Cadillac Models & History 1973
For 1973, there were five models:
- Calais: two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan
- DeVille: two-door coupe and four-door sedan
- Fleetwood Sixty-Special Brougham: four-door sedan
- Fleetwood Seventy-five: four-door sedan, four-door limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.
- Fleetwood Eldorado: two-door hardtop coupe and two-door convertible
I. D. DATA
The serial number system and locations were the same as the previous year with the sixth symbol changed to “3” to indicate model year. |
Calais were numbered 6C(__)R3Q 100001 to 350000 |
DeVilles: 6D(__)R3Q 100001 to 350000 or 6D4(__)R3E 3500001 to 400000 |
Eldorados: 6L(__)S3Q 400001 to 450000 |
Broughams: 6B69R30 100001 to 350000 |
Seventy-Fives 6F(__)R3Q 100001 to 350000. |
The new Body Style Number codes were used on both serial number tags and vehicle data plates. |
SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
Engine | V8 472cc (7.7L) | V8 500cc (8.2L) |
Crankcase | 4 qt | 5 qt |
Crankcase with new filter | 5 or 6 qt | 6 qt |
AutomaticTransmission after draining | 8 pt | 11.9 pt |
Drive Axle | 5 pt | 4 pt |
Fuel tank | 27.5 gal(US) | 27.5 gal(US) |
Cooling with heater | 21.3 qt | 21.3 qt |
Cooling with A/C | 21.3 qt | 21.3 qt |
Heavy duty Cooling | 21.8 qt | 21.8 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″ | 0.016″ |
Ignition timing (BTDC) | 8° | 8° |
Intake valve opens (BTDC) | 34 | 34 |
Fuel pump pressure | 5¼ – 6½ psi | 5¼ – 6½ psi |
Idle speed | 600/400 rpm | 600/400 rpm |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
Part # | 1100940 | 1100937 | 1101015 | 1117144 |
Field current @ 12 V | 4.0 – 4.5 | 4.0 – 4.5 | 4.0 – 4.5 | 4.0 – 4.5 |
Output | 42 amps | 63 amps | 80 amps | 145 amps |
Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap | Solid State | Solid State | Solid State | Solid State |
Regulator Field-Relay: Point Gap | ||||
Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close | ||||
Regulator Air Gap | ||||
Regulator Point Gap | ||||
Regulator Volts @ 75° | 13.8 – 14.8 | 13.5 – 14.4 | 13.8 – 14.8 | 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 | 65 – 95 | 65 – 95 |
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts | 9 | 9 |
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM | 7000 – 10500 | 7000 – 10500 |
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 | 220@4000 | 235@3800 |
Torque | 365@2400 | 385@2400 |
Bore x Stoke | 4.300 x 4.060 | 4.300 x 4.304 |
Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 | 8.5:1 |
Oil pressure | 35 psi | 35 psi |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) | V8-500cc(8.2L) |
Main Brg Journal Dia. | 3.250 | 3.250 |
Main Brg Oil Clearance | 0.0003 – 0.0026 | 0.0003 – 0.0026 |
Shaft End-play | 0.002 – 0.012 | 0.002 – 0.012 |
Thrust on No. | 3 | 3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) | V8-500cc(8.2L) |
Journal Dia. | 2.5000 | 2.5000 |
Oil Clearance | 0.0005 – 0.0028 | 0.0005 – 0.0028 |
Side Clearance | 0.008 – 0.016 | 0.008 – 0.016 |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) | V8-500cc(8.2L) |
Piston-Bore Clearance | 0.0006 – 0.0010 | 0.0006 – 0.0010 |
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression | 0.0017 – 0.0040 | 0.0017 – 0.0040 |
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression | 0.0017 – 0.0040 | 0.0017 – 0.0040 |
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control | None (side sealing) | None (side sealing) |
Ring Gap: Top Compression | 0.013 – 0.025 | 0.013 – 0.025 |
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression | 0.013 – 0.025 | 0.013 – 0.025 |
Ring Gap: Oil Control | 0.015 – 0.055 | 0.015 – 0.055 |
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. | 168 lb @ 1.50 in. |
Spring Installed Height | 115⁄16 in. (1.671875″) | 115⁄16 in. (1.9375″) |
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake | 0.0010 – 0.0027 | 0.0010 – 0.0027 |
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust | 0.0012 – 0.0027 | 0.0012 – 0.0027 |
Stem Diameter: Intake | 0.3420 | 0.3418 |
Stem Diameter: Exhaust | 0.3418 | 0.3416 |
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 | 7046881 (4MV) | 7047331 (4MV) | 7047332 (4MV) |
Float Level | 19/64 in | 1⁄4 in. | 23/64 in |
Air Valve Spring | 1/2 turn | 1/2 turn | 1/2 turn |
Pump Rod | 11⁄32 in. | 11⁄32 in. | 11⁄32 in. |
Primary Vacuum Break | 0.205 in | 0.200 in | 0.205 in |
Choke Rod | 0.090 in | 0.090 in | 0.090 in |
Choke Unloader | 0.015 in | 0.015 in | 0.015 in |
Fast Idle Speed | 1925 rpm | 1925 rpm | 1925 rpm |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
Feature | Eldorado | Full size |
Caster Range | ½°N – 1½°N | 1½°N – ½°N |
Caster Pref. | 1°N | 1°N |
Camber LH wheel Range | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P | 3⁄8°P – 3⁄8°N |
Camber LH wheel Pref. | 0° | 0° |
Camber RH wheel Range | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P | 1/8°P – 5/8°N |
Camber RH wheel Pref. | 0° | ¼°N |
Toe-In | 0″ | 1⁄8 in. – 1⁄4 in. |
Steering Axis Inclination | 11° | 6° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1973 Cadillac Notes
- Dealer introductions were held September 21, 1972.
