Cadillac Moels & Historyd 1979
For some,” the 1979 catalog proclaimed, a Cadillac was “an integral part of the good life. For some the fulfillment of a promise they made to themselves long ago.” Could be, but apart from a daringly downsized E-body Eldorado, the year-brought few stunning announcements. A new electronic-tuning AM/FM stereo radio with signal seeker and scanner included digital display of time and station frequencies. A new convex remote-control right mirror to increase the field of view was standard on Broughams and limos, optional on DeVilles. Lap seatbelts were the new “free-wheeling” style, and chimes now gently warned passengers to buckle up. A new dome light had dual spot map lamps. Seville and Eldorado could have an optional Trip Computer with digital display that showed
- average speed
- miles yet to travel
- engine speed
- arrival time
- elapsed trip time.
DeVilles, Fleetwood Broughams, and limousines were powered by a 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8 with four-barrel carburetor; a fuel-injected version again was available. Oldsmobile’s diesel V-8, first offered only on Seville and Eldorado, could go under DeVille/Brougham hoods by year’s end. Options for the year Included dual electric remote mirrors; an automatically-retracting radio antenna; plus 8-track and cassette tape players (with built-in 40-channel CB available).
I. D. DATA
| Cadillac’s 13-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) was again on the upper left surface of the cowl, visible through the windshield. |
| Coding was similar to 1977-78. |
| The model year code changed to “9” for 1979. |
| The body type code for Eldorado coupe changed to “57”. |
Assembly plant codes were:
|
| Sequence numbers began with 100001 at Detroit (except 450001 for Seville); 600001 at Linden; and 350001 at South Gate. |
| Eldorado’s body identification plate was on the top right side of the cowl. |
| Diesel Seville body plates were on the top left side of the cowl. |
SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
| Engine | V8 350cc (5.7L) | V8 350cc (5.7L) Diesel | V8 425cc (7.0L) |
| Crankcase | 4 qt | 6 | 4 qt |
| Crankcase with new filter | 5 qt | 7 | 5 qt |
| AutomaticTransmission after draining | 9 or 10 pt | 9 or 10 pt | 9 pt |
| Drive Axle | 4.3 or 3.2 pt | 4.3 or 3.2 pt | 4.25 pt |
| Fuel tank | 19.6 gal(US) | 19.6 gal (US) | 25 gal(US) |
| Cooling with heater | 17.2 qt | 17.2 qt | 21 qt |
| Cooling with A/C | 17.2 qt | 17.2 qt | 21 qt |
| Heavy duty Cooling | NA | NA | NA |
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | B | S | T |
| Engine type | V8-350cc(5.7L) | V8-425cc(7.0L) | V8-425cc(7.0L) |
| Fuel delivery | EFI | 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° | 23° | 18° |
| Intake valve opens (BTDC) | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| Fuel pump pressure | 5¼ to 6½ psi | 5¼ to 6½ psi | 39 min. |
| Idle speed | 600 rpm | 600 rpm | 600 rpm |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
| Part # | 1102849 | 1101033 |
| Field current @ 12 V | 4-4.5 | 4-4.5 |
| Output | 63 amps | 80 amps |
| Regulator | Solid state | Solid state |
| Volts @ 75° | 13.8-14.8 | 13.8-14.8 |
BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS
| Engine | V8-350cc (5.7L) | V8-425cc (7.0L) | V8-350cc (5.7L)Diesel |
| Battery Ampere Hour Capacity | 540 amps cold cranking power @ 0°F | ||
| Battery Volts | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Battery Terminal Grounded | Neg. | Neg. | Neg. |
| Starter, Lock Test, Amps | Not Recommended | ||
| Starter, Lock Test, Volts | |||
| Starter, Lock Test, Torque | |||
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps | 65-95 | 65-95 | 40-140 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM | 7000-10500 | 7000-10500 | 8000-13000 |
| Starter, Brush Spring Tension | 35 oz. min. | 35 oz. min. | 35 oz. min. |
GENERAL ENGINE SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | B | N | S | T |
| Engine type | V8-350cc(5.7L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) | V8-425cc(7.0L) | V8-425cc(7.0L) |
| Manufacturer | Oldsmobile | Oldsmobile | Cadillac | Cadillac |
| Fuel delivery | EFI | Diesel | 4 bbl | EFI |
| Horsepower | 170@4200 | 120@3600 | 180@4000 | 185@3600 |
| Torque | 270@2000 | 220@1600 | 320@2000 | 320@2400 |
| Bore x Stoke | 4.057 x 3.385 | 4.057 x 3.385 | 4.082 x 4.060 | 4.082 x 4.060 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.00:1 | 22.5:1 | 8.20:1 | 8.20:1 |
| Oil pressure | 35 psi | 40 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) | V8-425cc(7.0L) |
