1970 Oldsmobile L74 “QB” Code DNA & Discussion

In this episode we authenticate my personal 1970 Cutlass S "QB" code. Listing the key factors making the QB unique in the 1970s. Maybe you had or have one! Feel free to share your story with us! If you have or had a QB coded Oldsmobile visit our QB registry and share your info so we can collect as much data for the 531 cars built.
#oldsmobile#wmachine#restoration#hotrod#classiccars#musclecars#fabrication#welding#vietnam#cutlass#1969#auto#classic#350rocket#v8#w31
QB Code registry: / 312781620442744
Email Us: [e-mail]
Facebook: / theautorefinery
Instagram: @theautorefinery

[@joedipasquale4378]

I have a QB- like many… I’m learning. I’ve found many don’t know so about this motor. Mine is a cutlass supreme four-speed M 20 transmission convertible. No AC I was fortunate to find the Bill tag and all numbers matching. I had no idea when I was buying this while I was getting discovered it because of Joe in our Facebook page very cool car and I’m gonna do my best to restore it to the best of my abilities.

[@theautorefinery]

Thank you for tuning in and we’re slowly building that list of the ones that still survive today! I’m glad you’re on the QB registry and hope this video is informative in the restoration of your cutlass. Any questions feel free to ask and keep us posted on your progress! -Joe

[@joedipasquale4378]

Did QBs get a different head than a standard LS74…. I’ve heard QBs have the same hermonic balancer as LS74. Do you have any insight that as well

[@theautorefinery]

Technically speaking yes. To the best of my knowledge, the QB coded engines received a unique cylinder head assembly in that, it carried a unique actual part number, due to being a specially assembled (loaded) head with what is surmised to have been upgraded valve springs as compared to standard L74 350's. And Yes, the QB"s used the very same harmonic balancer as all other 350 engines QI, and QV codes but NOT the same balancer as the W-31 QX. I hope this helps with more clarity. -steve @@joedipasquale4378

[@jerrywhaley6397]

@@theautorefinery I can definitely find that out for you.. I have books that come from Oldsmobile that are not available to the public that go through every single part on the engine. An example w30 only used Muskegon piston rings.

[@theautorefinery]

Good morning Jerry. I'm always eager and interested in learning more. I would be more than grateful for any factory details that you may be able to provide. If you'd like email me directly you can at theautorefinery@gmailcom Thanks so much for your participation!! -steve

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Professor Steve , very good information 👍👍👍👍

[@theautorefinery]

He is an encyclopedia isn’t he!? I have to store this info away learning from the best. -Joe P.S. what is your email? Feel free to email us with it. [e-mail]

[@jamesdevico6622]

The professor! Excellent!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@jamesdevico6622 Mr. B. Here ! Add Joe as Information Video producer ! 📠🎥📠🎥

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@theautorefinery Mr. B. Here ! Sir you are the Video & 📠

[@drewbiedoobie1416]

new subscriber. i dig your stuff. had a 72 442 with a 350 4bbl 4 speed. fun car. plenty of giddyup. Wish I still had it

[@theautorefinery]

Well Thank You and welcome aboard! Glad you enjoy some of what we're up to. Your 72 sounds like a great time. A good friend of mine has a beautiful 72 442 4 speed. Right after high school, I bought a dark green Cutlass S as a driver . 2bbl, auto but what a nice car. Sold it to a guy I knew to pay for the engine build in the W-31 a long time ago and have lost track of it. I'd buy it back in a second!. Thanks again for watching and for subscribing. -steve

[@louiskats5116]

Goodday Steve, What a great informative video thoroughly understood everything listening to you all I was doing was nodding my head & I mention the W 32 at the same time you did. You blew me away when you mentioned the gorgeous Green 1970 Cutless L74 QB code that went through Mecum Auction about 2 to 3 years ago. I have saved that Oldsmobile on my screen saver & that Oldsmobile is absolutely the most stunning non W Machine I have laid eyes on by pictures of the internet. A bad wolf Oldsmobile in Sheep clothing with the matching colour rims & hupcaps. What astonished me is that it didn't sell at Mecum & the bid goes on somewhere in the $ 35,000 marks. If I had the coin I would buy that Oldsmobile before any other Oldsmobile even a W 31. Great video learnt alot thoroughly enjoyed it. Cheers Louis Kats your number 1 Fan in Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 🇺🇸 👍

