Cadillac Models & History1970

Atotal of 238,745 Cadillacs, built for the 1970 model run, set an all-time divisional record. Calendar year sales totals were off the mark, however, due to a major G.M. strike. They peaked at just 152,859 units. George R. Elges became general manager of Cadillac Division this year. Sales of the new Cadillac line began September 18, 1969. The optional Trackmaster skid control system was made available for the Eldorado, subsequent to initial model introduction.

For 1970, there were five models: Calais (two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), DeVille (two-door coupe, two-door convertible, four-door sedan, and four-door hardtop sedan), Fleetwood Sixty-Special (four-door sedan and four-door brougham), Fleetwood Seventy-five (four-door sedan, four-door limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.), and Fleetwood Eldorado (two-door hardtop coupe)

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 “0” for 1970 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) V8 500cc (8.2L)
Crankcase 4 or 5 qt 5 qt
Crankcase with new filter 5 or 6 qt 6 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining 25 or 26 pt 26 pt
Drive Axle 5 or 4.5 pt 4.5 pt
Fuel tank 26 gal (US) 24 gal (US)
Cooling with heater 21 qt 20 qt
Cooling with A/C 21 qt 20 qt
Heavy duty Cooling 25 qt 22 qt

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code R S
Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Fuel delivery 4 bbl 4 bbl
Manufacturer Cadillac Cadillac
Original Spark plug R46N R46N
Gap 0.035 in. 0.035 in.
Distributor Point Dwell 30° 30°
Distributor Point Gap 0.016 in. 0.016 in.
Ignition timing (BTDC) 7½°
Intake valve opens (BTDC) 18° 18°
Fuel pump pressure 6 psi 6 psi
Idle speed 600 rpm 600 rpm

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

Part # 1100908 1100909 1100694 1100910
Field current @ 12 V 2.2 – 2.6 2.2 – 2.6 2.2 – 2.6 2.8 – 3.2
Output 42 amps 42 amps 55 amps 63 amps 130 amps
Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap 0.015 in. 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. 0.030 in.
Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close 1.5 – 3.2 1.5 – 3.2 1.5 – 3.2 1.5 – 3.2
Regulator Air Gap 0.060 in. 0.060 in. 0.060 in. 0.060 in.
Regulator Point Gap 0.014 in. 0.014 in. 0.014 in. 0.014 in.
Regulator Volts @ 75°F 13.5 – 14.4 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) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity 74 74
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 70 – 99 70 – 99
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts 9 9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM 7800 7800
Starter, Brush Spring Tension 35 oz. min. 35 oz. min.

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code R S
Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Manufacturer Cadillac Cadillac
Fuel delivery 4 bbl 4 bbl
Horsepower 375@4400 400@4400
Torque 525@3000 550@3000
Bore x Stoke 4.300 in. x 4.060 in. 4.300 in. x 4.304 in.
Compression Ratio 10.00:1 10.0:1
Oil pressure 35 – 40 psi 34 – 40 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Main Brg Journal Dia. 3.250 in. 3.250 in.
Main Brg Oil Clearance 0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in. 0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in.
Shaft End-play 0.002 in. – 0.012 in. 0.002 in. – 0.012 in.
Thrust on No. 3 3

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Journal Dia. 2.5000 in. 2.5000 in.
Oil Clearance 0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in. 0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in.
Side Clearance 0.008 in. – 0.016 in. 0.008 in. – 0.016 in.

PISTON AND RING SPECS

Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Piston-Bore Clearance 0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in. 0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in.
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in.
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in.
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control None (side sealing) None (side sealing)
Ring Gap: Top Compression 0.013 in. – 0.025 in. 0.013 in. – 0.025 in.
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression 0.013 in. – 0.025 in. 0.013 in. – 0.025 in.
Ring Gap: Oil Control 0.015 in. – 0.055 in. 0.015 in. – 0.055 in.

VALVE SPECS

Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Seat Angle 45° 44°
Face Angle 45° 44°
Spring Test Pressure 160 lb @ 1.50 in. 160 lb @ 1.50 in.
Spring Installed Height 11516 in. (1.671875 in.) 11516 in. (1.9375 in.)
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake 0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in. 0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in.
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust 0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in. 0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in.
Stem Diameter: Intake 0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in. 0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in.
Stem Diameter: Exhaust 0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in. 0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in.

TORQUE SPECS

Engine type V8-472cc (7.7L) V8-500cc (8.2L)
Cyl. Head Bolts 115 ft.lb 115 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts 40 ft.lb 40 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts 90 ft.lb 90 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt Press fit Press fit
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts 75 ft.lb 75 ft. lb
Intake Manifold 30 ft.lb 30 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold 35 ft.lb 35 ft. lb

CARBURETOR SPECS

Carb ID 7047030 (4MV)
Float Level 14 in.
Pump Rod 1132 in.
Choke Unloader 0.300 in.
Fast Idle Speed 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 38°N – 38°P 38°N – 38°P
Camber LH wheel Pref.
Camber RH wheel Range 38°N – 38°P 38°N – 38°P
Camber RH wheel Pref.
Toe-In 0 – 18 in. 18 in. – 14 in.
Steering Axis Inclination 11°

