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Need help. For either a 1969 or 1970 442, does the cowl tag match the vin #, are they supposed to?
Is part of the vin stamped somewhere on the block?
Heads are either D,E or F correct?
Thanks for the help.
Steve
The serial number on the cowl tag is the Fisher Body sequence number and was assigned before the VIN, so they never match unless there's an amazing coincidence.
The style number on the cowl tag (model line and body style) matches the second through fifth characters of the VIN EXCEPT for the 1968-69 442s. It is well documented in the Parts Book, the Fisher Body Manual, and the Product Information Manual (among other places) that the 68-69 442s came with 344... VINs but 336... cowl tags. Different assembly plants changed over to the 344... cowl tags at different times. I've seen Oshawa built 1968 442s with the 344... cowl tag and I've seen late 1969 Lansing built 442s that still had the 336... cowl tags. My 68 W30, 69 442, and 69 H/O all have 366... cowl tags.
Heads will be "C" heads for 1969 except on W30 and Hurst/Olds motors, which got "D" heads.
Heads will be "E" heads for 1970 except on W30 motors, which got "F" heads. Beware that it's REALLY easy to turn an "E" into an "F", so check the actual casting number above the center two exhaust ports on all F heads.
The VIN derivative is stamped on the block and trans case for model years 1969-up.
Joe thanks for the help.
So I am looking at a 1970 442 non W-30.
So vin is 344870G123370
Cowl is 70 34487 G 46342
Is this correct?
Also when you say second thru fifth character of vin, per above it would be then 44870? I know 3 means Olds.
Per trans diagram, when it says right side, is that looking at trans from front of the car or back of the car?
Thank you again for your time.
Steve
Left and right on a car always refer to when you are seated behind the wheel.
Second through fifth characters of the VIN are positions two, three, four, and five, so 4487. The 44 signifies the 442 model line and the 87 signifies Holiday Coupe (2dr hardtop).
The G is Framingham, MA assembly plant.
The 0 in the sixth position of the VIN is the model year (1970), which is also the ST 70 on the cowl tag.
123370 in the VIN is the vehicle sequence number at the factory.
46342 on the cowl tag is the Fisher Body sequence number for the body shell only.
July 28th, 2022, 02:45 PM
