Driving impressions.72 Olds 442

[ZiggyL78]

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/northbrewer/DSCN0214_zps6f9f926d.jpg

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/northbrewer/DSCN0211_zpsc4d1441f.jpg

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/northbrewer/DSCN0210_zps95f3fc9b.jpg

[ZiggyL78]

I picked up my 72 Cutlass 442 a couple or weeks ago.Nice car.I had forgotten what a fairly stock A body drove like.The first thing I noticed was the power steering.It is way over assisted.You can move the wheel with one finger at a dead stop to full lock.I will change the pressure spring in the PS pump and see if I can get a little road feel.The next item is the tires.I wanted to drive the car to the track and install the slicks once I got there.I put some bias ply tires on the car just so I would not have radials on the front and slicks on the back.Things can get a little hairy on the top end with this combo.Man.You never really appreciate radial tires till you don't have them.This thing drives like the tires are square in the morning for a couple of miles.These tires are old but in great shape.The car also gets whipped around in the truck ruts on the highway.Next was the mileage.When I got the car it had 2:73 gears.It ran great on the highway and actually got 17 MPG which is pretty good for a 455.The motor has 9:1 compression,Ga heads,Performer intake,headers,750 vacuum secondary Holley and a stock cam.It ran 14.8 @ 93 with street tires and full exhaust.A buddy of mine gave me a 10 bolt 8.5" rear end with 3:55s.I installed it with a 2400 Vette converter.Opening the dumps with a set of slicks the car ran 13.90 @ 98.Not bad but too slow for me.The mileage dropped to 14MPG.Over the winter I will rebuild the motor and go for a Gear Vendors overdrive.I want to get back to 17 MPG and hopefully get the car into the mid to low 12s.It won't be easy but I think I can do it.I was really surprized on how the 3:55s affected the car on the highway.I expected the RPMs to be higher but to me the car now feels like it has 4.10s.I'm doing 3200 at 60 MPH now and was only doing 2300 with the 2:73s.Back in the day I never had less then 4.10s in any of my cars.I really expected the 3:55s to be more highway friendly.I guess I've been spoiled by todays overdrive trannys.This car came with a non mandrell bent 2 1/2" exhaust with some stock style Midas replacement mufflers.It was very quiet and sounded stock.I added some 50 series Flowmasters mufflers and used the stock pipes.These are the second loudest Flowmasters.The car was still quiet!I couldn't believe it.I guess the low compression,stock cam and non mandrel bends are keeping the sound down.I don't want this thing loud but I would like to hear it.The new motor should make a difference.Anyway.Lots to think about.I love this car and drive it everywhere.I'll start working on this thing soon.The white stuff is coming.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Sounds like a good plan.

Nice car.

Ryan

[DW31S]

I'd be a little suspect on the old tires. While they may look good, they could actually be "worn" out just from sitting----I would see just how old they are. That 455 (if original) didn't make a whole lot of HP due to several things, and waking it up won't be too hard. I hear ya loud and clear on the power steering. I'm finishing up a '72 442 and I put manual steering back in instead of P/S. I think your goals are attainable with ET and MPG. Keep us informed on your progress.

[Postsedan]

I put manual steering back in instead of P/S
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Wise move Dave <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[markinnaples]

Great write up. Should be fun to watch along with your progress. Best of luck.

[TimG]

Three weeks ago I drove a 1972 W30 442 that was for sale locally. I love these cars, but fogot how they drive. The power steering was as you said. I drove a '72 442 new in '72 and took it to college. I thought it drove like a dream on the original tires.
Keep us posted.

[ZiggyL78]

Thanks guys.
Ya.These tires have to go.I really wanted Drag Radials but I got these 10x28 Hoosiers on 15x8 Rally wheels for $150 and the tires are like new.I'll probably buy Drag Radials next year.On a side note a buddy of mine went 9.8s on a pair of Sportsman Pros.I didn't know those tires worked that well and they look like they have enough tread to drive home if you get caught in the rain.DRs are a nightmare on wet roads.
Another thing I forgot to mention is this car stops pretty good for an old car.I thought I read somewhere that the last years of the A body got better brakes?

[downunder1]

I have a '72 W30 4 speed with power steering and I like it, I get good road feel and it doesn't wander at all. Mine has 3.42 rear and an aggressive cam but it is pretty good on the highway, wouldn't have a clue on mpg, but it does have a drinking problem. It has the original engine and has a best time of 13.08 @ 109 mph.

John