HISTORICAL NOTES

1970 Cadillac Notes

  • A total of 238,745 Cadillacs, built for the 1970 model run, set an all-time divisional record.
  • Calendar year sales totals were off the mark, however, due to a major G.M. strike.
  • They peaked at just 152,859 units.
  • George R. Elges was general manager
  • Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
  • Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
  • F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
  • Sales of the new Cadillac line began September 18, 1969.
  • The optional Trackmaster skid control system was made available for the Eldorado, subsequent to initial model introduction.
  • Cadillac production figures
Calais19,822 (increased 7,397)
Sedan de Ville90,504 (increased 9,656)
Coupe de Ville76,043 (increased 10,288)
de Ville convertible15,172 (decreased 1,273)
Eldorado23,842 (increased 509)
Series 6018,651 (decreased 1,194)
Series 754,622 (increased 36)

1970 Automotive Notes

  • A recession in 1970 affects new-car sales so that the volume drops below 7.6 million cars
  • 60% of all new cars are air conditioned
  • All cars are required to have anti-theft steering-column, ignition locks, and both front and rear side marker lights
  • New features include front seatbacks that unlatch when the door is opened, tamper-proof odometers, and electrically heated rear defrosters
  • The US federal government awards contracts to develop a safety vehicle in which passengers could survive a 50-mph crash
  • Imports, esp. from Japan, record 14.6% of all US sales
  • GM news:
    • GM produces three V-8 engines to give low emisions: 402-cid (6.6 litre), 454-cid (7.4 litre), 500-cid (8.2 litre)
    • GM signs a $50-million license agreement with Curtiss-Wright Corp. for the rights to develop a Wankel rotary engine
    • Eldorado, Riviera, and Toronado get electronic skid-control braking
    • Eldorado’s 500-cid V-8 (8.2 litre) with 400 bhp is the world’s biggest production-car engine
    • Cadillac offers a power sunroof and signal-seeking radio
    • Chevrolet sells 130,657 Monte Carlo personal luxury coupe with its six-foot long hood — longest in Chevy’s history
    • Chevrolet’s 350-cid (5.7 litre), 300-bhp V-8 (4.9 litre) is now standard in Avanti II, whose styling remains the same
    • Full-size Chevys and Corvettes get the big-block 454 V-8 option
    • Monte Carlo gets a SS 454 option
    • Chevy II changes its name to Nova
    • The Chevelle is facelifted to resemble the full-size Chevrolet
    • Buick introduces the new GSX muscle car
    • The Buick GSX “Stage 1” will top 100 mph in the quarter-mile
    • Most Buicks come standard or available with the 455-cid V-8 (7.5 litre) producing 350 or 370 bhp
    • Because Pontiac offers only full-size cars, they lose nearly 180,00 sales
    • In California, station wagons have plastic gasoline tanks
    • GM endures a 67-day strike as the 1971 model year begins
    • Edward N. Cole was president of GM
    • James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM
  • Ford news:
    • Ford out-sells Chevrolet by over half a million cars
    • Late in 1970, Ford abandons most racing efforts
    • Ford promotes its 12-month warranty with no mileage limitation
    • Last year for Ford Falcon
    • Ford Maverick sells over half a million at $1995
    • The all-new Lincoln Continental sedan and hardtop are built on body-on-frame construction and conventional fron-hinged rear doors
    • Lincoln-Mercury dealers sell the German-built Capri as a “mini-ponycar”
  • Chrysler news:
    • Chrysler enters the subcompact market by importing the British-made Plymouth Cricket and the Japanese-made Dodge Colt.
    • Chrysler introduces the 300-H “Hurst” hardtop
    • Chrysler offers an optional headlight-delay sistem
    • Chrysler introduces the limited-edition Cordoba hardtop coupe and sedan
    • Last year for Chrysler’s Newport and 300 convertibles
    • Last year for the Dodge Coronet R/T of which only 2319 hardtops and 296 convertibles were built
    • Dodge introduces the Challenger ponycar to challenge Camaro and Mustang
    • Plymouth Barracuda is similar to the Challenger
    • Plymouth adds the Duster based on the Valiant as well as the winged Road Runner Superbird
    • Imperial drops the Crown series, but the LeBaron continues
  • AMC news:
    • AMC replaces the Rambler American with the compact Hornet
    • In April, AMC introduces the first American subcompact: the Gremlin at $1879
    • The windshields on the AMC Javelin and AMX have a cemically treated inner pane to reduce the possibility of facial lacerations upon impact
    • AMC acquires Kaiser-Jeep Corp. to become the leading four-wheel-drive vehicle producer
    • AMC’s Rebel “The Machine” runs a strong 390-cid (6.4 litre), 340-bhp V-8 (5.6 litre) and displays wild muscle-car striping
  • Other makes news:
    • Excalibur Series II debuts with a roadster and phaeton using a 111-inch wheelbase and Chevy’s 300-bhp, 350-cid V-8 (5.7 litre)
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1970


1. General Motors3,681,484
2. Ford2,480,027
3. Chrysler1,483,126
4. AMC276,110
5. Others545


  • Top model year production for 1970
Ford2,096,184
Chevrolet1,451,305
Plymouth747,508
Pontiac690,953
Buick666,501
Skylark194,084
Sportwagon12,241
Gran Sport20,096
LeSabre200,622
Estate Wagon28,306
Wildcat Custom23,615
Electra 225150,201
Riviera37,336
Oldsmobile633,981
Dodge543,019
Mercury324,716
AMC276,110
Cadillac238,744
Calais9,911
DeVille181,719
Eldorado28,842
Series Sixty Special1,738
Fleetwood Brougham16,913
Series Seventy-Five4,622
Chrysler180,777
Lincoln59,127
Imperial11,822
Checker (not including taxicabs)397
Avanti II111
Excalibur37