[@theautorefinery]

Well Thank You very much for this message. I am so glad you found this easy to listen to. When Joe was looking for his W-31 before he found "Mr. Jones " we found his QB coded Cutlass. Very cool car for sure even though its a 3 speed (haha). I agree with you that the green one is stunning. Interesting that you prefer that over a W-31. There is some intrigue about these QB's isn't there? Until next time.... -steve

[@mauriliogil6955]

Man it would be nice to have a video of our sx cars

[@theautorefinery]

Those SX cars could make a pretty cool video for sure. The often overlooked option Y79 torque monster. We appreciate you taking the time to watch this one. Be sure to check our or W-31 DNA video from last year if you haven't already. Stay Tuned -steve

[@mauriliogil6955]

@@theautorefinery big olds fan I’ve watched every video I’m 34 years old grew up around them love the work you do and appreciate the passion go 🚀🚀🚀

[@adamweaver5048]

I have a 1970 Cutlass Supreme M20 4 speed made in the first week of October 1969 in Lansing. It’s a QV with the 7040250 carb and small cam from factory. Strangely, no A/C, power brakes or power steering on mine.

[@theautorefinery]

Good morning. We really appreciate this information. Yours sounds like a very interesting car. and, for sure yours was built prior to the debut of the "QB" coded L74's But a supreme with no comfort options but with an L74 and stick.- very cool. Any idea what rear end your car has? Thanks so much for watching and participating. -steve Happy 4TH!!!!

[@adamweaver5048]

Mine has the SE code 3.23 open rear end. The 3.08 was standard with the M20 and the 3.23 open was a no charge upgrade. It’s Sherwood green with white vinyl top, ivory interior (which was black and white two tone). It also has a center console, AM radio and SS1 wheels. I bought the car from the original who saved up money and paid cash for it but had to go stingy with the options the stay within budget. His friend bought a ‘69 442 4 speed new and couldn’t afford the insurance on it and had to sell about a year later. The friend told this guy to get one of the basic cutlass models with a small block and 4 speed to beat the insurance costs of the time. Must’ve been good advice since he owned it for 48 years. He liked the formal roofline of the Supreme and went that route.

[@jerrywhaley6397]

There was another cam in 70 that was 472 286 intake 286 in these factory notes that says poor acceleration ramp.

[@SPSteve]

I've been an Olds guy for 50 years. Never much of a chalk mark date code guy, always a hot rodder. It's nice to think that Olds would have spiced up the stick Rallye's a bit. The 66-69's probably didn't use the same cam since the lifter bank angle changed from 45 degrees to 39 degrees in 68. They may have the same specs. I currently have an 02C 4 speed Rallye I'm going through.

[@theautorefinery]

You know that's a good point ! A very good point as illustrated by the different part numbers for cams with very same specs. Heres an example. 1966 W-30 cam same specs as the W-31 cam.... Part# 397328 (66 W-30)- vs Part # 402194 (68-70 W-31) Thanks so much for pointing this out. Stay Tuned. -steve

[@OutOfOrderGarage]

I have a QB. I always wondered when I got it and thought it had a different cam swapped in, but the original owner who sold it to me swore it was original. He was right as I learned later. Mine is a 70 Cutlass S hardtop that was custom ordered to replace a 70 442 that was stolen. They wanted a bit of performance without the looks. It’s azure blue with dark blue vinyl top, cloth blue bench interior, 4 speed, PS, AC, FE2, 14x7 plain wheels with dog dishes, and 3.08 anti spin. The only thing they should have ordered was power discs; it only has manual drums! It dropped a valve many years ago and was rusty, so it got parked. I still have it. It ran 15.60 at 89 MPH. By comparison most 350 ATs ran 16.20 at 83.

