Cadillac History 1970 - Amazing Classic Cars

Cadillac Models & History1970

Atotal of 238,745 Cadillacs, built for the 1970 model run, set an all-time divisional record. Calendar year sales totals were off the mark, however, due to a major G.M. strike. They peaked at just 152,859 units. George R. Elges became general manager of Cadillac Division this year. Sales of the new Cadillac line began September 18, 1969. The optional Trackmaster skid control system was made available for the Eldorado, subsequent to initial model introduction.

For 1970, there were five models: Calais (two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), DeVille (two-door coupe, two-door convertible, four-door sedan, and four-door hardtop sedan), Fleetwood Sixty-Special (four-door sedan and four-door brougham), Fleetwood Seventy-five (four-door sedan, four-door limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.), and Fleetwood Eldorado (two-door hardtop coupe)

I. D. NUMBERS

Vehicle identification numbers were stamped on the top of the instrument panel this year and were visible through the windshield
The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
The first symbol was a number “6” to indicate “Cadillac”
The second and third symbol represented the series code number
- “82” for Calais
- “83” for DeVille
- “93” for Eldorado
- “80” for Fleetwood 60 Special
- “81” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
- “97” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- “98” for Commercial chassis
The fourth and fifth symbol represented the Fisher Body Division Code
- 23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
- 33 = 4-dr limo sedan
- 47 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
- 49 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
- 67 = 2-dr convertible
- 69 = 4-dr sedan
- 90 = commerical chassis
The sixth symbol was a number “0” for 1970 model year
The seventh symbol was a letter to represent the assembly plant
- Q = Detroit, Michigan
- E = Linden, New Jersey
The next six numbers beginning with 100001 at each assembly plant was the sequential serial number

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

Engine	V8 472cc (7.7L)	V8 500cc (8.2L)
Crankcase	4 or 5 qt	5 qt
Crankcase with new filter	5 or 6 qt	6 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining	25 or 26 pt	26 pt
Drive Axle	5 or 4.5 pt	4.5 pt
Fuel tank	26 gal (US)	24 gal (US)
Cooling with heater	21 qt	20 qt
Cooling with A/C	21 qt	20 qt
Heavy duty Cooling	25 qt	22 qt

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code	R	S
Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Fuel delivery	4 bbl	4 bbl
Manufacturer	Cadillac	Cadillac
Original Spark plug	R46N	R46N
Gap	0.035 in.	0.035 in.
Distributor Point Dwell	30°	30°
Distributor Point Gap	0.016 in.	0.016 in.
Ignition timing (BTDC)	8°	7½°
Intake valve opens (BTDC)	18°	18°
Fuel pump pressure	6 psi	6 psi
Idle speed	600 rpm	600 rpm

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

Part #	1100908	1100909	1100694	1100910
Field current @ 12 V	2.2 – 2.6	2.2 – 2.6	2.2 – 2.6	2.8 – 3.2
Output	42 amps	42 amps	55 amps	63 amps	130 amps
Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap	0.015 in.	0.015 in.	0.015 in.	0.015 in.	Transistor-Type
Regulator Field-Relay: Point Gap	0.030 in.	0.030 in.	0.030 in.	0.030 in.
Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close	1.5 – 3.2	1.5 – 3.2	1.5 – 3.2	1.5 – 3.2
Regulator Air Gap	0.060 in.	0.060 in.	0.060 in.	0.060 in.
Regulator Point Gap	0.014 in.	0.014 in.	0.014 in.	0.014 in.
Regulator Volts @ 75°F	13.5 – 14.4	13.5 – 14.4	13.5 – 14.4	13.5 – 14.4	13.5 – 14.4

BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS

Engine	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity	74	74
Battery Volts	12	12
Battery Terminal Grounded	Neg.	Neg.
Starter, Lock Test, Amps	Not Recommended	Not Recommended
Starter, Lock Test, Volts
Starter, Lock Test, Torque
Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps	70 – 99	70 – 99
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts	9	9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM	7800	7800
Starter, Brush Spring Tension	35 oz. min.	35 oz. min.

