Cadillac History 1985 - Amazing Classic Cars

Cadillac Moels & History 1985

Front-wheel drive now became the rule at Cadillac, as in nearly all other makes. Two grand old names, DeVille and Fleetwood, made the switch this year. All Cadillacs except the subcompact Cimarron (and carryover rear-drive Brougham) now carried a transverse-mounted, fuel-injected 4.1 liter V-8 engine with die-cast aluminum-block. Two safety improvements arrived this year: anti-lacerative windshield glass (with inner layer of two-part plastic) on Seville’s Elegante, plus a high-mount stop lamp on all DeVilles and Fleetwoods. That stop lamp would become required on all cars for 1986.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

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 changed to reflect the new front-drive models.
The first character is a “1” to indicate the manufacturing country (U.S.A.)
The second character is a “G” for General Motors
The third is a “6” for Cadillac Division
Character four is the car line (GM body):
- “J” = Cimarron
- “K” = Seville
- “C” = Deville/Fleetwood
- “D” = Brougham
- “E” = Eldorado
Character five indicates series:
- “G” = Cimarron
- “S” = Seville
- “D” = DeVille
- “B” = Fleetwood
- “H” = Fleetwood limousine
- “W” = Fleetwood Brougham (rear drive)
- “L” = Eldorado
Digits six and seven indicate body type:
- “47” = 2-dr. coupe
- “69” = 4-dr. sedan
- “23” = eight passenger limousine
- “33” = formal limousine
- “57” = Eldorado coupe
- “67” = Eldorado convertible
Next is the engine code:
- “P” = L4-121 TBI
- “W” = V6-173 FI
- “8” = V8-249 DFI
- “T” = V6-262 diesel
- “N” = V8-350 diesel
The next symbol is a check digit.
Symbol ten indicates model year (“F” = 1985)
Next is a code for assembly plant:
- “9” = Detroit
- “E” = Linden, NJ
- “J” = Janesville, WI.
Finally comes a six-digit production sequence number
- starting with 000001 for Detroit built cars
- 400001 for Janesville
- 600001 for Linden (E-body)
- 800001 for Linden (K-body)
An identifying number is also on the engine, and a set of codes on a body number plate.

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

Engine	V8 250cc (4.1L)	V8 350cc (5.7L) Diesel
Crankcase	4 qt	6 qt
Crankcase with new filter	5 qt	7
AutomaticTransmission after draining	10 pt	10 pt
Drive Axle	3.5 or 3.2 pt	3.5 or 3.2
Fuel tank	24.5 or 20.3 gal(US)	26 or 22.8 gal(US)
Cooling with heater	11 qt	23.7 or 18.4 qt
Cooling with A/C	11 qt	23.7 or 18.4 qt
Heavy duty Cooling	NA	NA

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code	8
Engine type	V8-250cc (4.1L)
Fuel delivery	DFI
Manufacturer	Cadillac
Original Spark plug	R42CLTS6
Gap	0.060 in.
Distributor	Electronic
Ignition timing (BTDC)	See underhood sticker
Intake valve opens (BTDC)	See underhood sticker
Fuel pump pressure	12 – 14
Idle speed	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)	V8-350cc (5.7L)Diesel
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity	540 amps cold cranking power @ 0°F
Battery Volts	12	12
Battery Terminal Grounded	Neg.	Neg.
Starter, Lock Test, Amps	Not Recommended
Starter, Lock Test, Volts
Starter, Lock Test, Torque
Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps	65 – 95	40 – 140
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts	9	9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM	7000 – 10500	8000 – 13000
Starter, Brush Spring Tension	35 oz. min.	35 oz. min.

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

Engine V.I.N Code	8	N
Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L)
Manufacturer	Cadillac	Oldsmobile
Fuel delivery	DFI	Diesel
Horsepower	135@4200	105@3200
Torque	200@2200	200@1600
Bore x Stoke	3.465 x 3.307	4.057 x 3.385
Compression Ratio	8.5:1 (9:1 with Swirl Cylinder Heads)
Oil pressure	30 psi	40 psi

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel
Main Brg Journal Dia.	2.640	2.9993 – 3.0003
Main Brg Oil Clearance	0.0004 – 0.0027	0.0005 – 0.0021 (No. 5: 0.0015 – 0.0031)
Shaft End-play	0.001 – 0.007	0.004 – 0.014
Thrust on No.	3	3

