Cadillac Introduction Models & History 1968
The1968 spotlight was on motive power: an all-new 7.7 Liter V-8 with 375 bhp. Designed to meet the new government emission standards that took effect that year, it was extensively tested in the laboratory, being run the equivalent of 500,000 miles. Though not as fuel-efficient as its predecessor, the 7.7 Liter could boast of being the largest production engine offered in the industry. Designwise, the ’68 Eldorado gained the federally required side marker lights, plus larger taillights, combined turn signal/parking lamps nested in the front-fender caps, and a hood extended at the rear to conceal the windshield wipers. Standards also got the hidden wipers and side markers, along with a revised grille.
1968 Cadillac
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 “8” for 1968 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) |
| Crankcase | 4 or 5 qt |
| Crankcase with new filter | 5 or 6 qt |
| AutomaticTransmission after draining | 25 or 26 pt |
| Drive Axle | 5 or 4.5 pt |
| Fuel tank | 26 gal(US) |
| Cooling with heater | 21 qt |
| Cooling with A/C | 21 qt |
| Heavy duty Cooling | 25 qt |
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | NA |
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Fuel delivery | 4 bbl |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Original Spark plug | 44N |
| Gap | 0.035 in. |
| Distributor Point dwell | 30° |
| Distributor Point gap | 0.016 in. |
| Ignition timing (BTDC) | 5° |
| Intake valve opens (BTDC) | 18° |
| Fuel pump pressure | 5¾ psi |
| Idle speed | 550 rpm |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
| Part # | 1100696 | 1100694 | 1100742 | |
| Field current @ 12 V | 2.2 – 2.6 | 2.2 – 2.6 | 2.2 – 2.6 | |
| Output | 42 amps | 55 amps | 63 amps | 130 amps |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap | 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. | |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close | 1.5 – 3.2 | 1.5 – 3.2 | 1.5 – 3.2 | |
| Regulator Air Gap | 0.060 in. | 0.060 in. | 0.060 in. | |
| Regulator Point Gap | 0.014 in. | 0.014 in. | 0.014 in. | |
| Regulator Volts @ 75° | 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) |
| Battery Ampere Hour Capacity | 74 |
| Battery Volts | 12 |
| Battery Terminal Grounded | Neg. |
| Starter, Lock Test, Amps | Not Recommended |
| Starter, Lock Test, Volts | |
| Starter, Lock Test, Torque | |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps | 70 – 99 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts | 9 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM | 7800 |
| Starter, Brush Spring Tension | 35 oz. min. |
GENERAL ENGINE SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | |
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Fuel delivery | 4 bbl |
| Horsepower | 375@4400 |
| Torque | 525@3000 |
| Bore x Stoke | 4.300 in. x 4.060 in. |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Oil pressure | 33 psi |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Main Brg Journal Dia. | 3.250 in. |
| Main Brg Oil Clearance | 0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in. |
| Shaft End-play | 0.002 in. – 0.012 in. |
| Thrust on No. | 3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Journal Dia. | 2.5000 in. |
| Oil Clearance | 0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in. |
| Side Clearance | 0.008 in. – 0.016 in. |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Piston-Bore Clearance | 0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in. |
| Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression | 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
| Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression | 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
| Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control | None (side sealing) |
| Ring Gap: Top Compression | 0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
| Ring Gap: Bottom Compression | 0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
| Ring Gap: Oil Control | 0.015 in. – 0.055 in. |
VALVE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Seat Angle | 45° |
| Face Angle | 45° |
| Spring Test Pressure | 160 lb @ 1.50 in. |
| Spring Installed Height | 115⁄16 inches (1.671875 in.) |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake | 0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in. |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust | 0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in. |
| Stem Diameter: Intake | 0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in. |
| Stem Diameter: Exhaust | 0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in. |
TORQUE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Cyl. Head Bolts | 115 ft.lb |
| Rod Brg Bolts | 40 ft.lb |
| Main Brg Bolts | 90 ft.lb |
| Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt | Press fit |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts | 75 ft.lb |
| Intake Manifold | 30 ft.lb |
| Exhaust Manifold | 35 ft.lb |
CARBURETOR SPECS
| Carb ID | 7016932 (4MV) | 7016930 (4MV) |
| Float Level | 11⁄32 in. | 1⁄4 in |
| Pump Rod | 11⁄32 in | 11⁄32 in |
| Choke Unloader | 0.312 in | 0.312 in |
| Fast Idle Speed | 1925 rpm | 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°P – 1⁄8°N |
| Camber LH wheel Pref. | 0° | 0° |
| Camber RH wheel Range | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P | 1⁄8°P – 3⁄8°N |
| Camber RH wheel Pref. | 0° | ¼°N |
| Toe-In | 0 – 1⁄8 in. | 3⁄16 in. – 1⁄4 in. |
| Steering Axis Inclination | 11° | 6° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1968 Cadillac Notes
- Dealer introduction for 1968 Cadillacs and Eldorados took place September 21, 1967.
