Cadillac History 1977 - Amazing Classic Cars

Cadillac Models & History 1977

Cadillac’s 75th anniversary year arrived with a shock to traditionalists, as full-size models endured an eye-opening downsizing. “You must drive it,” the ads declared, “to see why we call it the next generation of the luxury car.” The new C-bodied DeVille, Brougham and limousine were 8 to 12 in. shorter, 3-1/2 in. narrower, and an average of 950 pounds lighter than their massive predecessors. Still, many models managed to keep the same leg room in front and rear (or even more). Only Eldorado carried on in its mammoth form a while longer, and Seville had entered life in 1975 with contemporary dimensions. Even the commercial chassis shrunk, from 157.5 down to 144.5 inches in wheelbase, requiring funeral car and ambulance suppliers to create some new bodies.

All models except Seville carried a new lighter, smaller 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8 engine. That powerplant emerged as the result of testing 110 experimental engines. The huge 500 V-8 was gone. Electronic fuel injection was optional in DeVille, Brougham, and Eldorado. Standard Turbo Hydra-matic fed power to low-ratio drive axles. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard on Seville, Eldorado and Brougham. Astroroofs and sunroofs were again available. Carryover special editions included Coupe and Sedan DeVille d’Elegance and Brougham ‘Elegance.

One new special edition joined the lineup: the Eldorado Custom Biarritz. All sedans now had pillars and framed door glass. (The ‘true’ four-door hardtop was gone for good.) With Calais departed, DeVille took over as the cheapest Caddy (base price under $10,000). Dash gauges could be pulled out from the front for servicing. All models had a new two-spoke steering wheel — but those were wide spokes. A new door design offered better hold-open qualities. Anti-corrosion treatment on all models included zinc-rich primers, hot melt sealers, wax coating, Plastisol-R-, and deadeners. Cadillac also expanded the use of Zincrometal-R- and bi-metal (stainless steel on aluminum), corrosion-resistant inner front fender panels, and elimination of areas that trapped dirt and water. Wheels and tires were now match-mounted for smoothest ride.

For 1977, there were five models:

DeVille (two-door coupe and four-door sedan)
Fleetwood Brougham (four-door sedan)
Fleetwood Limousine (four-door sedan, four-door formal limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.)
Eldorado (two-door hardtop coupe)
Seville (four-door sedan)

I. D. DATA

All Cadillacs again had a 13-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the forward lower edge of the windshield frame, visible through the windshield.

The first digit (“6”) identifies the Cadillac Division.

The second symbol denotes car line/series:

“S” Seville
“D” DeVille
“B” Fleetwood Brougham
“F” Fleetwood limousine
“L” Eldorado
“Z” commercial chassis

Digits three and four indicate body type:

“23” 4-door limousine with auxiliary seat
“33” 4-door formal limousine with partition window
“47” 2-door coupe
“69” 4-door pillared sedan
“90” commercial chassis (number identifies name of body builder)

Next comes the engine code:

“R” V8-350 EFI
“S” V8-425 4 Bbl.
“T” V8-425 EFI

Symbol six indicates model year (“7” 1977).

Seventh is an assembly plant code:

“Q” Detroit
“E” Linden, NJ

At the end is a six-digit sequence number:

running from 100001 to 400000 for C-bodies and Eldos built in Detroit
running from 450001 to 550000 for Sevilles from Detroit
running from 600001 to 690000 for C-bodies built in Linden

A nine-digit derivative of the VIN appears on the engine.

A Body Number Plate has codes for model year, model number, trim combination, body number (assembly plant and sequence built), paint color(s), and a number-letter code that shows the date built.

That plate is mounted on the upper left cowl between hood rear seal and windshield except Eldorado, on left side of cowl next to hood rear bumper; and Seville, riveted to cowl above evaporator case.

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

Engine	V8 350cc (5.7L)	V8 425cc (7.0L)
Crankcase	4 qt	4 or 5 qt
Crankcase with new filter	5 qt	5 or 6 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining	8 pt	8 or 10 pt
Drive Axle	5 pt	5 or 4 pt
Fuel tank	21 gal(US)	24.5 or 27.5 gal(US)
Cooling with heater	17.2 qt	21 or 26 qt
Cooling with A/C	17.2 qt	21 or 26 qt
Heavy duty Cooling	NA	NA qt

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code	R	S	T
Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-425cc(7.0L)	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Fuel delivery	4 bbl	4 bbl	EFI
Manufacturer	Oldsmobile	Cadillac	Cadillac
Original Spark plug	R47SX	R45NSX	R45NSX
Gap	0.060 in.	0.060 in	0.060 in
Distributor	Electronic	Electronic	Electronic
Ignition timing (BTDC)	10° (6°)	10°@1400 rpm	18°@1400 rpm
Intake valve opens (BTDC)	22	21	21
Fuel pump pressure	5¼ to 6½ psi	5¼ to 6½ psi	39 min.
Idle speed	650 rpm	675 rpm	675 rpm

