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1980sCadillacYear In Review
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Cadillac History 1982

Cadillac Moels & History  1982

Best of all . . . it’s a Cadillac,” declared the 1982 full-line catalog. Perhaps so, but long-time Caddy fans must have been startled by the company’s latest offering: the four-cylinder Cimarron, with manual floor shift yet. Introduced several years earlier than originally planned, this drastically different breed of luxury was intended to give Cadillac a toehold in the rising market for smaller, fuel-efficient designs.

On all except Cimarron, a new lightweight Cadillac 249 cu. in. (4.1 liter) HT-4100 V-8 engine with Digital Fuel Injection (DFI) became standard, coupled to overdrive automatic transmission. The Oldsmobile-built diesel 5.7-liter V-8 was also available. So was a Buick 4.1-liter V-6, offered as a credit option.

A new Fuel Data Panel (standard with the HT-4100 engine) displayed instantaneous MPG, average MPG, estimated driving range, and amount of fuel used. Electronic Climate Control had a new outside temperature display, available by touching a button. New reminder chimes used different tone patterns to warn of unbuckled seatbelts, headlamps left on, or key in ignition.

Body mounts, springs and shocks were revised to give a softer ride. All Cadillacs except Cimarron had standard

  • cornering lamps
  • tungsten-halogen highbeam headlamps
  • power windows and door locks
  • lamp monitors
  • twin remote-control mirrors
  • automatic power radio antenna
  • six-way power driver’s seat
  • electronic-tuned AM/FM stereo radio with signal seeking/scanning
  • an underhood light
  • dual-spot map lamps/courtesy lights
  • steel-belted wide whitewall radial tires
  • gas cap holder on fuel filler door

All except Seville with cloth interior had front seatback map pockets. New to the full-size option list was a remote-locking fuel filler door. The HT-4100 V-8 engine had an aluminum block for light weight and chrome-plated valve covers for looks. During manufacture, it received individually balanced components and automatic in-process gauging, and had to pass a 78-step “stress test” before installation. Features added to improve fuel economy included fast-burn compact combustion chambers, digital fuel injection, and bearings designed for low-drag lubricants.

Standard with the HT-4100 engine was four-speed overdrive automatic transmission, helping to improve mileage further. EPA estimates reached 26 highway/17 city for Fleetwood/DeVille models, 27 highway for Seville/Eldorado. A Fuel Data Panel computed average MPG on the road. On-board computer diagnostics warned of engine problems and helped the mechanic locate the trouble quickly. The digital fuel injection included automatic altitude compensation, determined by a microprocessor, plus constant idle speed. The HT-4100 replaced the troublesome V8-6-4 modular-displacement engine, helping to boost both gas mileage and sales. That new engine was installed in some 90 percent of Sevilles, DeVilles and Eldorados. An HT-4100 nameplate went on front fenders of all models with that engine under the hood.

V.I.N. DATA

  • All Cadillacs again had a 17-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl, visible through the windshield. Coding was similar to 1981-82.
  • The number begins with a “1” to indicate the manufacturing country (U.S.A.), followed by a “G” for General Motors and a “6” for Cadillac Division.
  • The next letter indicates restraint system:
    • “A” manual (standard)
    • “B” automatic.
  • Symbol five is a letter denoting car line and series:
    • “S” Seville
    • “B” Fleetwood Brougham
    • “D” DeVille
    • “F” Fleetwood limousine
    • “Z” commercial chassis
    • “L” Eldorado.
    • “G” Cimarron
  • Digits six and seven indicate body type:
    • “47” 2-door coupe
    • “69” 4-door four-window sedan
    • “23” six-window, eight-passenger sedan w/auxiliary seat
    • “33” six-window formal limousine w/aux. seat and center partition; “90” commercial chassis (no body); “57” Eldorado coupe.
  • Next comes an engine code:
    • ‘P’ L4-121 TBI
    • ‘8’ V8-249 DFI
    • ‘9’ V8-6-4 368 DFI
    • ‘N’ V8-350 diesel
    • ‘6’ V8-368 4-bbl.
  • The next symbol is a check digit.
  • Symbol ten indicates model year (“C” 1982)
  • Symbol eleven denotes assembly plant:
    • “9” Detroit
    • “E” Linden, New Jersey (Seville/Eldorado)
    • “C” for South Gate, California (Cimarron)
  • The final six-digit production sequence number began with 100001 for Detroit-built models: 600001 (Eldorado) or 680001 (Seville) for those built in New Jersey.
  • An identification number for the V-6 engine was on the left rear of the block; on the V8-350, a code label was on top of the left valve cover and a unit number label atop the right valve cover.
  • Other engines had a unit number on the block behind the left cylinder head, and a VIN derivative on the block behind the intake manifold.
  • A body number plate on the upper horizontal surface of the shroud (except Seville, on front vertical shroud surface) showed model year, build date code, car division, series, style, body assembly plant, body number, trim combination, paint code, modular seat code, and roof option.

