tkcutlass

Trying verify a few parts from a 68 442 that I am considering.


I think this is the correct carb.
Not sure about the alternator.

joe_padavano

Your carb photo is out of focus. The correct carb would be 7028251 for an AT and 7028253 for an MT.

rcorrigan5

...and your alternator looks correct for a '68 A-body car without A/C or heavy duty cooling. It appears the date code is 8C8 (8 which means 1968, C8 which means March 8th). Check that against the build date on your trim tag (located on the cowl, driver side).

I'm not 100% sure on this, but it rumor has it that some 1968 4-4-2s with manual transmissions somehow came with the 7028251 carburetor.

Randy C.

joe_padavano

Actually, early 1968 W30s of both trans persuasions came with the '251 carb though engine unit number 8342491. 1968 W30 engines subsequent to that got the '254. Dealer Technical Bulletin 68-T-18 documents this and also instructs you how to modify the '251 to work on W30 motors.

Fun71

Gotta laugh at the teflon tape on the carb inlet flare fitting.

joe_padavano

Yeah, I caught that also. People don't understand how flare fittings work.

Koda

A discussion about anti-seize, lubricated vs non rotational force to clamping force relation, and dissimilar metals corrosion, or lack thereof, is way out of the question in that fitting as well.

tkcutlass

Looks like the Canadian built 442 should have the 3:31 rear with the M21 (pretty much confirmed in my 442 rear options post)
So based on my research, I should find HF code on the M21
And RF code on the rear since it has manual brakes.
I have the engine number from VVS which I thought would match the vin. but I guess in 1968 it doesn't.

So the items I plan on verifying as original are:

Engine
Transmission
Alternator
Carb
Rear (obivously, the gears behind the cover could have been changed)

Probably should check the distributor.
Not sure if I have to verify the originality on the Teflon tape

Did I miss anything important or have the wrong codes?

TIA

BackInTheGame

Correct, engine number does not match the VIN in 1968. I don't know about other years. You do know the engine unit number is stamped on the oil fill tube, right? Whatever fill tube is on there may or may not be the original. They are just tapped in.

BangScreech4-4-2

I thought the engine was stamped with the VIN derivative starting in '68.

joe_padavano

The engine unit number for a 1968 car is stamped on the oil fill tube. Prior to 1968 it was stamped on the front of the passenger side head. The VIN derivative (which Olds first used starting with the 1968 model year) will be stamped on the block below the number 1 spark plug.

allyolds68

Not this again....

The carb numbers in the PIM were revised 4/29/68. Although no one seems to have an earlier revision to know for sure, it almost surely added the 253 at this time. I've seen pics of only two 253 carbs in 25 years, I've never seen one in person. One was dated 1528 and the other 1718. The 251 carb was used at least until very late in the 68 model year for both MT & AT applications. In addition a service bulletin dated 6/3/68 details the modifications required to the stock MT carb because of rough idle. Unfortunately it doesn't specify the carb number to modify.

joe_padavano

Actually, Dealer Tech Bulletin 68-T-18 dated 6-3-68 specifically talks about W30 cars and the use of the '251 carb on those engines (both AT and MT versions). The changes to the '251 to convert it to '254 specs apply to cars with either trans.

allyolds68

I have a different bulletin for non W MT cars:

BackInTheGame

VIN derivative is different from engine unit number. Yes, the VIN derivative is stamped on the block beginning in '68.