viper771

I had some questions rolling around in my head, and I thought some of you guys could help me out.

1. were the fender stripes on the 68 painted on, or were they decals?

2. was there ever a radio offered for the 442/cutlass that was Am/FM with a large amp that was seperate from the actual radio, and plugged into it? I had someone offer me one, but wasn't sure if it was for a 68, or came from a later model.

3. If you had the bucket seats with head rests, were the seat back switches located on the side (like normal) or on the back?

4. Behind the door armrests, there are chrome plates. Did they have a finned detail to them, or were they smooth? Did the rear arm rests also have chrome plates behind them?

5. Does anyone repo the dual pin stripe for the dash?

6. For the shoulder seat belts, are there holes in place on the underside of the top as it left from the factory (as in all cars were set up for them, even if they got them or not)? I wanted to put in the shoulder setup but wasn't sure if I needed to do something extra.

I think thats all the questions I had for now. Sorry for they seem kind of dumb. But i figured you guys could help me out. thanks in advance!

2blu442

The only way to find out is to ask! I can help on a couple,

1) The ones I've seen were painted but I'm not sure if that was factory or repaints. I have heard from several people that the 442 emblem is located in a different location with the stripe than without.

2) Can't help on this one, I know 1970 had the two piece AM/FM but don't know about 68

3) 1968 release buttons were on the side, same as 1967 except 68 used plastic for the seat backs, 67 were metal. 1969-72 had the release in the center of the back, near the top.

4) There should be chrome plated plastic behind all four arm rests. Front had finned texture that showed outside the armrest, the rear were smooth and the entire plate is behind the arm rest with just the edge visible.

5) Don't know

6) I've never seen shoulder straps on a 1968, but that's just my experience. I suspect you'd have to fabricate something to attach them to.

viper771

AH thanks for the info!!!

The repo armrest backs for the front are all smooth. I am going to have to find some orig ones. The rear pannels are good to go then. Right now my interior is out of the car (bought it that way) so I wasn't sure if it was correct or not.

Hummm.. I dunno about the radio either! The radio could very well be from a later model.

I just did some reading about non stripe cars and the emblem was closer to the door. If that is the case, then mine didn't have stripes from the factory. My stripes (which are just decals anyway) pretty much touch the wheel mouldings.

Thanks for the info!! I am sure I will have more questions the more I read up on these cars

joe_padavano

Painted. And yes, the fender 442 emblems are located closer to the door when the factory applied the stripes. This was to allow the stripe to be centered between the back edge of the wheel opening and the forward edge of the door at the bottom of the fender. When people apply the stripes to non-stripe cars, the stripe hits the back of the fender opening.

That's the factory stereo system. The mono AM/FM was just the head unit, the factory stereo used that large adapter (not really an amp). Note that the factory stereo used one speaker in the dash and one in the rear package shelf. Not exactly high-end audio...

All 68 bucket seats used the side release button. 69-72 seats used the center button.

ALL 68 442/Cutlass hardtops and sedans got factory installed front shoulder belts. This was a federal requirement. It's likely the headliner has been replaced and the belts were not reinstalled. Note that there are also two chrome wire holders on each side above the door window to hold the stowed belts.

viper771

Ah great!!! Thanks for the info!! I guess I won't stress too much about my car not having stripes from the factory. I think the 442s look better with stripes, even though its not correct.

Is the stereo system better than the reg am/fm radio? Could an 8 track player be hooked up to that radio?

I did not know that about the shoulder belts. I thought the shoulder straps were still an option up to that time. I guess I have to do some parts hunting. I know they repo those wire holders though.

Another question: at some point my car was repainted. I know the firewall is supposed to be a 60 or so gloss black/semi gloss black. How far would the firewall be painted to? Past the grills below the windshield moulding? How far under the firewall/cowl? i have been trying to find pictures, but haven't found any that show how far toward the windshield I would have to go.

thanks for all the help!

Olds64

I had the same "amp" in my 64 98. It was an option called reverberation. It isn't true stereo but it isn't mono either. I don't know if they offered reverberation with 8 track players. It would be interesting to find out when Olds went to true "stereo."

joe_padavano

This is NOT the reverb option. On the late 60s/early 70s car, it was a true stereo system. The system used a head unit that looked like a mono radio and a separate stereo amp that mounted up under the dash. The 8 track was also an additional factory option on this system.

viper771

Ah ok i get you. Thats pretty cool. If I could find a good 8 track player, id be set for some tunes

Topless72

I may have 1 or 2 sets of arm rest back plates with ribs in the attic. I can check if interested..

2manycars

Hello All. New to the board, but not to the car! Does anyone know where I can find stats on the number of 442's bearing CANADA on the trim tag? I found one recently and know little about the Canadian builds. Thanks in advance!

Also, is it possible that it came with a 12 bolt chevy rear?

Topless72

I've heard over the years that the Canadian built 442's had Chevy 12 bolts..........

Oldsguy

That '68 has to be tubbed! Really a neat looking picture.

joe_padavano

That's correct.

Jolly Green

What's the stock gearing in the rear diff for a 68 442? 12 bolt. They have a solid reputation?

Topless72

The original my driveay has 3.08 non posi (SC code). It's a 3 spd auto (TH400). I had a 4 speed car with a 3.90 or 3.91.. Here's a list with codes.... I just put a R2 one on Ebay.. 2.56 gears, non posi..

1968: Model Ratio Teeth Open Anti-spin Type "O" differential except Vista Cruiser and 442 2.56 41-16 R2, R6 R3, R7 2.78 39-14 SA, S2 SB, S3 3.08 40-13 SC, S4 SD, S5 3.23 42-13 SE, S6 SF, S7 3.42 41-12 TL, S8 TM, S9 3.91 42-11 TN, T2 TO, T3

Topless72

oops..It didn't quite list them in columns..

Here's the link:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/tech/73.shtml

Jolly Green

Where do I find the code associated with the diff? I have a non-original engine/tranny.

Topless72

It's usually a 2 letter code stamped on the tube of the rear end. Mine was about 10" from the center section-to-tube connection towards the upper side of the tube.. It was a little faint, but it was there!

The link above tells where to look too. I just put a 69 Chevelle SS rear end in my 72 442 ragtop.. It's a Chevy 12 bolt with 3.31 posi set up...

Jolly Green

Ok, dumb question. By tube you mean...?

Topless72

Axle tube (houses the axle). Where it meets the pumpkin housing (where the gears are)..

Topless72

Jumpin the thread here... How do you get a picture to show up under your name? I keep trying, but it fails to upload.. Any trick?????

Jolly Green

Oh, axle tube, gotcha. I was thinking where the driveshaft comes to it. Does it matter which tube? Left or right?

Topless72

Normally Passenger side...but if you read the link, it gives more info..