Joe Janos' (JOZW30) 1972 W30... Wow!

[Dave Rifkin]

Beautiful car; one question though..........you put a W31 cam in a W30 car? I thought the W31 was a 350 and the W30 was a 455? I don't know a whole lot about Oldsmobiles so you'll have to forgive me if that's a stupid question.

[g503jeep]

All engines 1968 and up, 455 400 403 350 307 260, use the same lifter bank angle of 39°. the earlier engines
had 45 degree bank angle,same bank angle you can use the cam from any engine
you can put the same cam from any engine displament,after all their is no size diference externally ,like in a chevy big block or small block, i think the 455 is only noticed by a casting hump diferent than a small dispaclement

[kwhizz]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Nice Detail work..........Beautiful car.......

Ken

[JOZW30]

Thanks for the compliments, and it's definitely not a stupid question. The cams can be swapped between the 350, 400, and 455 (not sure about others).

I was really struggling trying to figure how to build this motor (my first one by myself). I wanted to wake up the de-tuned 72 a bit, but still be "drivable".

The W31 cam was pretty radical in the small block, But it seems to work really well in the 455. The car has a little bit of a rough idle, but is pretty smooth through the first half of the pedal. Seems to just come alive when you get past half way. I was a little woried about how that cam would behave, but it's really fun (old school all the way!)

[olredalert]

Joe,,,, Beautiful W30. I love the color. I brought my brothers 71 W30 home from the dealership brand new and they were just great cars. Rode and drove so nice. Unfortunatly he kind of ruined his with some bad choices as far as day-two stuff was concerned. Did 72 W30s not have the red inner fenders??? The 72s are just rare enough that I cant remember ever looking at one close up.........Bill S

[JOZW30]

Thanks Bill! The color is called Flame Orange. No red inner fenders for 72 (rumors are 10 early 72 W30s got the 71 left overs, but it would be tough to prove).

Still have a few little pieces-parts to replace or redo, and I'd really love to find a set of steel wheels. Although it sounds like everyone else is looking for them too.

[TimG]

Well, Joe, you've got my heart pumping now. Same color (Flame Orange) as the '72 442 I talked my mom into buying new when I was 16. Ours was a black interior, too. Man, that brings back memories. I'd love another one.

[71-LS6]

Joe, I love your car, what a ride. I had no idea that Oldsmobile ever offered an orange paint option like that. Did the 72's have a dual disc clutch assembly?

[JOZW30]

Steve,

No dual clutch (W-37 option code I think). Pretty rare option I think.

I do have the GM Canada paper work with all of the info on how the car let the factory.

Not too many options checked off at all on this one.