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)