Cadillac History 1984 - Amazing Classic Cars

Cadillac Moels & History 1984

This was more a year of waiting than one of major changes. All Cadillac engines were now fuel injected. All but Cimarron and Fleetwood limousines carried the HT-4100 cu. in. (4.1 liter V-8 with aluminum alloy block and digital fuel injection. This year, that 249 cu. in. engine gained a new exhaust system and catalytic converter, plus revised calibration settings, to meet high-altitude emissions standards.

New features on DeVille, Fleetwood Brougham and limos included a goldtone horizontally-winged Cadillac crest ornament on front parking and turn signal lenses; new car-colored bodyside moldings; new goldtone vertically-winged Cadillac crest and goldtone accents on taillamp lenses; and new standard electronic level control. Diesel engine identification plaques were now on the left rear of the decklid. Faster-warming glow plugs went into the optional 5.7 liter diesel V-8, for improved cold-startups. A modified optional theft-deterrent system could detect any object on the driver’s seat that weighed 40 pounds or more.

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.
Some of the coding changed this year.
The first character is a “1” to indicate the manufacturing country (U.S.A.)
Next is a “G” for General Motors
The third character is a “6” for Cadillac Division.
The next character indicates restraint system: “A” manual; “B” automatic.
Symbol five denotes car line and series:
- “S” Seville;
- “M” DeVille;
- “W” Fleetwood Brougham;
- “F” Fleetwood limousine;
- “L” Eldorado.
Characters six and seven indicate body type:
- “47” 2-dr. coupe;
- “69” 4-dr. sedan;
- “23” eight-passenger limousine;
- “33” formal limousine with center partition;
- “57” Eldorado coupe;
- “67” 2-dr. convertible coupe.
Next comes the engine code:
- “P” L4-121 TBI;
- “8” V8-250 FI;
- “N” V8-350 diesel;
- “9” V8-6-4 368 FI.
The ninth character is a check digit.
Character ten indicates model year (“E” 1984).
Character eleven denotes the assembly plant.
The last six characters is a six-digit production sequence number.
As before, engines carried an identifying number and bodies held a number plate.

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 #	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	V8-250cc (4.1L)	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
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	8	N	6	9
Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel	V8-368cc(6.0L)	V8-368cc(6.0L)
Manufacturer	Cadillac	Oldsmobile	Cadillac	Cadillac
Fuel delivery	DFI	Diesel	4 bbl	DFI
Horsepower	135@4400	105@3200	150@3800	140@3800
Torque	200@2200	200@1600	265@1600	265@1400
Bore x Stoke	3.465 x 3.307	4.057 x 3.385	3.800 x 4.060	3.800 x 4.060
Compression Ratio	8.5:1 (9:1 with Swirl Cylinder Heads)	22.7:1	8.20:1	8.20:1
Oil pressure	30 psi	40 psi	35 psi	35 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel	V8-368cc(6.0L)	V8-307cc(5.0L)
Main Brg Journal Dia.	2.640	2.9993 – 3.0003	3.250	2.4988 – 2.4998 (No. 2, 3, 4, 5: 2.4985 – 2.4995)
Main Brg Oil Clearance	0.0004 – 0.0027	0.0005 – 0.0021 (No. 5: 0.0015 – 0.0031)	0.0001 – 0.0026	0.0005 – 0.0021 (No. 5: 0.0015 – 0.0031)
Shaft End-play	0.001 – 0.007	0.004 – 0.014	0.002 – 0.012	0.0035 – 0.0135
Thrust on No.	3	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

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

1984 Cadillac Notes

Introduced: September 22, 1983.
Robert D. Burger was general manager until January
John O. Grettenberger became general manager in January
Robert J. Templin was chief engineer for part of the year
Edward H. Mertz became chief engineer
Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
L. B. Pryor was general sales manager
Model year production: 300.300 (not including early ’85 DeVille/Fleetwoods).
The total includes 2,465 diesels.
Calendar year production: 328,534.
Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 320,017 for a 4.0 percent market share.
Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 327,587 (including 46,356 early ’85 front-drives).
Sales rose 13 percent for the model year, but Cadillac’s market share declined.
(Figures are a bit distorted because both front-drive and rear-drive DeVille/Fleetwood models were sold at the same time.)
On the other hand, all the GM divisions experienced a drop in market share.
Rising demand, though, kept plants working overtime during 1984.
Cimarron continued as Cadillac’s weakest seller, largely because it offered little more than the related J-car Chevrolet Cavalier gave for far fewer dollars.
Best performers in terms of increased sales were the big DeVille and Fleetwood Brougham.
Research had shown, however, that over three-fourths of Cimarron buyers had never bought a Cadillac before; and that many of them had previously owned an import.
Late in 1983, a modern new plant at Orion Township in Michigan had begun production of the new front-drive DeVille, to be introduced for 1985 after early production delays.
Also late in 1983, Cadillac became part of the Buick-Cadillac-Oldsmobile group.
In January 1984, John O. Grettenberger became Cadillac’s new chief.
Cadillac had offered the last American convertible in 1976, but wasn’t the first to return with a ragtop in the ’80s.
Already on the market were Buick Riviera, Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunbird, Chrysler LeBaron, Dodge 600, and Ford Mustang.
Cadillac’s version was, of course, the most costly of the lot for ’84.
The convertible was actually a conversion done by ASC Corporation in Lansing, Michigan, after the car was assembled in New Jersey.
The work included reinforcing inner rockers, radiator support cross rods, and many body braces.
Front and rear anti-roll bars and tougher suspension components were added along with the vinyl convertible top.
All told, the convertible weighed 179 pounds more than the coupe from which it evolved.
Cadillac production figures