442 ?

[my86442]

Ok my basic understanding on the 442 package is this:

4 Barrel carb
4 speed transmission
2 dual exhaust

Ive been told this for years and now that i own an 86, the legend preceeds itself. For every 442 that ive seen, in the 80's versions, Have been automatic 4 speeds. But back in the 60's and 70's alot of them were 3 speed automatics with bench seats. There have been some that ive seen hardly have any option to them at all. Why is that and why keep the 442 name in the car if it doesnt hold up to the name?
I mean yea ive rode in a few with the 3 speed auto's and they were some bad *ss cars. Even test drove a 4 speed manual shift '70 442 that would jerk your head backwards in every gear you put it in. Was it an option for the cars to have an automatic, or did GM only have a certain number of 4 speed manuals they could put in these cars?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Old ... 662wt_1165

 

[YGspider]

1964 (Original meaning)
4: Four Barrel Carburetion
4: Four On the Floor
2: Dual Exhausts
1965 (First year of automatic and three speed manual transmission option on 442)
4: 400 Cubic Inch Displacement
4: Four Barrel Carburetion
2: Dual Exhaust
1967 (First year a 2bbl was available) 4: 400 engine 4: Nothing, 2bbl Turnpike Cruiser option available 2: Dual Exhaust--Actually in 1967 the 442 did stand for 400 engine, 4 bbl carb and 2 exhaust. The 2bbl Turnpike Cruiser was an option. The standard 400 engine was a 4 bbl carb so yes, the second 4 did have a meaning.
1968-71 Official name of car was 442
1972 Reverts to option package W29, but with no connection to the numerals 442.
1985 to 1987 (Last of RWD 442s)
4: Four speed automatic
4: Four barrel carburetor
2: Dual exhaust
1990 and 1991 (FWD 442)
4: Four cylinders
4: Four valves
2: Two camshafts

 

[my86442]

I didnt know all that. Awesome that you have this info cuz i would of never known. I didnt even know there was a 442 front wheel drive.

 

[dogsht]

The FWD 442 was powered by the Olds "Quad four" engine. GM's first DOHC four valve per cylinder four cylinder. In the 442 it made a very stout for a naturally aspirated four cylinder 180 HP and even had a rare "F-41" option package that made 190 HP. To my knowledge still the strongest naturally aspirated 4 cylinder GM ever put in a car. The standard quad four put in a lot of stuff made 155 - 160 HP and was still a good runner.

fwiw The engine had one major shortcoming. The unconventionally driven water pump would fail. Often when this would happen the consumer would not catch on quick enough and would overheat the engine. When this happened it would rather quickly warp the head which turned out to be a costly repair and many quad fours were killed long before being worn out and sent to the salvage yard. I have a quad four that GM re named "twin cam" in a 98 Pontiac Grand Am. Including the original the car is on its fourth water pump but at least its sill on the road at 230,000 miles.

 

[DRIVEN]

I have a bit if a Quad4 fetish myself. I think dogshit meant W41 instead of F41 but everything else is right on. While I think that the FWD 442 was a bit of a stretch of the original 442 name, it was a pretty fast car for it's time.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I had a Quad4 in my Olds Achieva and it took abuse from 3 different teenagers when me, my cousin, and my brother got our licenses it was handed to us.

 

[YGspider]

Even thought the 1980's 442's are not the fastest ... I still have them as my favrotie 442 I have never seen a car that has a better body shape then a Gbody I dont know why. It's light weight and easy to work on to turn into anything you want.

 

[DRIVEN]

It's light weight and easy to work on to turn into anything you want.

Add affordable to that list and you've summed up what makes all Gbodys great.

 

[my86442]

i have to agree.

 

[Minion1186]

I do believe that 67? or 66 was a misnomer with the tri carb option but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I recently seen a really nice quad 4 442 cruising around, two tone burgundy over silver (like a g-body 442 paint scheme), wire rims, white letters and duals. Best part of it was an elderly woman was behind the wheel. After I saw that I added that car to my dreamed up wish list of expensive automobiles made from unobtainium. 8)