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

Engine V8 250 (4.1L) V6 252cc (4.1L) V8 350cc (5.7L) Diesel V8 368cc (6.0L)
Crankcase 4 qt 4 qt 6 4 qt
Crankcase with new filter 5 qt 5 qt 7 5 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining 8 pt 8 pt 6 pt 8 pt
Drive Axle 4.25 or 3.25 pt 4.25 or 3.25 pt 4.25 or 3.25 pt 4.25 pt
Fuel tank 25 or 21 gal(US) 25 gal(US) 27 gal (US) 25 gal(US)
Cooling with heater 10.8 or 6.25 qt 18.2 qt 23.7 qt 21.4 qt
Cooling with A/C 10.8 or 6.25 qt 18.2 qt 23.7 qt 21.4 qt
Heavy duty Cooling NA NA NA NA

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code 8 4 6 9
Engine type V8-250cc (4.1L) V6-252cc(4.1L) V8-368cc(6.0L) V8-368cc(6.0L)
Fuel delivery DFI 4 bbl 4 bbl DFI
Manufacturer Cadillac Buick Cadillac Cadillac
Original Spark plug R43NTS6 R45TSX R45NSX R45NAX
Gap 0.060 in. 0.060 in 0.060 in 0.060 in
Distributor Electronic Electronic Electronic Electronic
Ignition timing (BTDC) See underhood sticker See underhood sticker 18° See underhood sticker
Intake valve opens (BTDC) 37 16 11 11
Fuel pump pressure 12 – 14 4¼ to 5¾ psi 5½ to 6½ psi 12 – 14 min.
Idle speed 450 rpm 550 rpm in Drive; A/C 680 575 rpm 450 rpm

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

Part # 1102921 1101040 1101046 1101050 1101091
Field current @ 12 V 4 – 4.5 4 – 4.5 4 – 4.5 4 – 4.5 4 – 4.5
Output 63 amps 70 amps 80 amps 100 amps 100 amps
Regulator Solid state 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 13.8 – 14.8

BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS

Engine V6-252cc (4.1L) V8-250cc (4.1L) V8-350cc (5.7L) V8-368cc (6.0L) V8-350cc (5.7L)Diesel
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity 540 amps cold cranking power @ 0°F
Battery Volts 12 12 12 12 12
Battery Terminal Grounded Neg. Neg. 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 65 – 95 65 – 95 40 – 140
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts 9 9 9 9 9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM 7000 – 10500 7000 – 10500 7000 – 10500 7000 – 10500 8000 – 13000
Starter, Brush Spring Tension 35 oz. min. 35 oz. min. 35 oz. min. 35 oz. min. 35 oz. min.

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code 4 8 N 6 9
Engine type V6-252cc(4.1L) V8-250cc(4.1L) V8-350cc(5.7L) V8-368cc(6.0L) V8-368cc(6.0L)
Manufacturer Buick Cadillac Oldsmobile Cadillac Cadillac
Fuel delivery 4 bbl DFI Diesel 4 bbl DFI
Horsepower 125@3800 125@4200 105@3200 150@3800 140@3800
Torque 210@2000 190@2000 205@1600 265@1600 265@1400
Bore x Stoke 3.965 x 3.400 3.465 x 3.400 4.057 x 3.385 3.800 x 4.060 3.800 x 4.060
Compression Ratio 8.00:1 8.00:1 22.5:1 8.20:1 8.20:1
Oil pressure 35 psi 30 psi 40 psi 35 psi 35 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine type V8-250cc(4.1L) V6-252cc(4.1L) V8-350cc(5.7L) diesel V8-368cc(6.0L)
Main Brg Journal Dia. 2.640 2.4995 2.9993 – 3.0003 3.250
Main Brg Oil Clearance 0.0004 – 0.0030 0.0003 – 0.0018 0.0005 – 0.0021(No. 5: 0.0015 – 0.0031in) 0.0001 – 0.0026
Shaft End-play 0.001 – 0.007 0.003 – 0.009 0.004 – 0.014 0.002 – 0.012
Thrust on No. 3 2 3 3