- Model year production hit a record 304,839 Cadillacs.
- The five millionth Cadillac, a blue Sedan DeVille, was built June 27, 1973.
- A Cotillion white Eldorado convertible paced the Indy 500 with Jim Rathman driving.
- Robert D. Lund became general manager.
- Robert J. Templin was chief engineer
- Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
- Cadillac production figures
Calais8,073 (increased 298)
Sedan de Ville103,394 (increased 3,863)
Coupe de Ville112,849 (increased 17,569)
Eldorado51,451 (increased 11,377)
Series 6024,800 (increased 4,050)
Series 754,272 (decreased 105)
1973 Automotive Notes
- After being phased out in the late 1960’s, vent windows appear as an extra-cost option
- All engines get an EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve to cut emissions of nitrogen oxide
- All new cars must have a 5-mph front “crash” bumpers and 2½-mph rear bumpers.
- Cars built after January 1 must incorporate side beams in the doors
- Hardtop (i.e., no center pillar) cars are being phased out
- Horsepower and torque figures are lower again
- More than 72% of new cars have air conditioning.
- The OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) oil embargo on Oct. 19 leads to fuel shortages, long lines at the pumps, and price hikes. It lasted for five months
- US Federal law bans odometer “roll-back” and force dealers to disclose mileage before selling a used car
- GM news:
- Edward N. Cole was president of GM
- Richard C. Gerstenberg was chairman of the board at GM
- Rebodied mid-size lines feature “Colonnade” hardtops with fixed center pillars
- GM experiments with a device that requires the driver to pass a sobriety test before the car will start
- Chevrolet surpasses Ford by almost 230,000 units
- 1000 Impalas get air bags
- Chevelle and Monte Carlo coupes get swing-out bucket seats
- Last year for Chevelle 454 V-8, SS option departs
- Camaro SS label and big-block engines are gone, but Type LT (Luxury Touring) remains
- Hatchback versions of the Nova, Ventura, Omega, and Apollo appear
- Pontiac introduces Grand Am based on the Le Mans but with the luxury of the Grand Prix and performance of the Trans Am
- Firebird Trans Am retains the 455-cid V8 (7.4 litre) and sports a large hood-mounted wing decal which some called the “Chicken”
- Oldsmobile retains third spot followed by Pontiac and Plymouth
- Oldsmobile introduces the Omega compact, a re-badged Nova
- Buick introduces the Apollo compact, a re-badged Nova
- Buick names its mid-size model “Century”
- Ford news:
- Again, Ford sells another half-million Pintos
- Last year for the Cougar
- Chrysler news:
- Plymouth drops from fourth place to fifth after Pontiac
- Electronic ignition is standard on all Chrysler engines
- Dart Demon is renamed Sport because of objection to devil logo
- Dodge “Convertriple” and Plymouth “Space Duster” feature fold-down rear seat
- AMC news:
- Hornet gets a sporty hatchback coupe with optional 304 V-8
- Gremlin offers a “Levi’s” option where the interior fabric resembles that of blue jeans with red piping
- Other makes news:
- Beginning in 1970, the Series II Excalibur was a hand-built “neoclassic” evolved from Brooks Steven’ original Studebaker-based 1965-69 design.
- All Excaliburs had GM chassis and 350-cid (5.7 litre)(later had big-block 454 Corvette (7.4 litre)) V-8s
- Only 72 two-seat Roadsters and 270 four-seat Phaetons were built through 1974
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1973
1. General Motors5,548,154
2. Ford2,964,358
3. Chrysler1,798,684
4. AMC392,105
5. Others1,128
- Top model year production for 1973
Chevrolet2,579,509
Ford2,349,815
Oldsmobile922,771
Pontiac919,870
Plymouth882,196
Buick821,165
Apollo32,793
Century298,468
LeSabre197,281
Centurion44,976
Estate Wagon12,282
Electra 225177,772
Riviera34,080
Dodge665,536
Mercury486,470
AMC392,105
Javelin27,536
Cadillac304,839
Calais8,073
DeVille216,243
Eldorado51,451
Fleetwood Brougham24,800
Series Seventy-Five4,272
Chrysler234,223
Lincoln128,073
Imperial16,729
Checker900
Excalibur122
Avanti II106
Alfa-Romeo204,902
U.S. Alfa-Romeo sales2,595
Aston-Martin250