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code	R	S
Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Manufacturer	Cadillac	Cadillac
Fuel delivery	4 bbl	4 bbl
Horsepower	375@4400	400@4400
Torque	525@3000	550@3000
Bore x Stoke	4.300 in. x 4.060 in.	4.300 in. x 4.304 in.
Compression Ratio	10.00:1	10.0:1
Oil pressure	35 – 40 psi	34 – 40 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Main Brg Journal Dia.	3.250 in.	3.250 in.
Main Brg Oil Clearance	0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in.	0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in.
Shaft End-play	0.002 in. – 0.012 in.	0.002 in. – 0.012 in.
Thrust on No.	3	3

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Journal Dia.	2.5000 in.	2.5000 in.
Oil Clearance	0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in.	0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in.
Side Clearance	0.008 in. – 0.016 in.	0.008 in. – 0.016 in.

PISTON AND RING SPECS

Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Piston-Bore Clearance	0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in.	0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in.
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression	0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in.	0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in.
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression	0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in.	0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in.
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control	None (side sealing)	None (side sealing)
Ring Gap: Top Compression	0.013 in. – 0.025 in.	0.013 in. – 0.025 in.
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression	0.013 in. – 0.025 in.	0.013 in. – 0.025 in.
Ring Gap: Oil Control	0.015 in. – 0.055 in.	0.015 in. – 0.055 in.

VALVE SPECS

Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Seat Angle	45°	44°
Face Angle	45°	44°
Spring Test Pressure	160 lb @ 1.50 in.	160 lb @ 1.50 in.
Spring Installed Height	1¹⁵⁄₁₆ in. (1.671875 in.)	1¹⁵⁄₁₆ in. (1.9375 in.)
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake	0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in.	0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in.
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust	0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in.	0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in.
Stem Diameter: Intake	0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in.	0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in.
Stem Diameter: Exhaust	0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in.	0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in.

TORQUE SPECS

Engine type	V8-472cc (7.7L)	V8-500cc (8.2L)
Cyl. Head Bolts	115 ft.lb	115 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts	40 ft.lb	40 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts	90 ft.lb	90 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt	Press fit	Press fit
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts	75 ft.lb	75 ft. lb
Intake Manifold	30 ft.lb	30 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold	35 ft.lb	35 ft. lb

CARBURETOR SPECS

Carb ID	7047030 (4MV)
Float Level	¹⁄₄ in.
Pump Rod	¹¹⁄₃₂ in.
Choke Unloader	0.300 in.
Fast Idle Speed	1925 rpm

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS

Feature	Eldorado	Full size
Caster Range	1½°N – 2½°N	1½°N – ½°N
Caster Pref.	2°N	1°N
Camber LH wheel Range	³⁄₈°N – ³⁄₈°P	³⁄₈°N – ³⁄₈°P
Camber LH wheel Pref.	0°	0°
Camber RH wheel Range	³⁄₈°N – ³⁄₈°P	³⁄₈°N – ³⁄₈°P
Camber RH wheel Pref.	0°	0°
Toe-In	0 – ¹⁄₈ in.	¹⁄₈ in. – ¹⁄₄ in.
Steering Axis Inclination	11°	6°

HISTORICAL NOTES

1970 Cadillac Notes

A total of 238,745 Cadillacs, built for the 1970 model run, set an all-time divisional record.
Calendar year sales totals were off the mark, however, due to a major G.M. strike.
They peaked at just 152,859 units.
George R. Elges was general manager
Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
Sales of the new Cadillac line began September 18, 1969.
The optional Trackmaster skid control system was made available for the Eldorado, subsequent to initial model introduction.
Cadillac production figures

Calais19,822 (increased 7,397)

Sedan de Ville90,504 (increased 9,656)

Coupe de Ville76,043 (increased 10,288)

de Ville convertible15,172 (decreased 1,273)

Eldorado23,842 (increased 509)

Series 6018,651 (decreased 1,194)