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

Engine type V8-250cc(4.1L) V6-252cc(4.1L) V8-350cc(5.7L) diesel V8-368cc(6.0L)
Journal Dia. 1.9300 2.2487 – 2.2495 2.1238 – 2.1248 2.5000
Oil Clearance 0.0005 – 0.0028 0.0005 – 0.0026 0.0005 – 0.0026 0.0005 – 0.0028
Side Clearance 0.008 – 0.020 0.006 – 0.023 0.006 – 0.020 0.008 – 0.020

PISTON AND RING SPECS

Engine type V6-252cc (4.1L) V8-250cc(4.1L) V8-350cc(5.7L) V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel V8-368cc(6.0L)
Piston-Bore Clearance 0.0013 – 0.0035 0.0010 – 0.0018 0.0010 – 0.0020 0.0005 – 0.0006 0.0006 – 0.0014
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression 0.0030 – 0.0050 0.0016 – 0.0037 0.0020 – 0.0040 0.005 – 0.007 0.0017 – 0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression 0.0030 – 0.0050 0.0016 – 0.0037 0.0020 – 0.0040 0.0018 – 0.0038 0.0017 – 0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control 0.0035 max. None(side sealing) 0.0006 – 0.0096 0.0078 max. None(side sealing)
Ring Gap: Top Compression 0.013 – 0.023 0.009 – 0.020 0.010 – 0.023 0.015 – 0.025 0.013 – 0.023
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression 0.013 – 0.023 0.009 – 0.020 0.010 – 0.023 0.015 – 0.025 0.013 – 0.023
Ring Gap: Oil Control 0.015 – 0.035 0.010 – 0.050 0.015 – 0.055 0.015 – 0.055 0.015 – 0.055

VALVE SPECS

Engine type V8-250cc(4.1L) V6-252cc (4.1L) V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel V8-368cc(6.0L)
Seat Angle 45° 45° intake: 45°; exhaust: 31° 45°
Face Angle 44° 44° intake: 44°; exhaust: 30° 44°
Spring Test Pressure 182 lb @ 1.28″ 164 lb @ 1.34″(exhaust: 182 @ 1.34″) 210 lb @ 1.30″ 160 lb @ 1.50″
Spring Installed Height 1-43/64″ 1-11/32″ 1-43/64″ 1-15/32″
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake 0.0010 – 0.0030 0.0015 – 0.0035 0.0010 – 0.0027 0.0010 – 0.0027
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust 0.0010 – 0.0030 0.0015 – 0.0032 0.0015 – 0.0032 0.0010 – 0.0027
Stem Diameter: Intake 0.3413 – 0.3420 0.3412 0.3429 0.3417
Stem Diameter: Exhaust 0.3411 – 18 0.3412 0.3424 0.3417

TORQUE SPECS

Engine type V6-252cc (4.1L) V8-250cc(4.1L) V8-350cc(5.7L) V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel V8-368cc(6.0L)
Cyl. Head Bolts 80 ft.lb 90 ft. lb 130 ft. lb 130 ft. lb 95 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts 40 ft.lb 20 ft. lb 42 ft. lb 42 ft. lb 40 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts 100 ft.lb 85 ft. lb 80 ft. lb(No. 5: 120 ft. lb) 120 ft. lb 90 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt 225 ft.lb Press fit 310 ft. lb 200 – 310 ft. lb Press fit
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts 60 ft.lb 20 ft. lb 60 ft. lb 60 ft. lb 75 ft. lb
Intake Manifold 45 ft.lb 22 ft. lb 40 ft. lb 40 ft. lb 30 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold 25 ft.lb 20 ft. lb 25 ft. lb 25 ft. lb long bolts: 35 ft. lb;short bolts: 12 ft. lb

