Zaman's 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible
Quick Link Table of Contents
August 5, 2010 - Update
Spring Update 2011
Pre-Winter Update 2011
Mid November 2011 Update
Reassembly is moving along nicely!
So much to do!
More updates 12/13/2011
Still Moving Along
January 2012 Update
February 2012 Update
Early Summer 2012 Update
Late Summer Interior Update
Early Winter 2012 Update
Introduction
Give you a quick story - My Dad was always a Ford guy. He loved the reliability of the inline 6. When I was 16 years old, I saved up enough money to go buy a car. So my Dad took me driving around to see what cars were for sales around the area. We came across a gas station that had a '67 Mustang convertible and '68 442 convertible - we pulled in and looked the cars over and I told him to decide which one we should buy. To my surprise, he was in love with the lines of the 442. We purchased on the spot and that was the start of my love with my '68 Olds 442 convertible.
My Dad retired in December 2007 and he felt that he finished his responsibilities here with his four kids, grown up and all fairly successful, so he moved back to his motherland. However, every time my Dad calls me, it's always about “how are his grandchildren and how is the 442?”. I know it seems small, but buying that car with my Dad is one of the greatest memories I have with him!
Currently, my car was sent to Maryland Muscle Car (Hagerstown, MD) in April of 2009. It is going through a full frame-off nuts and bolts restoration. Originally, we had thought this was a 425, after careful inspection by the engine builder it's actually a 1970 455, the interior will be completely modern, the outside will look as original as possible. I painted it back to the original Scarlet paint, white cloth top and the W-30 option is being put in. The transmission is a 4-speed Muncie M-22 and I am currently looking for a 1968 12-bolt rear to put in.
I've also put disc brakes all around. The interior will feature bucket seats by Tea's in the front and rear. The seats will be vinyl, however the interior panel will be leather with leather dash covering. The inside will be completely modern, which includes state of the art entertainment and navigation system, push start, accent lighting, automatic windows and other little nice features. The exterior will be fairly original. I will have SS2 rims, 15X10 in the rear (flush to the well) and 15X8 in the front. The exterior lights will be all LED and the head lights will be HID.
12-Bolt 1968 GM rear and stainless steel exhaust. I kept the exhaust manifolds rather than headers, because I like the deep rumble on the manifolds over the sharp sound of headers.
Just about everything that is exposed is powder coated.
Here is a picture of the car right before it went on the flatbed for the restoration project:
A special thanks to Maryland Muscle Car for all their hard work in making this project come to life! Also want to thank John from MMC for the all pictures and details he has provided on this project.
Re-assembly should start as soon as I find the rear and car should be completed by early August.
We tried to replicate the "W30" engine where possible.
- 455 CI. with a 10.5:1 Compression Ratio (BTW, Perfect with today's fuel for performance with pump gas.)
- Engine block is bored .030 oversize on the cylinders.
- The engine block was "decked" and the cylinder heads milled. Both to achieve flatness for sealing.
- Factory Cast Iron 455 Heads - Casting # 403686, with the "E" on front of head.
- Factory Cast Iron Intake Manifold - Casting # 404521.
- Reproduction (New) Cast Iron "W30" Exhaust Manifolds - Casting # W402295.
- Stock Rebuilt Distributor with a Crane electronic conversion under the cap (looks stock) with a "100" (Day of the Year Manufacturer) stamped next to distributor hole.
- Hydraulic reproduction "W30" camshaft.
- Original 455 crankshaft with the rods and mains both turned to .010 under size.
- Engine reciprocating assembly is balanced.
- New Holley Spreadbore Carburetor with the same CFM as the original "W30".
On the block, on the machined pad next to the number 1 cylinder is the VIN - # 30M331020 (1970 built in Lansing-Home of the W30 cars.) Engine block # 396021F (1968-1972, 455 CI Engine)
Some pictures of the 455 CID
March Serpentine Billet Pulley
Some Pictures of the Body
