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:
“9” Detroit
“E” Linden, NJ (Eldorado only)
“C” South Gate, CA (DeVille only)
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.