Engine casting number (behind water pump / timing chain cover) 400 cid engine 389298 B.
The heads have a large raised "A" cast on the left side of each, left of the spark plug hole.
The right head will contain an Engine Unit Number stamping begining with 'V'. This number is stamped ( not cast ) into a flat machined pad on the front of the head. The heads could have been swapped at some point in time so it could be on the rear of the left.
Engine Casting Number Head Casting Letter Engine Unit Number
Most came with square-bore 4GC carbs, but a few came with spreadbore Rochester Quadra-jets.
Some had PCV valves. These two items are found only on late build '65 442s.
Carburetor datatag numbers are ( Air conditioned 7025151 ) ( Non-Air Conditioned 7025150 ) The only functional difference appears to be the presence of a "hot idle compensator valve" on the 7025151 model.
The (Red - Dark Orange - Bright Orange) 442 emblems are located on the Grill, Tail Panel, Side Scoops, and Dash. The 4 speed shifter handle has 442 ingraved on each side. Later models had the Hurst emblem under the 442, not the 65. The 3 speed hid use a complete Hurst shifter & gate.
There is a "4V" on the firewall data plate. ( 4 is the column number ) "V" signifies that side scoops and all 442 (W-29) related items were installed . ( This only applies to 442's built in Lansing, Mi. ) 442's built in Fremont, Ca. "DON'T" have it, or any definitive codes which makes authentication extremely hard. If you have "HV", it means you also had the thin upper body chrome running along the side of the car. "HVC" designates top door sill and thin body chrome were added plus W-29.
The frames "ARE" different... A true 442 has 4 holes where the rear-end upper control arm bolts to the frame (note: 10 bolt rears are in the 3rd hole from the top, 12 bolts are in the 2nd), the Cutlass only has 1 hole. You can see the difference in the pictures below. This can't be counterfited without cutting and welding connecting points to the frame or trying to accurately drill the other holes. ( The top & bottom holes were non-functional, since there were none on the opposite side that matched up with them.) Note: On the drivers side frame, just ahead of the central body mount is the car's vin number stamped into the top. You may have to remove the body, scrape off the paint to find it.
(sorry for the rusty frames, but these were the easiest to photograph)
ALSO: They NEVER made a 442 emblem that was red, orange & YELLOW. For some reason I see a lot of repainted original emblems with the "2" painted YELLOW.
Oldsmobile actually offered a chrome reverse wheel as an option in 1965, the N98. Click on any picture above to see the information. Pictured are Ron, Jim & Tom's 65's with original N98s.
This is the ONLY correct tailpipe for the 65 442. Notice the crimps and the stainless tip. These pipes came as original equipment ONLY. They could NOT be bought from a dealer as a part item. Click here for Info & pricing, or goto Obsolete Parts. WaltVallelunga@sbcglobal.net
This chart will help you decipher what engine type your have in your Cutlass. While the data is somewhat inconclusive, it provides an overall point of reference for engine decoding. If you have information to fill in the gaps or see an error, please contact me.
In order to figure out what block you have in your car, you must locate the Casting Number. This can be found at the front of the engine on a flat surface behind the timing chain area. ( See picture at top of page) Look to the right (if facing the fan) of the oil filler tube and you will see the stamping on the block. This number should match one of those below. Remember, big blocks are identified by a letter for the ID Code, while small blocks carry a number.
Big Block reference chart:
Casting NumberID CodeCIDYear(s) ProducedNotes
381917A4251965B Bodies (big cars) only
386525A 425
389298B4001965 One year only 442 motor. Cam bank angle is 45 degrees
389244D4251966 - 1967Big car engine. Toronado is different internally.
390925E4001966 - 1967 Lifter angle was changed to 39 degrees.
396021F4551968 - 1972Most common big block. Two types of "F" letters: stick type, and one with two vertical hangers and a base.
396021Fa 4551972 - 1976Very common casting
396026G 4001968 - 1969442 and Vista Cruiser
231788L4551976 Motorhomes (1973 - 1978) maybe marine use also.
Small Block Reference chart:
Casting NumberID CodeCIDYear(s) ProducedNotes
38191713301964
38191723301965
39555823501968 - 1970
3 330
4
5
395558 3501973 - 1974
2A 2601976 - 1981Solid main webs for 2A's only? At least for '76
557751 2B 26019?? - 1981Windowed main webs for 2B's only?
3A
5572654A4031977Solid main webs possibly
5539904A4031977Solid main webs possibly
5549904A4031977Solid main webs possibly
5572654B4031977 - 1979Windowed main webs always.
D3350Diesel
Information gathered from various books and individuals. Credit goes out to the FAQ compilers at 442.com
Boxed lower control arms were included with the 442 package and were not used on the standard F-85 and Cutlass models.
Correct drivers side mirror,
yes the mount is reversed.
Things to look for when buying a 442. If they are missing or incorrect, find out why.
Things to look for when buying a 442. If they are missing or incorrect, find out why.
As you can see by my pencil marks, the 442 emblem will cover up the F-85 and Cutlass mounting holes, so you can use any panel on your 442. You simply have to drill 2 new holes.
Cutlass 442 with pleated interior.
F-85 442 with square paneled tufts.
Notice the side trim on the seats are different. The Cutlass has a brushed look with squared top and the F-85 is shiny with a rounded, pointed top.
Thanx to:
Kurt Shubert for bringing us up to speed on all of the accessory codes and more.
Mike Stilwell for up dating some of the missing codes and much more.
The head light bezels have a slightly different paint scheme. The one on the left is from a 442. Notice that only the two horizontal bars closest to the center have chrome exposed (same as the grill), where the standard models (bezel on the right) have chrome showing on all bars and blackened in between.
Notice the cross member, at the rear spring perches, on the 442 (left) has a lip in the center (for no apparent reason) and the regular Cutlass and F-85 (right) do not.
4V
4V
Protect O Plate- for those of you who aren't sure what a Protect O Plate is or looks like, this is it. It gives specific details about the options and accessories added to your particular car. If you are fortunate enough to have yours, it can be very helpful.
Window Sticker options from a 65 442 Holiday Coupe built in Fremont, California.
Click the picture to enlarge to full size
The shifter on the left is from a 65 bench seat & the one on the right is from the bucket seat model (with or without console). They did not have the Hurst "H" .The insert shows how they bolted to the shifter linkage unlike the later model which pinned to the Hurst shifter.
Dataplate Examples Moved Here
Decode & Understand Your DataPlate
The "Frame Number" on the left rear of the frame just forward ot the tailpipe hanger holes is unique to the 442. The center picture shows the location and the left & right pictures are from 2 different cars. Both contain 3864503 S coupe or 9780503 S convertible.
This HURST shifter is from a 65 442 equipped with the optional M-14 Heavy Duty 3-speed transmission (Ford Toploader), Introduced in February of 65 (late production). The M-13 3 speed came standard.
Build Sheet from a 65 442 Sport Coupe built in Fremont, California.
Click the picture to enlarge to full size
Note: The convertible frame is very similar in appearance to the heavy duty 442, but the rear frame number is ...... 9777400 S
NOT 9780503 S which designates the convertible 442.
o
o
Air Cleaner Pie Pan: These are the two different air cleaner plates found on two different original 442's. ( they are NOT decals ) They are made of a thicker aluminum and held down by a chrome center disk. The one on the right is always accompanied by the "Ultra High Compression" sticker. Both are correct, but the one on the left is more common, at least in my area
ID Code
