Cadillac Models & History1970
Atotal of 238,745 Cadillacs, built for the 1970 model run, set an all-time divisional record. Calendar year sales totals were off the mark, however, due to a major G.M. strike. They peaked at just 152,859 units. George R. Elges became general manager of Cadillac Division this year. Sales of the new Cadillac line began September 18, 1969. The optional Trackmaster skid control system was made available for the Eldorado, subsequent to initial model introduction.
For 1970, there were five models: Calais (two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), DeVille (two-door coupe, two-door convertible, four-door sedan, and four-door hardtop sedan), Fleetwood Sixty-Special (four-door sedan and four-door brougham), Fleetwood Seventy-five (four-door sedan, four-door limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.), and Fleetwood Eldorado (two-door hardtop coupe)
I. D. NUMBERS
- Vehicle identification numbers were stamped on the top of the instrument panel this year and were visible through the windshield
- The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
- The first symbol was a number “6” to indicate “Cadillac”
- The second and third symbol represented the series code number
- “82” for Calais
- “83” for DeVille
- “93” for Eldorado
- “80” for Fleetwood 60 Special
- “81” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
- “97” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- “98” for Commercial chassis
- The fourth and fifth symbol represented the Fisher Body Division Code
- 23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
- 33 = 4-dr limo sedan
- 47 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
- 49 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
- 67 = 2-dr convertible
- 69 = 4-dr sedan
- 90 = commerical chassis
- The sixth symbol was a number “0” for 1970 model year
- The seventh symbol was a letter to represent the assembly plant
- Q = Detroit, Michigan
- E = Linden, New Jersey
- The next six numbers beginning with 100001 at each assembly plant was the sequential serial number
SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
Engine |
V8 472cc (7.7L) |
V8 500cc (8.2L) |
Crankcase |
4 or 5 qt |
5 qt |
Crankcase with new filter |
5 or 6 qt |
6 qt |
AutomaticTransmission after draining |
25 or 26 pt |
26 pt |
Drive Axle |
5 or 4.5 pt |
4.5 pt |
Fuel tank |
26 gal (US) |
24 gal (US) |
Cooling with heater |
21 qt |
20 qt |
Cooling with A/C |
21 qt |
20 qt |
Heavy duty Cooling |
25 qt |
22 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 in. |
0.016 in. |
Ignition timing (BTDC) |
8° |
7½° |
Intake valve opens (BTDC) |
18° |
18° |
Fuel pump pressure |
6 psi |
6 psi |
Idle speed |
600 rpm |
600 rpm |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
Part # |
1100908 |
1100909 |
1100694 |
1100910 |
|
Field current @ 12 V |
2.2 – 2.6 |
2.2 – 2.6 |
2.2 – 2.6 |
2.8 – 3.2 |
|
Output |
42 amps |
42 amps |
55 amps |
63 amps |
130 amps |
Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap |
0.015 in. |
0.015 in. |
0.015 in. |
0.015 in. |
Transistor-Type |
Regulator Field-Relay: Point Gap |
0.030 in. |
0.030 in. |
0.030 in. |
0.030 in. |
Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close |
1.5 – 3.2 |
1.5 – 3.2 |
1.5 – 3.2 |
1.5 – 3.2 |
Regulator Air Gap |
0.060 in. |
0.060 in. |
0.060 in. |
0.060 in. |
Regulator Point Gap |
0.014 in. |
0.014 in. |
0.014 in. |
0.014 in. |
Regulator Volts @ 75°F |
13.5 – 14.4 |
13.5 – 14.4 |
13.5 – 14.4 |
13.5 – 14.4 |
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 |
70 – 99 |
70 – 99 |
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts |
9 |
9 |
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM |
7800 |
7800 |
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 |
[email protected] |
[email protected] |
Torque |
[email protected] |
[email protected] |
Bore x Stoke |
4.300 in. x 4.060 in. |
4.300 in. x 4.304 in. |
Compression Ratio |
10.00:1 |
10.0:1 |
Oil pressure |
35 – 40 psi |
34 – 40 psi |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
Engine type |
V8-472cc (7.7L) |
V8-500cc (8.2L) |