[@theautorefinery]

Good morning. Thanks so much for this! Great story. Maybe you can email us directly and send us some pictures? What, if any paperwork do you have? Would love to know the production date. Hope to hear back soon. Thank for watching. -steve

[@OutOfOrderGarage]

I have no paperwork unless the build sheet is under the back seat; I’ll have to look. Production date is 03D (4th week of March) I’m sending a few pictures.

[@louiskats5116]

Goodday Steve, That Oldsmobile 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Holiday Coupe 1 of 531 Produced Lot T205 Indy 2020 July 10 - 18 What a absolutely awesome Oldsmobile recommend everyone check it out Cheers Louis Kats your number 1 Fan in Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 🇺🇸

[@rockford8915]

I own a QB car; a burgundy hardtop S model, completely optioned out like a W-31 including factory ram air hood, console, rallye pac, sport mirrors, sport wheels, dual exhaust, heavy duty suspension. Does have power brakes too. My theory is these cars would really be under the radar for insurance purposes, even more than a W-31. Just a theory.

[@theautorefinery]

Good morning and thank you for taking the time to tell us about your car. Is it possible that I've seen pictures of this car on a particular Olds Forum? Maybe dusty in a garage? I trust you've seen some of Joe's Burgundy Mist QB. Yours is an interesting theory for sure. With only 531 QB coded cars built, I sometimes wonder what the Olds engineers were really expecting to accomplish here. It sure is an interesting topic as practical logic would imply that all stick Rallye 350's were to be QB's not leaving very many non Rallye - but regular Cutlass / F-85's L74 sticks to also receive the QB coded L74. Fun to play the production number game ...... Thanks again for watching and welcome aboard!!! Please help spread the word.. Happy Memorial Day Weekend.!!! -steve

[@jerrywhaley6397]

Oldsmobile always knew that racers back then in the 60s and 70s were going 4 speed

[@theautorefinery]

It sure seems that Olds understood the difference in cam profiles as it pertained to transmission selction. Thats why the 1969 w-31 ( and 68 Ram Rod 350) were only available in manual transmissions. It required a modded T350 and special stall converter to offer automatics for 1970. Of course the 1970 w-30 received different cams depending on the transmission selected. Thanks for playing along. -steve

[@jerrywhaley6397]

If you ordered a manual transmission with a with a 350 4 barrel you got 472 in of lift 285 intake 287

[@theautorefinery]

The 393859 .472 lift cam only came in 350 manual transmissions in the mid-late production run of 1970. -steve

[@bubbagump487]

I guess mine is the last documented at 05D

[@theautorefinery]

You may very well be! Have you checked out the QB registry on Facebook? Feel free to email us your info and I’ll add you on the list I have of what QBs still exist! Thanks for watching and commenting! -Joe

[@bubbagump487]

@@theautorefinery I am on the registry, it might be my car or one like it with the 05D build date. Mine is in pieces but complete with everything original, just have to get back into the work once things calm down

[@kurtheggelke8352]

What was the redline on the W-31? Just curious about no AC.

[@theautorefinery]

Hello there . The redline rpm for a W-31 engine is 6000 rpm. Peak horsepower was advertised at 325 hp at 5400 rpm. I can tell you from experience, that these engines can in fact rev to 6k. And yes - correct- Air Conditioning was not available in the W-31 Thank you so much for watching and playing along -steve

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍. Morning ! Having internet issues !

[@jerrywhaley6397]

All 350 no matter if they have a four-barrel or two-barrel with an automatic tranny have a 400 lift cam 250 intake duration 264 exhaust

[@theautorefinery]

That is correct. That's another example of why the cam in the 1970 QB coded engine is considered so unique. Thanks so much for watching and playing along. -steve

[@johndillinger8482]

that w31 rallye 350 crap is a stupid tall tale started by a dummy years ago.there was a green QB cutlass that low 14s in pure stock,was sold at mecum for 45k,i believe

[@theautorefinery]

Good morning. Yeah I think the QB stick / QV auto difference may be part of where some the confusion stemmed from. That green QB Cutlass is a great example of a QB coded car isn't it? Thanks for watching as always. -steve