Series 754,622 (increased 36)

1970 Automotive Notes

A recession in 1970 affects new-car sales so that the volume drops below 7.6 million cars
60% of all new cars are air conditioned
All cars are required to have anti-theft steering-column, ignition locks, and both front and rear side marker lights
New features include front seatbacks that unlatch when the door is opened, tamper-proof odometers, and electrically heated rear defrosters
The US federal government awards contracts to develop a safety vehicle in which passengers could survive a 50-mph crash
Imports, esp. from Japan, record 14.6% of all US sales
GM news:
- GM produces three V-8 engines to give low emisions: 402-cid (6.6 litre), 454-cid (7.4 litre), 500-cid (8.2 litre)
- GM signs a $50-million license agreement with Curtiss-Wright Corp. for the rights to develop a Wankel rotary engine
- Eldorado, Riviera, and Toronado get electronic skid-control braking
- Eldorado’s 500-cid V-8 (8.2 litre) with 400 bhp is the world’s biggest production-car engine
- Cadillac offers a power sunroof and signal-seeking radio
- Chevrolet sells 130,657 Monte Carlo personal luxury coupe with its six-foot long hood — longest in Chevy’s history
- Chevrolet’s 350-cid (5.7 litre), 300-bhp V-8 (4.9 litre) is now standard in Avanti II, whose styling remains the same
- Full-size Chevys and Corvettes get the big-block 454 V-8 option
- Monte Carlo gets a SS 454 option
- Chevy II changes its name to Nova
- The Chevelle is facelifted to resemble the full-size Chevrolet
- Buick introduces the new GSX muscle car
- The Buick GSX “Stage 1” will top 100 mph in the quarter-mile
- Most Buicks come standard or available with the 455-cid V-8 (7.5 litre) producing 350 or 370 bhp
- Because Pontiac offers only full-size cars, they lose nearly 180,00 sales
- In California, station wagons have plastic gasoline tanks
- GM endures a 67-day strike as the 1971 model year begins
- Edward N. Cole was president of GM
- James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM
Ford news:
- Ford out-sells Chevrolet by over half a million cars
- Late in 1970, Ford abandons most racing efforts
- Ford promotes its 12-month warranty with no mileage limitation
- Last year for Ford Falcon
- Ford Maverick sells over half a million at $1995
- The all-new Lincoln Continental sedan and hardtop are built on body-on-frame construction and conventional fron-hinged rear doors
- Lincoln-Mercury dealers sell the German-built Capri as a “mini-ponycar”
Chrysler news:
- Chrysler enters the subcompact market by importing the British-made Plymouth Cricket and the Japanese-made Dodge Colt.
- Chrysler introduces the 300-H “Hurst” hardtop
- Chrysler offers an optional headlight-delay sistem
- Chrysler introduces the limited-edition Cordoba hardtop coupe and sedan
- Last year for Chrysler’s Newport and 300 convertibles
- Last year for the Dodge Coronet R/T of which only 2319 hardtops and 296 convertibles were built
- Dodge introduces the Challenger ponycar to challenge Camaro and Mustang
- Plymouth Barracuda is similar to the Challenger
- Plymouth adds the Duster based on the Valiant as well as the winged Road Runner Superbird
- Imperial drops the Crown series, but the LeBaron continues
AMC news:
- AMC replaces the Rambler American with the compact Hornet
- In April, AMC introduces the first American subcompact: the Gremlin at $1879
- The windshields on the AMC Javelin and AMX have a cemically treated inner pane to reduce the possibility of facial lacerations upon impact
- AMC acquires Kaiser-Jeep Corp. to become the leading four-wheel-drive vehicle producer
- AMC’s Rebel “The Machine” runs a strong 390-cid (6.4 litre), 340-bhp V-8 (5.6 litre) and displays wild muscle-car striping
Other makes news:
- Excalibur Series II debuts with a roadster and phaeton using a 111-inch wheelbase and Chevy’s 300-bhp, 350-cid V-8 (5.7 litre)
Top American Automobile Corporations for 1970