Main Brg Journal Dia. |
3.250 in. |
3.250 in. |
Main Brg Oil Clearance |
0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in. |
0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in. |
Shaft End-play |
0.002 in. – 0.012 in. |
0.002 in. – 0.012 in. |
Thrust on No. |
3 |
3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
Engine type |
V8-472cc (7.7L) |
V8-500cc (8.2L) |
Journal Dia. |
2.5000 in. |
2.5000 in. |
Oil Clearance |
0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in. |
0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in. |
Side Clearance |
0.008 in. – 0.016 in. |
0.008 in. – 0.016 in. |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
Engine type |
V8-472cc (7.7L) |
V8-500cc (8.2L) |
Piston-Bore Clearance |
0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in. |
0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in. |
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression |
0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression |
0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control |
None (side sealing) |
None (side sealing) |
Ring Gap: Top Compression |
0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression |
0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
Ring Gap: Oil Control |
0.015 in. – 0.055 in. |
0.015 in. – 0.055 in. |
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. |
160 lb @ 1.50 in. |
Spring Installed Height |
115⁄16 in. (1.671875 in.) |
115⁄16 in. (1.9375 in.) |
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake |
0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in. |
0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in. |
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust |
0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in. |
0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in. |
Stem Diameter: Intake |
0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in. |
0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in. |
Stem Diameter: Exhaust |
0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in. |
0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in. |
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 |
7047030 (4MV) |
Float Level |
1⁄4 in. |
Pump Rod |
11⁄32 in. |
Choke Unloader |
0.300 in. |
Fast Idle Speed |
1925 rpm |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
Feature |
Eldorado |
Full size |
Caster Range |
1½°N – 2½°N |
1½°N – ½°N |
Caster Pref. |
2°N |
1°N |
Camber LH wheel Range |
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
Camber LH wheel Pref. |
0° |
0° |
Camber RH wheel Range |
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
Camber RH wheel Pref. |
0° |
0° |
Toe-In |
0 – 1⁄8 in. |
1⁄8 in. – 1⁄4 in. |
Steering Axis Inclination |
11° |
6° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1970 Cadillac Notes
- A total of 238,745 Cadillacs, built for the 1970 model run, set an all-time divisional record.
- Calendar year sales totals were off the mark, however, due to a major G.M. strike.
- They peaked at just 152,859 units.
- George R. Elges was general manager
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
- Sales of the new Cadillac line began September 18, 1969.
- The optional Trackmaster skid control system was made available for the Eldorado, subsequent to initial model introduction.
- Cadillac production figures
Calais19,822 (increased 7,397) Sedan de Ville90,504 (increased 9,656) Coupe de Ville76,043 (increased 10,288) de Ville convertible15,172 (decreased 1,273) Eldorado23,842 (increased 509) Series 6018,651 (decreased 1,194) Series 754,622 (increased 36)
1970 Automotive Notes
- A recession in 1970 affects new-car sales so that the volume drops below 7.6 million cars
- 60% of all new cars are air conditioned
- All cars are required to have anti-theft steering-column, ignition locks, and both front and rear side marker lights
- New features include front seatbacks that unlatch when the door is opened, tamper-proof odometers, and electrically heated rear defrosters
- The US federal government awards contracts to develop a safety vehicle in which passengers could survive a 50-mph crash