- Fourth successive yearly sales record set this year despite 21 day UAW shutdown at Fisher Body Fleetwood plant in Detroit (November 1967)
- Production was down 1.1 percent, due to same strike.
- Four-wheel disc brakes with floating calipers optionally available.
- All-new dash-board design.
- Cadillac’s new engine designed to meet tougher emissions regulations
- Larger, shrouded rear view mirrors to eliminate wind buffeting.
- Calvin J. Werner was general manager
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Parker was chief designer (Cadillac Studio) until April
- Stanley Wilen became chief designer (Cadillac Studio) in April
- F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
- Cadillac production figures
Calais18,190 (decreased 3,640)
Sedan de Ville82,512 (increased 20,810)
Coupe de Ville63,935 (increased 11,030)
de Ville convertible18,025 (decreased 175)
Eldorado24,528 (increased 6,598)
Series 6018,600 (increased 2,300)
Series 754,213 (increased 80)
1968 Automotive Notes
- US federal government enacts pollution regulations requiring exhaust-emission control system
- AMC introduces the Javelin and AMX
- Ford introduces the Torino
- Mercury introduces the Montego
- Lincoln introduces the Continental Mark III
- Front shoulder belts required on new cars sold after Jan 1/68
- New safety items include rear lap belts, side marker lights, non-reflective windshields, and padded interiors
- A million import cars are sold
- Ford features “controlled-crush” front ends
- Ford features squeeze type inside door handles
- GM introduces no-vent side windows
- AMC introduces a buzzer that sounds when the lights are left on when the ignition is turned off
- Pontiac GTO features “Endura,” an energy-absorbing, steel-reinforced, body-color rubber bumper which will appear on full-size Pontiacs in 1969
- Pontiac introduces engine driven air pump
- Chrysler product wagons have optional washer/wiper for tailgate window
- Kaiser-Jeep Corp. uses Buick’s V-6
- Compact Chevy II Nova rides on 111-inch wheelbase up from 110-inches
- Intermediate Chevelle rides on 112-inch wheelbase down from 115-inches
- Corvette is a little longer and now features vacuum-operated flip-up headlights
- Coronet adds the Super Bee to its lineup
- Last year for Crown Imperial convertible
- Plymouth adds the Road Runner to its lineup
- Pontiac Tempest can be had with 112-inch or 116-inch wheelbase
- Shelby (now built by Ford) adds the GT-500KR “King of the Road” to its lineup
- Edward N. Cole was president of GM
- James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1968
1. General Motors4,494,552
2. Ford2,156,254,?
3. Chrysler1,697,992
4. AMC270,093
5. Others11,066
- Top model year production for 1968
Chevrolet1,867,410
Ford1,366,548
Pontiac803,865
Plymouth790,239
Buick651,823
Special Deluxe49,475
Skylark133,563
Sportwagon22,908
Gran Sport21,514
LeSabre179,818
Wildcat69,969
Electra 225125,362
Riviera49,284
Dodge627,533
Oldsmobile562,459
Mercury360,467
Mustang317,404
Chrysler264,853
Camaro235,115
Cadillac230,003
Calais18,190
DeVille164,472
Eldorado24,528
Series Sixty Special3,300
Fleetwood Brougham15,300
Series Seventy-Five4,213
AMC191,633
Rebel 55026,319
Rebel 77035,237
Rebel SST12,339
AMX6,725
Javelin56,462
Ambassador9,632
Ambassador DPL23,756
Ambassador SST21,163
Firebird107,112
Rambler78,460
American54,624
American 44021,592
Rogue2244
Thunderbird64,931
Lincoln46,904
Corvette21,366
Corvair15,399
Imperial15,367
Checker6,469
Shelby4,451
Avanti II89
Excalibur57
