Cadillac History 1983 - Amazing Classic Cars

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	135@4200	105@3200	150@3800	140@3800
Torque	190@2000	205@1600	265@1600	265@1400
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