Oldsmobile 1966

[Guest Alex Ruozzi]

We would like to understand why the casting number E 390925 ( 442 engine/1966) is very rare.

Someone has the idea how many cars were produced ?

We have a 1966 Oldsmobile 442, manual, F85.

[joe_padavano]

We would like to understand why the casting number E 390925 ( 442 engine/1966) is very rare.

Someone has the idea how many cars were produced ?

We have a 1966 Oldsmobile 442, manual, F85.

There's a lot of bad info on the web, especially in the Olds FAQ if that's where you're getting your information. The E block 400 was only used for the 1966-67 model years and only in 442s and the 1967 Turnpike Cruiser option in the Cutlass Supreme. Compared to the Olds 350 block that was used in all models from 1968-1976, it's rare. Compared to the B casting 400 block that was only used in 442s during the 1965 model year, there were over twice as many E-block 400s cast. "Rare" is a relative and very non-specific term, and frankly ANY GM motors from the 1960s that were not Chevrolets are getting "rare" due to scrappage and age.

Edited October 23, 2012 by joe_padavano (see edit history)

[Guest Alex Ruozzi]

There's a lot of bad info on the web, especially in the Olds FAQ if that's where you're getting your information. The E block 400 was only used for the 1966-67 model years and only in 442s, Vista Cruisers, and the 1967 Turnpike Cruiser option in the Cutlass Supreme. Compared to the Olds 350 block that was used in all models from 1968-1976, it's rare. Compared to the B casting 400 block that was only used in 442s during the 1965 model year, there were over twice as many E-block 400s cast. "Rare" is a relative and very non-specific term, and frankly ANY GM motors from the 1960s that were not Chevrolets are getting "rare" due to scrappage and age.

Thank you for your information.

We got this information from WELCOME 442.COM - FAQ - Blocks - Big Blocks 1965 - 1976

ID/ CastingCode Year(s) CID Number Notes A '65 425 381917?? 1st year, big cars. 386525 B '65 400 389298 442 only, one year only. D '66 - '67 425 389244 Big-car engine. Toro is different internally. E '66 - '67 400 390925 442 engine [VERY rare]. F '68 - '70 455 396021 Common big block. Stick type F (sans serif). F '70 - '72 455 396021 Common big block. Serif type F. Two vertical and a base serif. Fa '72 - '76 455 396021 Very common big block. Marine also (L VIN derivative). G '68 - '69 400 396026 442/Vista/etc. engine. L '76 455 231788 Motorhome, marine and irrigation. GM made motorhomes from '73-8, maybe in all? Casting number appears as "231 [tiny 'L'] 788" on the block.</pre>

[joe_padavano]

We got this information from WELCOME 442.COM - FAQ - Blocks - Big Blocks 1965 - 1976

Which is why I responded

There's a lot of bad info on the web, especially in the Olds FAQ if that's where you're getting your information.