Newish to the forums 85 442

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Mac442

Master Mechanic
Apr 25, 2020
257
384
63
Ocean County, NJ
I’ve browsed this forum for info for a while but am a new user. Lots of great info here. Getting back into this hobby with my young sons. I probably put about 500 miles on my 442 in the past 12 years. I don’t like others touching this car, the only work I didn’t do myself was the trans and bottom end of the engine.

I’ve had my 1985 Olds 442 since 1998. I’m the third owner. Body has about 65xxx miles on it ... it had about 42xxx when I bought it. Only saw rain a few times. Added that FE3 badge to cover the dealer badge being removed.

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Now has a zz383 in it. I just needed something to drop in and go. I had mildly rebuilt the original 307 from the bottom up but that got old. The. Had an Olds 350 for a bit which was great.

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Still has the code OZ TH-2004r, which has been rebuilt with a manual valve body, Kevlar bands, better pump and other good stuff. I can’t remember what converter I have in there. I added a Megashifter in the original console. Still the original 8.5” 3.73. I just had to change the pinion seal but still going strong.

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Replaced the body bushings with poly ones. The car had the rust proofing on then undercarriage which preserved things ok. The old rubber bushings were brittle even after 60000 miles.

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New fuel tank and sending unit. Holley blue electronic fuel pump which is a bit loud, but I wasnt crazy about the red one.

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Suspension is next on my to do. Pretty much stock. I did add the Grand Cherokee steering shaft.
 

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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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Congrats on having a black 85 442. I have one too, with a hair over 60K miles. I am happy for you. I realize to each his own, but when I spied that engine, I sighed. If you bought it that way, what can you do? But please don't tell me you swapped out the 307 for the Chevy engine? 😫

As one of the rare handful of purists on here, I always prefer to keep the factory installed equipment when possible. Welcome, anway. :)


Me when I see an Olds with a Chevy engine in it (that wasn't factory installed):

0KX4OY.gif
 
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Mac442

Master Mechanic
Apr 25, 2020
257
384
63
Ocean County, NJ
Thanks! Yeah I used to be somewhat of a purist, but then when my kids came along I had to use what I had laying around to get it running.

I did rebuilt the 307 years ago, the. Went to 69 Rocket 350 for a bit. If it was a 72 or earlier BOP I’d never put in a Chevy motor but I figured since this gbody had holes in the frame for a Buick 3.8, Chevy 305 etc I could tell myself it’s okay haha. Corporate 383 haha.
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
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Louisville, KY
Beautiful 442 man, and welcome to this awesome forum from KY! My 87 Supreme was originally black, but it's went under the knife 8 years ago and looks a bit different now. I do have an 8.5" rear out of an 85 442, so there's that lol!
Keep sharing, and enjoy whatever powerplant you want. 69hurstolds is a stickler for factory correct and that's alright, that's what this money pit of a hobby is all about, putting your twist on it!
 
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Mac442

Master Mechanic
Apr 25, 2020
257
384
63
Ocean County, NJ
Thanks! Yeah, even being garage kept its entire life the factory lacquer paint looks terrible. Will need a repaint one day but for now it looks ok from 20 feet!
 
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Mac442

Master Mechanic
Apr 25, 2020
257
384
63
Ocean County, NJ
Welcome to the forum! I always appreciate a clean 442. It looks like you have taken care of It. I’m curious about the interior trim bezels. Did you paint them or swap them with 87 442 bezels? Where are you from?
Thanks! From central NJ. The interior trim bezels aren’t painted, the are some type of etched brushed aluminum overlays from some gbody site. I purchased them 10/15 years ago, I can’t remember where. I actually tried to look for who sold them the other day and couldn’t find anything. They are really nice quality. They had many options.
 
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85442/86buick

G-Body Guru
Feb 12, 2013
746
1,118
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Perth Country , Ontario
Welcome to a great Site ,
Sweet looking car , can I be the first to ask how do you eat up engines with so low mileage ? Or is it all a quarter mile at a time ?
the inlays look like something that a guy who was on the Turbo Buick forum years ago sold..........along with engraved shift handles and stuff..............now to find this web site ( if he's still in business ) He had a decent grouping of parts.

edit - thinking TR Custom Parts in North Haven CT...........buickgn.com

sorry site sponsors
 
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