Question on 68-72 Olds type "O" Rear

[Fred Rice]

Originally Posted by Jim Kaekel

No, unfortunately you can't put a 12-bolt Chevy carrier in an Olds housing. Funny thing is, although the "O" type had a 12-bolt cover, the carrier used 10 bolts to retain the ring gear. I wish I had a nickel for every time someone told me they threw one of those out years ago. An "O" type rear with positraction can go for pretty good money nowadays. Richmond does offer new 3.42 and 3.91 gears for the "O" type if anyone needs 'em.

Thanks for the verification Jim.....we found this when we pulled the cover off. I thought the same for years.Found a 4:33 set in OKLA.

[Jack McCarthy]

so what is one worth ?
i got one dissassembled with a new 3.90 gear ?
just wondering

captain jack

[Jim Kaekel]

Jack: Quite a bit to a guy restoring a '67-70 Olds 4-4-2, H/O, etc. that wants the correct rear. I would think that a complete "O" type positraction rear with 3.91 gears would be worth between $2,000 and $3,000. I had a fellow offer me $1,500 for one that I have in my street '70 4-4-2, and that was 15 yrs. ago.

[Dan Lattimore]

In the early 70's Dale Smith used to send those things along with Muncie 4 speeds and Bonzi 400 turbos to us by the pallet load 4.66 and a few 5.00. All brand new but each had a label attached saying scrap. I still have a few of those labels in my tool box. The 82 Cutlass they sent us had no vin # and also labeled scrap. ------ He knew we didn't use any of it but couldn't directly give us money so that was his way of helping us finance our racing. Gave that stuff away compared to todays prices. All aluminum W27 O type 12 bolts bring $ 8000 plus to the right guy these days. Never sent us any of those, they came cast iron with a W27 cover on them. Kinda glad he didn't if you get my drift.

[Jim Kaekel]

Cool story, Danny.

[Dan Lattimore]

Originally Posted by Jim Kaekel

Cool story, Danny.

Jim-------- Dale was a great guy who loved these cars and would do anything in his power to help keep you going. A successful Olds at the track whether a 1950 or a brand new one was the same to him. Although manufacturers cup points were only earned with current model year cars he kept feeding us anyway. He loved the fact that we were running a 4 speed and had locally won 36 out of 45 eliminators in 1973. He said the best exposure and biggest sales came from local tracks. In 1974 with a 2 year old Cutlass he sent us his own personal Exxon credit card so we could go to Gainsville for the Gator Nationals. He was a hell of a guy and I will never forget how he treated two nobodys from Virginia that came up to visit him in 1973. He and two engineers Ron and Tom ( can't remember their last names but bled Oldsmobile performance ) took us to a place called the Red Rail Inn in Lansing and had some guy named Johnny Walker do his best to kill us. Great times and even greater people.

[glen myers]

umm...wasn't exactly "two nobodys from virginia"
you sure made MY Olds wake up ha ha
how are ya buddy?