CARBURETOR SPECS

Carb ID 17082246 (M4ME) 17082247 (M4ME)
Float Level 3/8 in 13/32 in
Air Valve Spring 5/8 turn 5/8 turn
Pump Rod fixed fixed
Primary Vacuum Break 0.149 in 0.164 in
Secondary Vacuum Break 0.149 in 0.136 in
Choke Rod 0.139 in 0.139 in
Choke Unloader 0.195 in 0.243 in
Fast Idle Speed See underhood decal

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS

Feature Eldorado Full size Seville
Caster Range 1½°P – 3½°P 2½°P – 3½°P 1½°P – 3½°P
Caster Pref. 2½°P 3°P 2½°P
Camber LH wheel Range 3/16°N – 3/16°P 3/32°P to 57/64°P 3/16°N to 3/16°P
Camber LH wheel Pref. 0° ½° 0°
Camber RH wheel Range 3/16°N – 3/16°P 3/32°P to 57/64°P 3/16°N to 3/16°P
Camber RH wheel Pref. 0° ½° 0°
Toe-In 1/8°P to 1/8°P 1⁄8 in. 1⁄8 in.P to 1⁄8 in.P
Steering Axis Inclination 11° 10-19/32° 11°

HISTORICAL NOTES

1982 Cadillac Notes

  • Introduced: September 24, 1981 except Cimarron, May 21, 1981
  • Edward C. Kennard was general manager until October
  • Robert D. Burger became general manager in October
  • Robert J. Templin was chief engineer
  • Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
  • L. B. Pryor was general sales manager
  • Model year production: 235,584 (including early ’82 Cimarrons)
  • That total included 17,650 V-6 Cadillacs and 19,912 diesels
  • Only 1,017 Sevilles and 3,453 Eldorados had a V-6.
  • Calendar year production: 246,602
  • Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 249,295 for a 4.3 percent share of the market
  • Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 237,032; also a 4.3 percent market share.
  • In Cadillac’s 80th anniversary year, it was the only GM division to show a sales rise, though not a gigantic one.
  • A depressed economy typically affects luxury-car buyers the least
  • The new Cimarron, on the other hand, sold only one-third of the predicted output, and Seville also fell below expectations
  • Heavy dealer orders for the new models in September 1982 caused officials to add a second shift to the Livonia Engine Plant operation
  • Cadillac had considered selling the new HT-4100 4.1-liter engine to other GM divisions
  • As Cadillac’s engine plant manager said: “There aren’t many V-8s left, and ours is a highly efficient, light-weight, high-quality power-plant.”
  • Until a light-weight V-6 engine could be developed, Cadillac planned to use Buick’s 251 cu. in (4.1 liter) V-6 in the new Cimarron, which was built in South Gate, California
  • But that would not happen
  • Cadillac’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rating zoomed up to 22.1 MPG this year, from only 18.7 in 1981, largely due to the improved efficiency of the new 4.1 V-8
  • In September 1982, Robert O. Burger replaced Edward C. Kennard as Cadillac’s general manager.
  • Cadillac production figures
Cimarron8,366 (decreased 9,236)
Fleetwood/de Ville series137,600 (decreased 12,115)
Eldorado52,018 (decreased 8,625)
Seville19,998 (decreased 8,633)
Series 751,450 (increased 250)

1982 Automotive Notes

  • GM news:
  • Ford news:
  • Chrysler news:
  • AMC news:
  • Other makes news:
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1982


1. General Motors3,516,326
2. Ford1,162,642
3. Chrysler592,605
4. AMC101,915
5. Others2,412


  • Top model year production for 1982
Chevrolet1,297,357
Ford748,732
Buick739,984
Skyhawk47,918
Skylark145,855
Century102,965
Regal225,419
LeSabre98,820
Electra76,232
Riviera44,071
Oldsmobile702,340
Pontiac541,061
Mercury328,597
Plymouth247,936
Dodge241,359
Cadillac235,584
Cimarron25,968
Seville19,998
DeVille98,820
Eldorado52,018
Fleetwood Brougham37,330
Fleetwood Limousine1,450
Chrysler103,310
AMC101,915
Spirit20,182
Concord43,810
Eagle 5010,965
Eagle 3026,958
Lincoln85,313
Checker2,000
Excalibur212
Avanti II200