Rocketowner

On 1966 Cutlass can the transmission be identified by the cowl tag or Vin.# ? Thanks, Larry

Octania

not likely
If not a 442, isn't there only one trans, the Jetaway?
It should have a letter code on the round cover?
Chassis Service Manual should have all that good info.

Rocketowner

Thanks Octania, according to the vin it is a 442, and I'm told that there were two different 4 speeds available,a M20 and a M21. It has a 4 speed now ,but I am trying to determine if it was original. Larry

stan 65 cutlass

my non 442 has m20 on the cowl tag, worth a look

stan 65 cutlass

if you go here
http://www.442bro.com/
and click on transmissions/rearends there are some codes on the outside that may help identify it

35tac

Larry is referring to our discussion about a 66 that is for sale in Washington State by Kompact Kar Korner. I posted pictures of the cowl tag in my Newbie posting.

VIN Tag 338676Z119864

cowl tag

ST 66-33867 BF00561
TR 980 H1 paint
031454



Thats it. The decoder I tried said something about "442 Option"

There were 1148 66 Cutlass converts built with a 4 speed, is 330CI That said what does the code say if anything about this car.
Thanks
Wayne

joe_padavano

The VIN won't tell you if the car is a 442 or not in the 1966 model year. Only the 1968-71 442s carried unique VINs.

The cowl tag may or may not have a trans indication, as the tags varied slighly among the assembly plants, but typically it does not since the trans was not a Fisher Body responsibility. More likely is that the cowl tag will have an indication that the floor got pierced and hump added for a floor shifter.

Rocketowner

Thanks Stan for the referral to the 442 Article,and to Joe for his (always right on the money advice.) I am almost envious of Joe because he is the (Walking encyclopedia of Oldsmobiles ). I appreciate everyone's helpfulness and vast knowledge on this site. We are lucky to have C.O. And a BIG Hats Off ,to all who make it happen! Larry

35tac

Joe, thanks for the help. It seems to me at least that the cowl tags from Lansing may or may not have more information on them than the Fremont Cal. tags. I appreciate your help. An assumption though for my benefit, would it be true that if a car was ordered in 1966 from a midwest dealer that it would be built in Lansing as opposed to the east or west coast plants.
Thanks
Wayne

Rocketowner

Wayne ,looks like we are at the end of the road since the Freemont cars don't give the Trans. Info by Vin# or Cowl Tag. It was fun helping dig up what info we could. best of luck in your hunt for tht "right Car". Larry

Octania

Ah, I heard "Cutlass" and thought "ordinary small block car"
I forget that for some years the 442 was an option on the Cutlass or similar.
For 1966, you cannot ascertain from the VIN whether the car was originally a 442. Possibly the body tag - "5V" or similar? Someone here will know for sure. 442-ness was not specified in the *VIN* until 1968 though.

Then we have the manual trans vs. AT confusion. While not unheard of for a Cutlass to have a 4-speed or 3-onna-tree, the AT is far and away more common, so that is what I was thinking.

Others have set forth the skinny on your Muncie ID. They didn't VIN stamp 'em back then but you can certainly get the main parts' casting numbers and at least see if they are all correct for your car's production year- the internet will have that info no doubt.

stan 65 cutlass

some muncies were vin stamped, and some were not.

Rocketowner

Thanks. Somewhere in my searching the Vin# ,I misread where it gave the information as(Cutlass ,442 was Optional)and that is why I thought it was a 442. Larry

35tac

Larry, thanks for your help. It was definitely a learning excursus for the right one someday.
Wayne

Octania

To clarify, prior to 1968, a trans VIN derivative stamp was not required by law, therefore probably never done on any car. Stories to the contrary will be welcome.

After 1967, this practice was required.

So, if you find a VIN stamp in the case of the 1966 Cutlass/ F85/ 442/ L69/ whatever, it'll either be from a later car or one that the owner did for their purposes. That info and/or the main pieces casting numbers, should rule out original trans, or not.

35tac

Thanks
Wayne