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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

EngineV8 350cc (5.7L)V8 350cc (5.7L) DieselV8 425cc (7.0L)
Crankcase4 qt64 qt
Crankcase with new filter5 qt75 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining9 or 10 pt9 or 10 pt9 pt
Drive Axle4.3 or 3.2 pt4.3 or 3.2 pt4.25 pt
Fuel tank19.6 gal(US)19.6 gal (US)25 gal(US)
Cooling with heater17.2 qt17.2 qt21 qt
Cooling with A/C17.2 qt17.2 qt21 qt
Heavy duty CoolingNANANA

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

Engine V.I.N CodeBST
Engine typeV8-350cc(5.7L)V8-425cc(7.0L)V8-425cc(7.0L)
Fuel deliveryEFI4 bblEFI
ManufacturerOldsmobileCadillacCadillac
Original Spark plugR47SXR45NSXR45NSX
Gap0.060 in.0.060 in0.060 in
DistributorElectronicElectronicElectronic
Ignition timing (BTDC)10°23°18°
Intake valve opens (BTDC)222121
Fuel pump pressure5¼ to 6½ psi5¼ to 6½ psi39 min.
Idle speed600 rpm600 rpm600 rpm

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

Part #11028491101033
Field current @ 12 V4-4.54-4.5
Output63 amps80 amps
RegulatorSolid stateSolid state
Volts @ 75°13.8-14.813.8-14.8

BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS

EngineV8-350cc (5.7L)V8-425cc (7.0L)V8-350cc (5.7L)Diesel
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity540 amps cold cranking power @ 0°F
Battery Volts121212
Battery Terminal GroundedNeg.Neg.Neg.
Starter, Lock Test, AmpsNot Recommended
Starter, Lock Test, Volts
Starter, Lock Test, Torque
Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps65-9565-9540-140
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts999
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM7000-105007000-105008000-13000
Starter, Brush Spring Tension35 oz. min.35 oz. min.35 oz. min.

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

Engine V.I.N CodeBNST
Engine typeV8-350cc(5.7L)V8-350cc(5.7L)V8-425cc(7.0L)V8-425cc(7.0L)
ManufacturerOldsmobileOldsmobileCadillacCadillac
Fuel deliveryEFIDiesel4 bblEFI
Horsepower170@4200120@3600180@4000185@3600
Torque270@2000220@1600320@2000320@2400
Bore x Stoke4.057 x 3.3854.057 x 3.3854.082 x 4.0604.082 x 4.060
Compression Ratio8.00:122.5:18.20:18.20:1
Oil pressure35 psi40 psi35 psi35 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine typeV8-350cc(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 Clearance0.0005-0.0021 (No. 5 0.0015-0.0031in)0.0001-0.0026
Shaft End-play0.004-0.0140.002-0.012
Thrust on No.33

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

Engine typeV8-350cc(5.7L)V8-425cc(7.0L)
Journal Dia.2.1238-2.12482.5000
Oil Clearance0.0004-0.00330.0005-0.0028
Side Clearance0.006-0.0200.008-0.020

PISTON AND RING SPECS

Engine typeV8-350cc(5.7L)V8-350cc(5.7L) DieselV8-425cc(7.0L)V8-425cc(7.0L)
Piston-Bore Clearance0.0010-0.00200.0005-0.00060.0006-0.00140.0006-0.0010
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression0.0020-0.00400.005-0.0070.0017-0.00400.0017-0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression0.0020-0.00400.0018-0.00380.0017-0.00400.0017-0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control0.0006-0.00980.0078 max.None (side sealing)None (side sealing)
Ring Gap: Top Compression0.010-0.0230.015-0.0250.013-0.0230.013-0.025
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression0.010-0.0230.015-0.0250.013-0.0230.013-0.025
Ring Gap: Oil Control0.015-0.0550.015-0.0550.015-0.0550.015-0.055

VALVE SPECS

Engine typeV8-350cc(5.7L)V8-350cc(5.7L) DieselV8-425cc(7.0L)
Seat Angle31°(exh)45°(intake); 31° (exhaust)45°
Face Angle30° (exh)44°(intake); 30° (exhaust)44°
Spring Test Pressure187 lb @ 1.27 in.151 lb @ 1.30 in.162 lb @ 1.50 in.
Spring Installed Height1-43/64" (1.671875")1-43/64"115⁄16 in.
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake0.0010-0.00270.0010-0.00270.0010-0.0027
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust0.0015-0.00320.0015-0.00320.0010-0.0029
Stem Diameter: Intake0.34290.34290.3416
Stem Diameter: Exhaust0.34240.34240.3435

TORQUE SPECS

Engine typeV8-350cc(5.7L)V8-350cc(5.7L) DieselV8-425cc(7.0L)V8-425cc(7.0L)
Cyl. Head Bolts130 ft.lb130 ft. lb90 ft. lb115 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts42 ft.lb42 ft. lb40 ft. lb40 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts80 ft.lb (120 on # 5)120 ft. lb90 ft. lb90 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt310 ft.lb200-310 ft.lbPress fitPress fit
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts60 ft.lb60 ft. lb75 ft. lb75 ft. lb
Intake Manifold40 ft.lb40 ft. lb30 ft. lb30 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold25 ft.lb25 ft. lb22 ft. lb35 ft. lb

CARBURETOR SPECS

Carb ID17059230 (M4ME)17059232 (M4ME)17059530 (M4ME)17059532 (M4ME)
Float Level13/32 in13/32 in13/32 in13/32 in
Air Valve Spring1/2 turn1/2 turn1/2 turn1/2 turn
Pump Rod9/32 in9/32 in9/32 in9/32 in
Primary Vacuum Break0.142 in0.142 in0.149 in0.149 in
Secondary Vacuum Break0.234 in 0.234 in0.164 in0.164 in
Choke Rod0.083 in0.083 in0.083 in0.083 in
Choke Unloader0.142 in0.142 in0.142 in0.142 in
Fast Idle Speed1000 rpm1500 rpm1500 rpm1500 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 Inclination11° 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.
  • Cadillac production figures
Sedan de Ville93,211 (increased 4,260)
Coupe de Ville121,190 (increased 3,440)
Fleetwood Brougham42,200
Eldorado67,436 (increased 20,620)
Seville53,487 (decreased 3,498)
Series 752,889 (increased 507)