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

Part #	1102380	1101023	1101033	1117152
Field current @ 12 V	4 – 4.5	4 – 4.5	4 – 4.5	4 – 4.5
Output	63 amps	80 amps	80 amps	145 amps
Regulator	Solid state	Solid state	Solid state	Solid state
Volts @ 75°	13.8 – 14.8	13.8 – 14.8	13.8 – 14.8	13.8 – 14.8

BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS

Engine	V8-350cc (5.7L)	V8-425cc (7.0L)
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity	3500 watts cranking power @ 0°F
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	65 – 95	65 – 95
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts	9	9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM	7000 – 10500	7000 – 10500
Starter, Brush Spring Tension	35 oz. min.	35 oz. min.

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code	R	S	T
Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-425cc(7.0L)	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Manufacturer	Oldsmobile	Cadillac	Cadillac
Fuel delivery	EFI	4 bbl	EFI
Horsepower	[email protected]	[email protected]	[email protected]
Torque	[email protected]	[email protected]	[email protected]
Bore x Stoke	4.057 x 3.385	4.082 x 4.060	4.082 x 4.060
Compression Ratio	8.00:1	8.50:1	8.50:1
Oil pressure	35 psi	35 psi	35 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Main Brg Journal Dia.	2.4985 – 2.4995 (No. 1 2.4988 – 2.4998 in)	3.250
Main Brg Oil Clearance	0.0005 – 0.0021 (No. 5 0.0015 – 0.0031in)	0.0001 – 0.0026
Shaft End-play	0.004 – 0.014	0.002 – 0.012
Thrust on No.	3	3

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Journal Dia.	2.1238 – 2.1248	2.5000
Oil Clearance	0.0004 – 0.0033	0.0005 – 0.0028
Side Clearance	0.006 – 0.020	0.008 – 0.020

PISTON AND RING SPECS

Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Piston-Bore Clearance	0.0010 – 0.0020	0.0005 – 0.0006	0.0006 – 0.0014
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression	0.0020 – 0.0040	0.005 – 0.007	0.0017 – 0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression	0.0020 – 0.0040	0.0018 – 0.0038	0.0017 – 0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control	0.0006 – 0.0098	0.0078 max.	None (side sealing)
Ring Gap: Top Compression	0.010 – 0.023	0.015 – 0.025	0.013 – 0.023
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression	0.010 – 0.023	0.015 – 0.025	0.013 – 0.023
Ring Gap: Oil Control	0.015 – 0.055	0.015 – 0.055	0.015 – 0.055

VALVE SPECS

Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Seat Angle	31°(exh)	45°(intake); 31° (exhaust)	45°
Face Angle	30° (exh)	44°(intake); 30° (exhaust)	44° (exh)
Spring Test Pressure	187 lb @ 1.27 in.	151 lb @ 1.30 in.	160 lb @ 1.50 in.
Spring Installed Height	1-43/64″	1-43/64″	1¹⁵⁄₁₆ in.
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake	0.0010 – 0.0027	0.0010 – 0.0027	0.0010 – 0.0027
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust	0.0015 – 0.0032	0.0015 – 0.0032	0.0010 – 0.0027
Stem Diameter: Intake	0.3429	0.3429	0.3416
Stem Diameter: Exhaust	0.3424	0.3424	0.3416

TORQUE SPECS

Engine type	V8-350cc(5.7L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel	V8-425cc(7.0L)
Cyl. Head Bolts	130 ft.lb	130 ft. lb	90 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts	42 ft.lb	42 ft. lb	40 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts	80 ft.lb (120 on # 5)	120 ft. lb	90 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt	310 ft.lb	200 – 310 ft.lb	Press fit
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts	60 ft.lb	60 ft. lb	75 ft. lb
Intake Manifold	40 ft.lb	40 ft. lb	30 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold	25 ft.lb	25 ft. lb	22 ft. lb

CARBURETOR SPECS

Carb ID	17057232 (M4ME)	17057233 (M4ME)	17057230 (M4ME)	17057231 (M4ME)	17057530 (M4ME)	17057533 (M4ME)
Float Level	13/32 in	13/32 in	13/32 in	17/32 in	13/32 in	13/32 in
Air Valve Spring	1/2 turn	1/2 turn	1/2 turn	1/2 turn	1/2 turn	1/2 turn
Pump Rod	3/8 in	3/8 in	7/16 in	3/8 in	7/16 in	7/16 in
Primary Vacuum Break	0.140 in	0.140 in	0.140 in	0.140 in	0.150 in	0.150 in
Secondary Vacuum Break	0.140in	0.140in	0.140 in	0.140in	0.150in	0.150 in
Choke Rod	0.080 in	0.080 in	0.080 in	0.080 in	0.080 in	0.080 in
Choke Unloader	0.230 in	0.230 in	0.230 in	0.230 in	0.230 in	0.230 in
Fast Idle Speed	1400 rpm	1400 rpm	1400 rpm	1400 rpm	1500 rpm	1500 rpm

