350. If yours has it, great! If not, I could easily be wrong and maybe it got replaced from an accident or something. I have a 72 brochure but it may not tell me there. I’ll check.

It’s a great car and looks very complete! What kind of plans do you have for it?

 

A couple of minor after afterthoughts. Unless it was different for a supreme with the 442 package, I believe the back of the rearview mirror (looking through the windshield) and the headlight bezels were black for 72 442s. Just in case you are looking at a correct, full restoration. The grille colors and where the colors are applied are correct for 72

 

I’m no expert either, and now that I think about it I think you may be correct. I was thinking w29 with dual exhaust should have the cutout but I think that only applies to big block cars in 72

 

Agree on the headlight surround chrome for a 72. It should be partially blacked out. Easy fix though.

Headlight Bezels, 1972 Cutlass, 442 & Hurst/Olds, pair

 

Yea mine doesn’t have the cutouts for the dual exhaust

 

I plan to restore it to its former glory I have two boys 8 and 7 and this was the first car I ever owned( not exact car but year and model also not a 442 either, but we’re going to take our time and rebuild it back to original

 

Sounds like a great plan! Wish I had the time, know-how and money. 😄

I’m going to PM you with some stuff that may help with the cable install. I’m not sure how helpful it may be.

 

TwiceOwned is correct, the 350 optioned W29 cars did not have the cut-out bumpers in 72. Seems like a lot of the people that attempt to clone 72's into 442's miss a few details, one of which is leaving the rocker molding in place. Your car looks to be in pretty decent shape and blaze orange is such a cool color at dusk when the sun is going down. I had a 72 Supreme hardtop in that color with pearl white interior and it always got a lot of compliments.The paint seemed to take on a different look pending on the lighting and time of day/night. Best of luck with it.

 

It’s in pretty decent condition considering it’s been sitting for so long but engine runs strong, transmission shifts as it should. A few rust spots to sheet metal but overall it’s a solid car. Thanks to all of helping to identify I appreciate all the help

 

As noted, the 1972 headlight surrounds should be blacked out, but these are also on the wrong sides of the car. The deep section goes towards the grille, not towards the fender. Due to the headlight adjuster notches, you can't just flip them, you have to swap them side-for-side. This is kinda like the valve cover notches. I have no idea why everyone seems to get this wrong.

 

Have you looked under the back seat for the build sheet?

 

I haven’t actually but now that you mention that I definitely will!

 

Good luck! That’s where I hear they typically are but who knows. I actually need to check for mine, too.

 

The notches are supposed to be on top and outboard, so the surrounds are upside down but on the correct sides. They should indeed be black around the headlights though. The grills do have the correct paint scheme for 72. The grill surround moldings are also correct for 72.

 

If I it happens to be stuck to the underside you might take pictures as best you can before you try to peel it off.

 

Any updates on getting a shifter cable back in your car?

 

Yes! I got the shift cable installed those instructions you sent me really came in handy 😎 , only issue I'm having with it now is when I go to put the vehicle in park it won't let me remove the key from the ignition right away, having to wait 30min or so just to remove it, kinda like its not all the way in the park position so I'm thinking maybe I need to figure out a way to adjust the cable to the right position. It did feel good to drive it around my neighborhood once I got it installed..

Now that's done its time to start working on the motor and getting it cleaned up and rebuilt. I think I'll start there then pull the vehicle off the frame and take a look at it and make sure the frame is in good shape all the way around and not rusted out

 

That’s great progress! Good luck on continuing the work on it! You may have noticed (I just looked back and noticed them myself) but what I sent has some details about adjusting it on the right side of figure 7-6-43 “console shift cable”. Hopefully it’s fairly clear. Let me know if I can resend anything.

 

If the car shifts in and out of gear correctly the key problem is likely adjustment of the backdrive linkage between the trans and the steering column.

 

Loosen the back drive set bolt and rotate the collar to remove the key.
You may need to persuade the back drive to get it to move.

 

So I found my build sheet, was under the passenger side carpet of course it’s not in the best shape but does prove that it’s a original W-29 car which is awesome, anybody know how to decode these?