| Piston-Bore Clearance | 0.0010-0.0020 | 0.0005-0.0006 | 0.0006-0.0014 | 0.0006-0.0010 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression | 0.0020-0.0040 | 0.005-0.007 | 0.0017-0.0040 | 0.0017-0.0040 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression | 0.0020-0.0040 | 0.0018-0.0038 | 0.0017-0.0040 | 0.0017-0.0040 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control | 0.0006-0.0098 | 0.0078 max. | None (side sealing) | None (side sealing) |
| Ring Gap: Top Compression | 0.010-0.023 | 0.015-0.025 | 0.013-0.023 | 0.013-0.025 |
| Ring Gap: Bottom Compression | 0.010-0.023 | 0.015-0.025 | 0.013-0.023 | 0.013-0.025 |
| Ring Gap: Oil Control | 0.015-0.055 | 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° |
| Spring Test Pressure | 187 lb @ 1.27 in. | 151 lb @ 1.30 in. | 162 lb @ 1.50 in. |
| Spring Installed Height | 1-43/64″ (1.671875″) | 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 | 0.0010-0.0029 |
| Stem Diameter: Intake | 0.3429 | 0.3429 | 0.3416 |
| Stem Diameter: Exhaust | 0.3424 | 0.3424 | 0.3435 |
TORQUE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-350cc(5.7L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel | V8-425cc(7.0L) | V8-425cc(7.0L) |
| Cyl. Head Bolts | 130 ft.lb | 130 ft. lb | 90 ft. lb | 115 ft. lb |
| Rod Brg Bolts | 42 ft.lb | 42 ft. lb | 40 ft. lb | 40 ft. lb |
| Main Brg Bolts | 80 ft.lb (120 on # 5) | 120 ft. lb | 90 ft. lb | 90 ft. lb |
| Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt | 310 ft.lb | 200-310 ft.lb | Press fit | Press fit |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts | 60 ft.lb | 60 ft. lb | 75 ft. lb | 75 ft. lb |
| Intake Manifold | 40 ft.lb | 40 ft. lb | 30 ft. lb | 30 ft. lb |
| Exhaust Manifold | 25 ft.lb | 25 ft. lb | 22 ft. lb | 35 ft. lb |
CARBURETOR SPECS
| Carb ID | 17059230 (M4ME) | 17059232 (M4ME) | 17059530 (M4ME) | 17059532 (M4ME) |
| Float Level | 13/32 in | 13/32 in | 13/32 in | 13/32 in |
| Air Valve Spring | 1/2 turn | 1/2 turn | 1/2 turn | 1/2 turn |
| Pump Rod | 9/32 in | 9/32 in | 9/32 in | 9/32 in |
| Primary Vacuum Break | 0.142 in | 0.142 in | 0.149 in | 0.149 in |
| Secondary Vacuum Break | 0.234 in | 0.234 in | 0.164 in | 0.164 in |
| Choke Rod | 0.083 in | 0.083 in | 0.083 in | 0.083 in |
| Choke Unloader | 0.142 in | 0.142 in | 0.142 in | 0.142 in |
| Fast Idle Speed | 1000 rpm | 1500 rpm | 1500 rpm | 1500 rpm |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
| Feature | Eldorado | Full size | Seville |
| Caster Range | 1½°P-3½°P | 2°P-4°P | 1°P-3°P |
| Caster Pref. | 2½°P | 3°P | 2°P |
| Camber LH wheel Range | 3/16°N-3/16°P | ¼°N-1¼°P | ¾°N-¾°P |
| Camber LH wheel Pref. | 0° | ½° | 0° |
| Camber RH wheel Range | 3/16°N-3/16°P | ¼°N-1¼°P | ¾°N-¾°P |
| Camber RH wheel Pref. | 0° | ½° | 0° |
| Toe-In | 1/8°P to 1/8°P | 0″ | 1/16″ |
| Steering Axis Inclination | 11° | 10-19/32° | 10-5/8° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1979 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced: September 28, 1978.
- Edward C. Kennard was general manager
- Robert J. Templin was chief engineer
- Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- L. B. Pryor was general sales manager
- Model year production (U.S.): 381,113 for a 4.1 percent share and a new record.
- Calendar year production (U.S.): 345,794.
- Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 314,034, which amounted to a 3.8 percent market share.
- Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 328,815.
- DeVilles this year were built at South Gate, California.
- The DeVille Phaeton’s simulated convertible top was hardly likely to satisfy real ragtop fans who could afford the price of one of the re-manufactured versions.
- One such conversion by Hess & Eisenhardt, called ‘Le Cabriolet’ was marketed through Cadillac dealers.
- Like other GM divisions, Cadillac had high expectations for diesel power, but that phenomenon was destined to evaporate in the next half-dozen years.
- Cadillac production figures
Sedan de Ville93,211 (increased 4,260)
Coupe de Ville121,190 (increased 3,440)
Fleetwood Brougham42,200
Eldorado67,436 (increased 20,620)
Seville53,487 (decreased 3,498)
Series 752,889 (increased 507)
1979 Automotive Notes
- Elliott M. Estes was president of GM
- Thomas A. Murphy was chairman of the board at GM
- GM news:
- Ford news:
- Chrysler news:
- AMC news:
- Other makes news:
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1979
1. General Motors5,370,750
2. Ford2,694,621
3. Chrysler1,126,165
4. AMC169,439
5. Others709
- Top model year production for 1979
Chevrolet2,284,749
Ford1,835,937
Oldsmobile1,068,154
Pontiac907,434
Buick727,275
Skyhawk23,139
Skylark29,026
Century60,183
Regal273,365
LeSabre150,784
Estate Wagon21,312
Electra 225121,631
Riviera52,181
Mercury669,138
Dodge404,266
Cadillac383,138
Seville53,487
DeVille215,101
Eldorado67,436
Fleetwood Brougham42,200
Fleetwood Limousine4,914
Plymouth372,449
Chrysler349,450
Lincoln189,546
AMC169,439
Spirit52,478
Concord96,498
Pacer1,934
AMX3,657
Excalibur367
Checker200
Avanti II142