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS

Feature	Eldorado	Full size	Seville
Caster Range	1°N – 1°P	2°P – 4°P	1°P – 3°P
Caster Pref.	0°	3°P	2°P
Camber LH wheel Range	¾°N – ¾°P	¼°N – 1¼°P	¾°N – ¾°P
Camber LH wheel Pref.	0°	½°	0°
Camber RH wheel Range	¾°N – ¾°P	¼°N – 1¼°P	¾°N – ¾°P
Camber RH wheel Pref.	0°	½°	0°
Toe-In	0″	0″	1/16″
Steering Axis Inclination	6°	10-19/32°	10-5/8°

HISTORICAL NOTES

1977 Cadillac Notes

Introduced: September 23, 1976.
Model year production (U.S.): 358,487 for a 3.9 percent share of the industry total.
Calendar year production (U.S.): 369,254.
Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 335,785 for a 3.7 percent market share.
Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 328,129.
Edward C. Kennard was general manager
Robert J. Templin was chief engineer
Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
Cadillac executives didn’t appreciate Ford’s advertising claim that an LTD was now as good as a Cadillac.
But the new smaller Caddies were selling well, at least at the beginning.
Sales of 328,129 units scored 9.5 percent over the 1976 record.
Model year production also beat the 1976 score, by 16 percent.
Rumors early in the year suggested that Cadillacs might be “upsized” within a couple of years; but that didn’t seem likely in view of the need to meet stricter Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.
Now that the Fleetwood Seventy-Five was gone, conversion companies stepped up production of “stretch” limousines.
Moloney Coachbuilders (in Illinois) offered a 40-inch stretch of Brougham for under $15,000 (plus the cost of the car, of course).
Phaeton Coach Corp. of Dallas, and the California-based American Custom Coach-works did similar work.
The latter also created custom convertibles based on the Coupe DeVille chassis, while an Ohio firm (Convertibles, Inc.) turned out ragtop Eldorado conversions.
Cadillac production figures

Sedan de Ville95,421 (increased 27,744)

Coupe de Ville138,750 (increased 24,268)

Eldorado47,344 (decreased 1,840)

Seville45,060 (increased 1,288)

Series 6028,000 (increased 3,500)

Series 753,913 (increased 589)

1977 Automotive Notes

Imported-car sales reach two million
President Carter appoints Joan Claybrook (colleague of Ralph Nader) as head of the National Traffic Safety Administration
US Dept. of Transportation says all cars beginning 1982 must have air bags
GM news:
- Elliott M. Estes was president of GM
- Thomas A. Murphy was chairman of the board at GM
- Chevrolet outsells Ford by over 700,000 followed by Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Buick
- Chevrolet adds compact Concours as an upmarket Nova
- Full-size Buick gets a new 403-cid V-8 (6.6 litre) option
- Cadillac gets a more efficient 425-cid V-8 (7 litre) engine
- Vega’s poor reputation results in few sales and is removed from lineup
- Monza is similar to Vega and remains for a few more years
- Mid-year Camaro Z28 has less power than early 1970’s but still sells well
- Oldsmobile’s 455-cid V-8 (7.4 litre) is replaced with a 403-cid V-8 (6.6 litre)
- Mid-season Pontiac introduces Phoenix based on the Ventura
- Pontiac’s 2.5-litre “Iron Duke” four-cylinder engines goes into Astre, Sunbird, Phoenix, Ventura and other GM models
- Mid-year Pontiac brings out a “Cam Am” a Cameo White Le Mans Sport Coupe with T/A 4.03-cid V-8 (6.6 litre) Rally handling package, special trim, etc.
Ford news:
- Mid-size Torino is now LTD II
- New Thunderbird built on mid-size LTD II platform to replace Ford Elite
- Lincoln introduces the Versailles as an upscale Granada/Monarch to compete with Cadillac Seville
- Lincoln introduces Continental Mark V which is lighter than the Mark IV and sells better
- Cougar name replaces Montego for all mid-size coupes, sedans, and wagons
Chrysler news:
- Plymouth sales in sixth place, but Dodge moves up from eighth to seventh
- Chrysler introduces mid-size LeBaron and Diplomat based on the compact Aspen/Volare
- In Canada, Plymouth offers a Diplomat clone called Caravelle
- Full-size Monaco is called Royal Monaco; mid-size cars are now Monaco
AMC news:
- Gremlin gets a new eggcrate grille and an Audi-designed 4-cylinder engine
- Pacer adds a 3-door wagon
Other makes news:
Top American Automobile Corporations for 1977