Now was time to paint the frame. I used Eastwood Co. paints for the entire job. I laid down their Rust Encapsilator for a base then sprayed their Chassis Black over it for a top coat.  Process involved painting one side then flipping the frame over to paint the other side.  It turned out real well.  Only beef is color is not consistent from can to can.  Makes for a better look in the end though, because the factory didnt use the same unit of paint on each component.  They came painted from their prospective area or vender.

Underside painted with Chassis Black

Next was the task of cleaning each suspension piece, priming them and painting them.  Some pieces I just could not use.  The front springs were worn and one was bent pretty bad at the top.  The upper control arms in front were carved up from an overzealous mechanic using an air chissel to remove the ball joints. The lowers were notched for bigger shocks.  The rear lower arms were pitted so bad I just couldnt bring myself to put them back on. They are specific to 442s, as they are boxed. They are not boxed from end to end though. They are only boxed where the sway bar mounts to them. The later style are boxed from end to end.

My real problem was the rear end itself.  After having it sand blasted I found that one of the mounting ears for the upper control arm was cracked.  Cracked right in half, all the way through. This was a huge problem.  It probably cracked when the factory pressed the bushing in.  Its probably been that way for 40 years.  It might last another 40 years, but I didnt like the idea of putting it back in the way it was.  The first plan was to fix it.  I had someone weld it but it cracked as soon as I put a new bushing in it. I decided that since I have invested a ton of effort, time, and money in this car, I wouldnt risk all of it by putting that cracked rear end back in it. I called a guy I know that has a stockpile of Oldsmobile parts.  He had a rear from a 65 442 4 speed car. It already had been sand blasted but needed an overhaul.  That was fine because it was a single track rear and I planned to put the posi from my broke rear into it.   I did just that and now have a rear that doesnt have a broken case.

Rear end after I smoothed some pitting and painted it with Chassis Black