Hopefully what I have to state will put this all to rest. I have an official
Oldsmobile document that was mailed to me by the late Helen Early (the 1st
lady of Oldsmobile). I received this document as a reply to my letter dated to
her in 1982.
At that time, I owned a Platinum Cutlass W-31 4-speed (Hustoldz Vinny used to
see it in my driveway), and inquired about the rarity of the W-31 model year.
Ms. Early, back now in 1982 stated "since there were only 1,352 made I would
hang on to it if I were you". Of course, like an idiot . . .I sold the car a
couple of years later.
The document she sent me, broke down the model types and production for each
of the years the Ram Rod 350 / W-31 were produced. (How many of you know that
in 1968 there were 30 Ram Rod 350 convertibles and in 1969 there were 26
convertibles produced)? Per the document from Oldsmobile, unfortunately there
were
no Rallye 350's mentioned in 1970's production. Just FYI, here is the
breakdown in 1970:
F85 Club Coupe 207
Cutlass Club Coupe 116
Cutlass Hardtop Coupe 1,029
Total 1,352
This info was given to Brad at OCA and was published in the December 2005 JWO
issue)
Regarding the harmonic balancer . . .the W-31 should measure 7 1/8 - outside
diameter
1 7/8 - total thickness
5/8 - front step
5/16 smaller step in back
There are still some rumors that Olds did produce some W-31 engines in Rallye
350's, but if they did they would not have been badged "W-31" along with the
Rallye 350 decals, and would not have anything written, stamped, labeled or
badged with W-30.
My 2-cents for what it's worth . . .
Jim
Long Island, NY
1969 442 W-30 automatic Trophy Blue
1970 442 W-30 4-speed Rally Red
1970 Cutlass W-31 4-speed Platinum
1970 442 W-30 4-speed
1970 C/S Convertible Reef Turquoise (currently for sale)
1970 442 automatic Matador Red (currently for sale)
