Cadillac Models & History 1986
All-new Eldorado and Seville models entered the lineup for 1986, loaded with a diagnostic system and electronic instruments. Anti-lock braking was a new option on Fleetwood and DeVille. All Cadillacs were now front-wheel drive except the big Brougham, which hung on for another year with a 5.0 liter V-8 under the hood.
Luxury touches promoted in the full-line catalog ranged from golden ignition keys all the way to elegant option packages, to deliver “the feeling of uncompromising excellence.” In keeping with that promise, diesel engines departed from the Cadillac option list, victims of lack of interest and an unimpressive reliability record.
The HT 4100 V-8 added stainless steel exhaust manifolds. Door locks had new rocker switches. Floor consoles contained an ashtray that opened at a finger’s touch. And to keep up with the times, a cellular telephone (“discreetly” positioned in a fold-down armrest) joined the option list. To attract buyers who preferred good handling to a cushy ride, DeVilles could also get a Touring Coupe or Touring Sedan option with stiffer suspension and related extras.
Over 40 body colors were available, including nine Firemist shades and two Pearlmist (black cherry or black emerald) that changed character according to the angle and intensity of sunlight striking the car’s surface.
V.I.N. DATA
- 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 number 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
- Symbol four is the car line (GM body):
- “J” = Cimarron
- “K” = Seville
- “C” = Deville/Fleetwood
- “D” = Brougham
- “E” = Eldorado
- Symbol 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
- Next is the engine code:
- “P” = L4-121 TBI
- “W” = V6-173 FI
- “8” = V8-249 DFI
- “Y” = V8-307 4Bbl.
- The next symbol is a check digit.
- Symbol ten indicates model year (“G” = 1986)
- 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 307cc (5.0L) |
Crankcase |
5 qt |
4 qt |
Crankcase with new filter |
5 qt |
5 |
AutomaticTransmission after draining |
13 pt |
10.6 pt |
Drive Axle |
NA |
3.6 pt |
Fuel tank |
18.0 gal(US) |
24.5 gal(US) |
Cooling with heater |
12.6 qt |
15.3 qt |
Cooling with A/C |
12.6 qt |
15.3 qt |
Heavy duty Cooling |
NA |
NA |
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
Engine V.I.N Code |
8 |
Y |
Engine type |
V8-250cc (4.1L) |
V8-307cc (5.0L) |
Fuel delivery |
DFI |
4 bbl |
Manufacturer |
Cadillac |
Oldsmobile |
Original Spark plug |
R42CLTS6 |
FR3LS6 |
Gap |
0.060 in. |
0.060 in. |
Distributor |
Electronic |
Electronic |
Ignition timing (BTDC) |
See underhood sticker |
See underhood sticker |
Intake valve opens (BTDC) |
See underhood sticker |
See underhood sticker |
Fuel pump pressure |
12-14 |
5½-6½ |
Idle speed |
See underhood sticker |
See underhood sticker |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
Part # |
1105493 |
1105572 |
1105657 |
Field current @ 12 V |
4-4.5 |
4-4.5 |
4-4.5 |
Output |
94 amps |
94 amps |
120 amps |
Regulator |
Solid state |
Solid state |
Solid state |
Volts @ 75° |
13.8-14.8 |
13.8-14.8 |
13.8-14.8 |
BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS
Engine |
V8-250cc (4.1L) |
V8-307cc (5.0L) |
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 |
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 |
8 |
Y |
Engine type |
V8-250cc(4.1L) |
V8-307cc(5.0L) |
Manufacturer |
Cadillac |
Oldsmobile |
Fuel delivery |
DFI |
Diesel |
Horsepower |
[email protected] |
[email protected] |
Torque |
[email protected] |
[email protected] |
Bore x Stoke |
3.465 x 3.307 |
3.800 x 3.385 |
Compression Ratio |
9.1:1 |
7.9:1 |
Oil pressure |
30 psi |
30 psi |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
Engine type |
V8-250cc(4.1L) |
V8-307cc(5.0L) |
Main Brg Journal Dia. |
2.640 |
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) |
Shaft End-play |
0.001-0.007 |
0.0035-0.0135 |
Thrust on No. |
3 |
3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
Engine type |
V8-250cc(4.1L) |
V8-307cc(5.0L) |
Journal Dia. |
2.052-2.054 |
2.1238-2.1248 |
Oil Clearance |
0.0005-0.0028 |
0.0004-0.0033 |
Side Clearance |
0.008-0.020 |
0.006-0.020 |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
Engine type |
V8-250cc(4.1L) |
V8-307cc(5.0L) |
Piston-Bore Clearance |
0.0008 |
0.0008-0.0018 |
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression |
0.0016-0.0037 |
0.0020-0.0040 |
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression |
0.0016-0.0037 |
0.0020-0.0040 |
