New guy

[Mayfairs442]

Hey all,

I bought a 86 olds 442 with T-Tops in pieces over the summer and decided I should join the community given I've already learned so much from this forum. I hope I can actually add some value to it too! The car is a large project and I have big plans for it. I want to do an ls swap with an LQ4 or LSA and built 4l80 or 6l90. Quick perf 9", unsure on suspension but open to advice. I originally thought QA1, but reading here, many people say there are cheaper or better options for the same price.

Right now the car is original w/ 307, 200-4r, 8.5 10-bolt, f41 gearbox, etc... It needs some rust repair (only guy from Ca that buys a car with rust), body work, and paint. My plans are to get all body work together, freshen up the drive train (new fluids, belts, rebuild the quadraport) and have an enjoyable car for next summer. Then next winter I'd like to do the full frame off engine, trans, suspension, rear dif swap with reinforced and powder coated frame, paint the engine bay, and underbody. Happy to be here!

 

[69hurstolds]

Did the previous owner park that thing in a lake or something?

I'll say it needs some rust repair. That's going to be a larger project than you thought, I'm afraid. That T-top rot in the A-pillar area is going to suck. That poor car has been severely neglected.

Have you done the complete analysis as to how much work you'll be needing to do? I can tell you this, if you can bring this one back to life, you'll have learned a ton of stuff about G-bodies you can't ever get from reading about it. Good luck with your new project!

 

[airboatgreg]

Welcome. But I agree with the above. This is a great site.

 

[olds307 and 403]

This is one 442 I could care less if it stays Olds powered, it will be lucky if it ever lives again. Great part, go completely different for paint, exactly how you want, why go stock, it won't have a hint of the original car under the hood, so why stay factory on the outside? Do it how YOU want. Grit your teeth, that is rough, bunker down for a ton of work and time. The 307 air cleaner is somewhat valuable, that one is near the bottom of value, needs a replacement top and completely stripped down and rust removed and painted, like everything else on that car. The TH2004R is also a better core as well, worth more if working. The 307 is basically only worth something if it runs decently. Beyond good luck, boy do you need it.

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

That is definitely a project, you might find Jimmy Hoffa in it too.

You sure it's an 8.5" under it?

 

[Mayfairs442]

This is one 442 I could care less if it stays Olds powered, it will be lucky if it ever lives again. Great part, go completely different for paint, exactly how you want, why go stock, it won't have a hint of the original car under the hood, so why stay factory on the outside? Do it how YOU want. Grit your teeth, that is rough, bunker down for a ton of work and time. The 307 air cleaner is somewhat valuable, that one is near the bottom of value, needs a replacement top and completely stripped down and rust removed and painted, like everything else on that car. The TH2004R is also a better core as well, worth more if working. The 307 is basically only worth something if it runs decently. Beyond good luck, boy do you need it

I actually like the original paint scheme more than anything else I've seen. The 307 runs good, just need to dick with the carb to get it to idle right. I'm not to good with them so I figured I'd just get it rebuilt. 2004r goes through all gears, I've drove it around the block.

 

[Mayfairs442]

That is definitely a project, you might find Jimmy Hoffa in it too.

You sure it's an 8.5" under it?

I'm pretty sure from what I've read about identifying marks. It got the two ears on the bottom. Here's a pic, tell me what you think.

 

[69hurstolds]

Since you'll be rebuilding it anyway, or putting something else under there, it's really not a big deal on the rear end. From the pics, it's an 8.5 with G80 (limited slip) the best possible 8.5 situation you can get with that car if the 3.73s are still in it. Albeit it's rusty AF. The SPID sticker inside the trunklid should say "G80" in the option codes for it to be factory. Doesn't appear anyone but the guy who drowned in it has messed with much if anything on this car. Does look strange that the quarter windows appear gone. Unless my eyesight is going. Perhaps that's why the elements got to the interior of the car, along with water dripping inside. CHECK THE FLOOR PANS FRONT AND REAR, and especially the rear section of the frame for severe corrosion.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Make sure you get some who knows the CCC Qjet to rebuild it. Do not get a reman, it is also a special casting number for the 442.

 

[Mayfairs442]

Since you'll be rebuilding it anyway, or putting something else under there, it's really not a big deal on the rear end. From the pics, it's an 8.5 with G80 (limited slip) the best possible 8.5 situation you can get with that car if the 3.73s are still in it. Albeit it's rusty AF. The SPID sticker inside the trunklid should say "G80" in the option codes for it to be factory. Doesn't appear anyone but the guy who drowned in it has messed with much if anything on this car. Does look strange that the quarter windows appear gone. Unless my eyesight is going. Perhaps that's why the elements got to the interior of the car, along with water dripping inside. CHECK THE FLOOR PANS FRONT AND REAR, and especially the rear section of the frame for severe corrosion.

Ironically the frame and floor pans are good. Frame has surface rust but nothing poking through, even where the body mount bolts are in most places from what I've seen. I do need to dig deeper though. That pillar, the doors, and the hood look the worst. The story I got from the guy I bought it from was the previous owner was a body guy. He was in the process of painting it and went on a 7 year vaca. The car looks like it was taken care of up until then because the carpets and seats look decent, as well as the trims. The bad part is because it was taken apart most the seals were off