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel
Journal Dia.	2.052 – 2.054	2.1238 – 2.1248
Oil Clearance	0.0005 – 0.0028	0.0005 – 0.0026
Side Clearance	0.008 – 0.020	0.006 – 0.020

PISTON AND RING SPECS

Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel
Piston-Bore Clearance	0.0008	0.0035 – 0.0045
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression	0.0016 – 0.0037	0.005 – 0.007
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression	0.0016 – 0.0037	0.003 – 0.005
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control	None (side sealing)	0.001 – 0.005
Ring Gap: Top Compression	0.015 – 0.025	0.019 – 0.027
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression	0.015 – 0.025	0.013 – 0.021
Ring Gap: Oil Control	0.010 – 0.050	0.015 – 0.055

VALVE SPECS

Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel
Seat Angle	45°	45°(intake); 31° (exhaust)
Face Angle	44°	44°(intake); 30° (exhaust)
Spring Test Pressure	167 lb @ 1.34″	210 lb @ 1.22″
Spring Installed Height	1-43/64″	1-43/64″
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake	0.0010 – 0.0030	0.0010 – 0.0027
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust	0.0010 – 0.0030	0.0015 – 0.0032
Stem Diameter: Intake	0.3413 – 0.3420	0.3425 – 0.3432
Stem Diameter: Exhaust	0.3411 – 0.3418	0.3420 – 0.3427

TORQUE SPECS

Engine type	V8-250cc(4.1L)	V8-350cc(5.7L) Diesel
Cyl. Head Bolts	90 ft.lb	130 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts	20 ft.lb	42 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts	85 ft.lb	120 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt	Press fit	200 – 310 ft. lb
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts	20 ft.lb	60 ft. lb
Intake Manifold	18 – 22 ft.lb	40 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold	20 ft.lb	25 ft. lb

CARBURETOR SPECS

Carb ID	7056232 (M4ME)	7056230 (M4ME)	7056530 (M4ME)
Float Level	13/32 in	13/32 in	7/16 in
Air Valve Spring	3/8 turn	3/8 turn	3/8 turn
Pump Rod	3/8 in	3/8 in	9/32 in
Primary Vacuum Break	0.160 in	0.160 in	0.160 in
Secondary Vacuum Break	0.160in	0.160in	0.160 in
Choke Rod	0.080 in	0.080 in	0.080 in
Choke Unloader	0.230 in	0.230 in	0.230 in
Fast Idle Speed	1400 rpm	1400 rpm	1400 rpm

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS

Feature	Eldorado	Full size	Seville
Caster Range	2°P – 2½°P	3½°P – 4½°P	2°P – 2½°P
Caster Pref.	2°P	4°P	2°P
Camber LH wheel Range	0° to ½°P	3/32°P to 57/64°P	0° to ½°P
Camber LH wheel Pref.	0°	½°	0°
Camber RH wheel Range	0° to ½°P	3/32°P to 57/64°P	0° to ½°P
Camber RH wheel Pref.	0°	½°	0°
Toe-In	0 to ½”P	¹⁄₈ in.	0 to ½P
Steering Axis Inclination	11°	10-19/32°	11°

HISTORICAL NOTES

1985 Cadillac Notes

Fleetwood and DeVille were introduced April 5, 1984; Eldorado and Seville, October 2, 1984; Cimarron, November 8. 1984.
John O. Grettenberger was general manager
Edward H. Mertz was chief engineer for part of the year
Warren D. Hirschfield became chief engineer
Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
L. B. Pryor was general sales manager
Model year production: 394,840 (including 45,330 early ’85 front-drive DeVille/Fleetwoods).
That total included 11,968 V-6 engines and 1,088 diesels.
Calendar year production: 322,765.
Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 298,762 for a 3.6 percent market share.
Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 310,942 (not including 46,356 front-drive DeVille/Fleetwoods sold as early 1985s). The delayed arrival of the new front-drive DeVille/Fleetwood was due to shortages of the Type 440 four-speed automatic transaxle, produced at GM’s Hydra-matic Division.
Production had been delayed for six months.
For that reason, both rear-drive and front-drive DeVilles were offered to the public at the same time for a while during 1984.
A strike at GM of Canada affected supplies to over 30 General Motors plants in the U.S., including Cadillac’s.
Cadillac production figures