- Imports, esp. from Japan, record 14.6% of all US sales
- GM news:
- GM produces three V-8 engines to give low emisions: 402-cid (6.6 litre), 454-cid (7.4 litre), 500-cid (8.2 litre)
- GM signs a $50-million license agreement with Curtiss-Wright Corp. for the rights to develop a Wankel rotary engine
- Eldorado, Riviera, and Toronado get electronic skid-control braking
- Eldorado’s 500-cid V-8 (8.2 litre) with 400 bhp is the world’s biggest production-car engine
- Cadillac offers a power sunroof and signal-seeking radio
- Chevrolet sells 130,657 Monte Carlo personal luxury coupe with its six-foot long hood — longest in Chevy’s history
- Chevrolet’s 350-cid (5.7 litre), 300-bhp V-8 (4.9 litre) is now standard in Avanti II, whose styling remains the same
- Full-size Chevys and Corvettes get the big-block 454 V-8 option
- Monte Carlo gets a SS 454 option
- Chevy II changes its name to Nova
- The Chevelle is facelifted to resemble the full-size Chevrolet
- Buick introduces the new GSX muscle car
- The Buick GSX “Stage 1” will top 100 mph in the quarter-mile
- Most Buicks come standard or available with the 455-cid V-8 (7.5 litre) producing 350 or 370 bhp
- Because Pontiac offers only full-size cars, they lose nearly 180,00 sales
- In California, station wagons have plastic gasoline tanks
- GM endures a 67-day strike as the 1971 model year begins
- Edward N. Cole was president of GM
- James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM
- Ford news:
- Ford out-sells Chevrolet by over half a million cars
- Late in 1970, Ford abandons most racing efforts
- Ford promotes its 12-month warranty with no mileage limitation
- Last year for Ford Falcon
- Ford Maverick sells over half a million at $1995
- The all-new Lincoln Continental sedan and hardtop are built on body-on-frame construction and conventional fron-hinged rear doors
- Lincoln-Mercury dealers sell the German-built Capri as a “mini-ponycar”
- Chrysler news:
- Chrysler enters the subcompact market by importing the British-made Plymouth Cricket and the Japanese-made Dodge Colt.
- Chrysler introduces the 300-H “Hurst” hardtop
- Chrysler offers an optional headlight-delay sistem
- Chrysler introduces the limited-edition Cordoba hardtop coupe and sedan
- Last year for Chrysler’s Newport and 300 convertibles
- Last year for the Dodge Coronet R/T of which only 2319 hardtops and 296 convertibles were built
- Dodge introduces the Challenger ponycar to challenge Camaro and Mustang
- Plymouth Barracuda is similar to the Challenger
- Plymouth adds the Duster based on the Valiant as well as the winged Road Runner Superbird
- Imperial drops the Crown series, but the LeBaron continues
- AMC news:
- AMC replaces the Rambler American with the compact Hornet
- In April, AMC introduces the first American subcompact: the Gremlin at $1879
- The windshields on the AMC Javelin and AMX have a cemically treated inner pane to reduce the possibility of facial lacerations upon impact
- AMC acquires Kaiser-Jeep Corp. to become the leading four-wheel-drive vehicle producer
- AMC’s Rebel “The Machine” runs a strong 390-cid (6.4 litre), 340-bhp V-8 (5.6 litre) and displays wild muscle-car striping
- Other makes news:
- Excalibur Series II debuts with a roadster and phaeton using a 111-inch wheelbase and Chevy’s 300-bhp, 350-cid V-8 (5.7 litre)
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1970
1. General Motors3,681,484 2. Ford2,480,027 3. Chrysler1,483,126 4. AMC276,110 5. Others545
- Top model year production for 1970
Ford2,096,184 Chevrolet1,451,305 Plymouth747,508 Pontiac690,953 Buick666,501 Skylark194,084 Sportwagon12,241 Gran Sport20,096 LeSabre200,622 Estate Wagon28,306 Wildcat Custom23,615 Electra 225150,201 Riviera37,336 Oldsmobile633,981 Dodge543,019 Mercury324,716 AMC276,110 Cadillac238,744 Calais9,911 DeVille181,719 Eldorado28,842 Series Sixty Special1,738 Fleetwood Brougham16,913 Series Seventy-Five4,622 Chrysler180,777 Lincoln59,127 Imperial11,822 Checker (not including taxicabs)397 Avanti II111 Excalibur37
Keyword: Cadillac History 1970