Anyone have an Olds 442?

-

Don K

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
103
Reaction score
99
Location
Idaho
I know this is a Mopar site, but I tried this question on the Oldsmobile forum and no help at all. I have a friend her husband died about 6 months ago, she has his 69 442 with a 455 and auto trans. It hasn't run in 32 years. She would like to get it running again. I told her I would make it run and stop. As I was looking it over I noticed the headers are rotted out. I would like to replace them but with what? Budget is a concern and of course fitment. I'm a Mopar guy and have never worked on a 442. So anyone out there ever have one or knows someone with one your advise would be very helpful.
Thank You
 
What are you wanting exactly? Someone with (hopefully) an affordable set of headers? Summit's showing some in stock, but they start at like 600 and go up. If you're not in a hurry, there are some much cheaper that would drop ship.

The other end, installation, I am a little familiar with. I had friends in school who had a 68 Cutlass and the other a 68 442. I helped put headers on both and I can tell you, I won't do another. The exhaust ports are not in the best position to reach either from the top or bottom. It's just aggravating. If you can find some manifolds, that's what I would recommend. Manifolds are forever.
 
I’ve owned 69 and 68 442’s in the 70’s, long gone. Ditch the headers and replace with stock manifolds. GM car parts are cheap to come by. Don’t put too much money into that car, they’re not worth like MOPAR’s. Dime a dozen.
 
Thanks good info. Manifolds are a good option. By the way I posted on the Olds Forum and no response. Post on this site and all kinds of help.
 
The only problem that I had on my 442s and Cutlass Supremes was with the timing chain. I used to buy the cars on the cheap, replace the timing chain and flip them for a big profit. I’d make like $100 to $200.
 
Thanks good info. Manifolds are a good option. By the way I posted on the Olds Forum and no response. Post on this site and all kinds of help.
We're just cool like that.
 
I know this is a Mopar site, but I tried this question on the Oldsmobile forum and no help at all. I have a friend her husband died about 6 months ago, she has his 69 442 with a 455 and auto trans. It hasn't run in 32 years. She would like to get it running again. I told her I would make it run and stop. As I was looking it over I noticed the headers are rotted out. I would like to replace them but with what? Budget is a concern and of course fitment. I'm a Mopar guy and have never worked on a 442. So anyone out there ever have one or knows someone with one your advise would be very helpful.
Thank You

Mr Bean died ? That is sad ! Great guy ... great story behind the car.
He ordered it from his dads dealership in Nampa just after getting a job offer to teach school in Midavale. He did not order the W30 pkg because he was concerned about availabilty of 100 octane fuel up there. I have pictures and a video of it running . He had many nice cars in his shop .
 
Wait a minute ... I dont think this is the same car. His was a 70 I thought and is in perfect condition with 42k miles. No headers that I saw.
 
I didn't think the 455 was available in the 442 until 1970. Am I wrong? A good friend of mine had a 68 442 with a 400 and a 4 speed, had a bigger cam and was a really nice car. He let me drive it one night after a party, my 340 Dart would have stomped his butt.
 
69 442 with a 455 is my non Mopar dream car! Wanted one since before I was fully committed to Mopar.
There was a local guy that had one with a 350 and a 4 speed. He let me test drive it, surprisingly. This was '96, and I think he was asking $3500. Damn I wish I wasn't a financial idiot.
 
I didn't think the 455 was available in the 442 until 1970. Am I wrong? A good friend of mine had a 68 442 with a 400 and a 4 speed, had a bigger cam and was a really nice car. He let me drive it one night after a party, my 340 Dart would have stomped his butt.
I think you're right. Hurst/Olds had 455s in 1968-69, but not 442s. More than 50 years later, who knows?
 
I have a friend who lives and breathes 442 cars. He has at least 4.
I will check with him later.
Heck if you are selling he may offer you a fair price as is. Joe jus an honest and fair person.
 
My high school best friend had a 67 with a 425 and 4 speed. I think the 425 Olds was easily their best engine. That car met an unfortunate fate. A large tree fell on it in his back yard. It was a sad day.
 
I think you're right. Hurst/Olds had 455s in 1968-69, but not 442s. More than 50 years later, who knows?
I was told it is a 455 but not original to the car. The numbers I can see on the block read a 74.
 
I have a friend who lives and breathes 442 cars. He has at least 4.
I will check with him later.
Heck if you are selling he may offer you a fair price as is. Joe jus an honest and fair person.
She doesn't want to sell, just would like to drive it.
 
Not really helpful but-

buick olds and pontiac performance parts are almost as hard to find and almost as expensive as they are for a Mopar.

At least you are familiar with that aspect.
 
I ran a set of Dougs on my 68 when I had it. The install wasn't too bad from what I remember but installing anything at 17 was easier than it is now.
 
-
Back
Top