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control |
None (side sealing) |
0.0010-0.0050 |
Ring Gap: Top Compression |
0.015-0.025 |
0.009-0.019 (with TRW rings: 0.010-0.025) |
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression |
0.015-0.025 |
0.009-0.019 (with TRW rings: 0.010-0.025) |
Ring Gap: Oil Control |
0.010-0.050 |
0.015-0.055 |
VALVE SPECS
Engine type |
V8-250cc(4.1L) |
V8-307cc(5.0L) |
Seat Angle |
45° |
45° (exhaust: 60°) |
Face Angle |
44° |
46° (exhaust: 59°) |
Spring Test Pressure |
167 lb @ 1.34″ |
187 lb @ 1.27″ |
Spring Installed Height |
1-43/64″ |
1-47/64″ |
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) |
V8-307cc(5.0L) |
Cyl. Head Bolts |
90 ft.lb |
125 ft. lb |
Rod Brg Bolts |
22 ft.lb |
42 ft. lb |
Main Brg Bolts |
85 ft.lb |
80 ft. lb (Rear main: 120) |
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt |
Press fit |
200-310 ft. lb |
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts |
37 ft.lb |
60 ft. lb |
Intake Manifold |
|
40 ft. lb |
Exhaust Manifold |
18 ft.lb |
25 ft. lb |
CARBURETOR SPECS
Carb ID |
17086008 (E4MC) |
17086008 (E4MC) |
Float Level |
11⁄32 in. |
14/32 in |
Air Valve Spring |
1/2 turn |
1/2 turn |
Pump Rod |
fixed |
fixed |
Primary Vacuum Break |
0.142 in/25° |
0.142 in/25° |
Secondary Vacuum Break |
0.278 in/43° |
0.278 in/43° |
Choke Rod |
14° |
14° |
Choke Unloader |
0.220 in/35° |
0.220 in/35° |
Fast Idle Speed |
See underhood decal |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
Feature |
Eldorado |
Full size |
Seville |
Caster Range |
1½°P-3½°P |
3½°P-4½°P |
1½°P-3½°P |
Caster Pref. |
2½°P |
4°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 |
1/5 in to 1/5 out |
1⁄8 in. |
1/5 in to 1/5 out |
Steering Axis Inclination |
11° |
10-19/32° |
11° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1986 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced: September 26, 1985 except Eldorado/Seville, November 14, 1985; Fleetwood Brougham, February 13. 1986
- John O. Grettenberger was general manager
- Warren D. Hirschfield was chief engineer
- Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio) until December
- Richard Ruzzin became chief designer (Cadillac Studio) in December
- L. B. Pryor was general sales manager until August
- Peter R. Gerosa became general sales manager in August
- Model year production: 281,296, including 3,628 with four-cylinder engine and 20,906 with V-6, for a 3.6 percent share of the industry total
- Calendar year production: 319,031
- Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 304,657
- Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 300,053 for a 3.8 percent market share.
- Cadillac sales dropped a bit for the second year in a row, barely edging over 300,000, but that was enough to retain dominance among makers of luxury cars
- E-body Eldorado production began at the new Hamtramck, Michigan plant in late 1985, but delays kept output below peak levels
- As a result, Eldorado and Seville sales dropped by half
- The rear-drive Fleetwood Brougham enjoyed a comeback of sorts, due to low gasoline prices and its upgraded V-8 engine
- Front-drive DeVilles and Fleetwoods also gained in sales for the second year
- Cimarron rose as well, but not by much
- Cadillac clung to hopes that Cimarron would gain strength against new imports, such as Acura Legend, despite complaints that it was little more than a fancy Cavalier
- At the upper end of the scale, the future held a new ultra-luxurious two-seater Allante, due out for 1987
- Cadillac production figures
Cimarron24,534 (increased 4,644) Fleetwood/de Ville series215,709 (decreased 15,997) Eldorado21,342 (decreased 55,059) Seville19,098 (decreased 20,657) Series 751,000 (increased 595)
1986 Automotive Notes
- GM news:
- Ford news:
- Chrysler news:
- AMC news:
- Other makes news:
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1986
1. General Motors4,350,916 2. Ford1,809,604 3. Chrysler1,168,836 4. AMC64,873 5. OthersN/A
- Top model year production for 1986
Chevrolet1,368,837 Ford1,253,525 Oldsmobile1,050,832 Buick850,103 Skyhawk87,993 Skylark62,235 Somerset75,620 Century274,507 Regal96,741 LeSabre102,727 Electra130,225 Riviera22,138 Pontiac799,461 Dodge450,365 Mercury399,240 Chrysler367,898 Plymouth350,573 Cadillac281,683 Cimarron24,534 Seville19,098 DeVille & Fleetwood166,207 Eldorado22,842 Fleetwood Brougham49,137 Fleetwood Limousine1,365 Lincoln156,839 AMC64,873 Encore19,109 Alliance67,110 Eagle 308,217 Acura52,869
Keyword: Cadillac History 1986