Cadillac Moels & History 1983
Cadillac for 1983 heralded a new line of electronic fuel-injected engines, eliminating the carburetor. The EFI lineup even included the 2.0-liter four that powered Cimarrons. Once again, the HT-4100 V-8 was Cadillac’s standard engine (except on Cimarrons and limousines), now with 10 more horsepower. Automatic four-speed overdrive transmission was standard as well. The 5.7-liter diesel was available again.
A new Freedom II battery gave better cold-cranking performance. The curious but undependable variable-displacement V8-6-4 engine was consigned only to limousine applications.
Added to the Eldorado and Seville option lists was a Delco-GM/Bose Symphony Sound System with four amplifiers and speakers in separate enclosures, billed as the “industry’s most advanced stereo.” Sound was automatically balanced for all passengers, reflecting off the windows and interior. Acoustics were based on window location and shape, upholstery, carpeting, and position of driver and passengers. The system included an AM/FM stereo radio and integral cassette player with Dolby tape noise reduction and full-time loudness control. Tested with an “acoustically-sensitive” robot, the system was also offered on Buick Riviera and Olds Toronado.
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.
- 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 (“D” 1983)
- 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 250cc (4.1L) | V8 350cc (5.7L) Diesel | V8 368cc (6.0L) |
| Crankcase | 4 qt | 6 qt | 4 qt |
| Crankcase with new filter | 5 qt | 7 | 5 qt |
| AutomaticTransmission after draining | 10 pt | 10 pt | 8 pt |
| Drive Axle | 4.25 or 3.25 pt | 4.25 or 3.25 pt | 4.25 pt |
| Fuel tank | 24 or 21 gal(US) | 26 or 21 gal(US) | 25 gal(US) |
| Cooling with heater | 11 qt | 23 or 18 qt | 21.4 qt |
| Cooling with A/C | 11 qt | 23 qt | 21.4 qt |
| Heavy duty Cooling | NA | NA | NA |
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| Engine type | V8-250cc (4.1L) | V8-368cc(6.0L) | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Fuel delivery | DFI | 4 bbl | DFI |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac | Cadillac | Cadillac |
| Original Spark plug | R43NTS6 | R45NSX | R45NAX |
| Gap | 0.060 in. | 0.060 in | 0.060 in |
| Distributor | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic |
| Ignition timing (BTDC) | See underhood sticker | 18° | See underhood sticker |
| Intake valve opens (BTDC) | 37 | 11 | 11 |
| Fuel pump pressure | 12 – 14 | 5½ to 6½ psi | 12 – 14 min. |
| Idle speed | See underhood sticker | 575 rpm | See underhood sticker |
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 | V8-250cc (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 |
| Battery Terminal Grounded | 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 | 40 – 140 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM | 7000 – 10500 | 7000 – 10500 | 7000 – 10500 | 8000 – 13000 |
| Starter, Brush Spring Tension | 35 oz. min. | 35 oz. min. | 35 oz. min. | 35 oz. min. |
GENERAL ENGINE SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | 8 | N | 6 | 9 |
| Engine type | V8-250cc(4.1L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) | V8-368cc(6.0L) | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac | Oldsmobile | Cadillac | Cadillac |
| Fuel delivery | DFI | Diesel | 4 bbl | DFI |
| Horsepower | [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| Torque | [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| Bore x Stoke | 3.465 x 3.400 | 4.057 x 3.385 | 3.800 x 4.060 | 3.800 x 4.060 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.50:1 | 22.5:1 | 8.20:1 | 8.20:1 |
| Oil pressure | 30 psi | 40 psi | 35 psi | 35 psi |
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 | 80 | 100 | 100 |
| 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 |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
| Engine type | V8-250cc(4.1L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Main Brg Journal Dia. | 2.640 | 2.9993 – 3.0003 | 3.250 |
| Main Brg Oil Clearance | 0.0004 – 0.0027 | 0.0005 – 0.0021(No. 5: 0.0015 – 0.0031) | 0.0001 – 0.0026 |
| Shaft End-play | 0.001 – 0.007 | 0.004 – 0.014 | 0.002 – 0.012 |
| Thrust on No. | 3 | 3 | 3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
| Engine type | V8-250cc(4.1L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Journal Dia. | 2.052 – 2.054 | 2.1238 – 2.1248 | 2.5000 |
| Oil Clearance | 0.0005 – 0.0028 | 0.0005 – 0.0026 | 0.0005 – 0.0026 |
| Side Clearance | 0.008 – 0.020 | 0.006 – 0.020 | 0.008 – 0.020 |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
| Engine type | V8-250cc(4.1L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Piston-Bore Clearance | 0.0008 | 0.0035 – 0.0045 | 0.0006 – 0.0014 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression | 0.0016 – 0.0037 | 0.005 – 0.007 | 0.0017 – 0.0040 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression | 0.0016 – 0.0037 | 0.003 – 0.005 | 0.0017 – 0.0040 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control | None (side sealing) | 0.001 – 0.005 | None (side sealing) |
| Ring Gap: Top Compression | 0.015 – 0.025 | 0.019 – 0.027 | 0.013 – 0.023 |
| Ring Gap: Bottom Compression | 0.015 – 0.025 | 0.013 – 0.021 | 0.013 – 0.023 |
| Ring Gap: Oil Control | 0.010 – 0.050 | 0.015 – 0.055 | 0.015 – 0.055 |
VALVE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-250cc(4.1L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Seat Angle | 45° | 45°(intake); 31° (exhaust) | 45° |
| Face Angle | 44° | 44°(intake); 30° (exhaust) | 44° |
| Spring Test Pressure | 167 lb @ 1.34″ | 210 lb @ 1.22″ | 160 lb @ 1.50″ |
| Spring Installed Height | 1-43/64″ | 1-43/64″ | 1-15/32″ |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake | 0.0010 – 0.0030 | 0.0010 – 0.0027 | 0.0010 – 0.0027 |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust | 0.0010 – 0.0030 | 0.0015 – 0.0032 | 0.0010 – 0.0027 |
| Stem Diameter: Intake | 0.3413 – 0.3420 | 0.3425 – 0.3432 | 0.3417 |
| Stem Diameter: Exhaust | 0.3411 – 0.3418 | 0.3420 – 0.3427 | 0.3417 |
TORQUE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-250cc(4.1L) | V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel | V8-368cc(6.0L) |
| Cyl. Head Bolts | 90 ft. lb | 130 ft. lb | 95 ft. lb |
| Rod Brg Bolts | 20 ft. lb | 42 ft. lb | 40 ft. lb |
| Main Brg Bolts | 85 ft. lb | 120 ft. lb | 90 ft. lb |
| Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt | Press fit | 200 – 310 ft. lb | Press fit |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts | 20 ft. lb | 60 ft. lb | 75 ft. lb |
| Intake Manifold | 22 ft. lb | 40 ft. lb | 30 ft. lb |
| Exhaust Manifold | 20 ft. lb | 25 ft. lb | long bolts: 35 ft. lb;short bolts: 12 ft. lb |
CARBURETOR SPECS
| Carb ID | 17082266 (M4ME) | 17082267 (M4ME) |
| Float Level | 3/8 in | 3/8 in |
| Air Valve Spring | 5/8 turn | 5/8 turn |
| Pump Rod | fixed | fixed |
| Primary Vacuum Break | 0.149 in | 0.149 in |
| Secondary Vacuum Break | 0.149 in | 0.149 in |
| Choke Rod | 0.071 in | 0.071 in |
| Choke Unloader | 0.195 in | 0.195 in |
| Fast Idle Speed | See underhood decal | |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
| Feature | Eldorado | Full size | Seville |
| Caster Range | 2°P – 3°P | 2½°P – 3½°P | 2°P – 3°P |
| Caster Pref. | 2½°P | 3°P | 2½°P |
| Camber LH wheel Range | ½°N to ½°P | 3/32°P to 57/64°P | ½°N to ½°P |
| Camber LH wheel Pref. | 0° | ½° | 0° |
| Camber RH wheel Range | ½°N to ½°P | 3/32°P to 57/64°P | ½°N to ½°P |
| Camber RH wheel Pref. | 0° | ½° | 0° |
| Toe-In | 1/8 in to 1/8 out | 1⁄8 in. | 1/8 in to 1/8 out |
| Steering Axis Inclination | 11° | 10-19/32° | 11° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1983 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced: September 23, 1982.
- Robert D. Burger 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: 292,714, which came to 5.1 percent of the industry total.
- That total included 5,223 diesels.
- Calendar year production: 309,811.
- Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 300,337.
- Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 290,138 for a 4.5 percent market share.
- Sales rose by over 22 percent for the 1983 model year, suggesting that Cadillac’s appeal to luxury-minded buyers hadn’t waned.
- Before taking over the Chevrolet division, Cadillac general manager Robert D. Burger told reporters that the company was “confident about the future of the luxury car business” since research by 1982 suggested a “long-term fundamental shift toward luxury cars that hold their value.”
- On the other hand, research also showed that Cadillac buyers were considerably older (median age about 60) than car buyers in general — a fact that could become a problem in future years.
- The popularity of the HT-4100 4.1 liter V-8 brought speculation that a transverse-mounted version would be planned for the 1984 Eldorado.
- That car’s engine compartment would have to be widened, however, to accommodate the V-8.
- So the switch occurred only when Eldorado got a new body for 1986.
- Rear-drive Cadillacs were the longest cars on the market, measuring 121 inches in wheelbase.
- Buyers still liked them, so they expected to remain in the lineup for a while longer.
- Cadillac production figures
Cimarron19,294 (increased 10,928)
Fleetwood/de Ville series174,674 (increased 37,074)
Eldorado67,416 (increased 15,398)
Seville30,430 (increased 10,432)
Series 751,000 (decreased 450)
1983 Automotive Notes
- GM news:
- Ford news:
- Chrysler news:
- AMC news:
- Other makes news:
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1983
1. General Motors3,511,491
2. Ford1,243,887
3. Chrysler737,835
4. AMC168,726
5. Others100
- Top model year production for 1983
Chevrolet1,175,200
Oldsmobile916,583
Buick808,416
Skyhawk63,152
Skylark104,647
Century127,926
Regal228,239
LeSabre136,052
Electra98,166
Riviera50,234
Ford783,225
Mercury359,594
Pontiac318,478
Dodge304,464
Cadillac292,814
Cimarron19,294
Seville30,430
DeVille130,723
Eldorado67,416
Fleetwood Brougham43,500
Fleetwood Limousine1,451
Plymouth273,489
AMC168,726
Alliance142,205
Spirit3,491
Concord5,300
Eagle 502,259
Eagle 3015,471
Chrysler159,882
Lincoln101,068
Avanti100