68 Eldorado

[Jim Miller]

I'm checking a 68 Eldorado. Before I go in person to see, any info for that year I should be cautious of or to look for? I have a 41, 49, and a 70 but not familiar with any particulars on a 68 or the Eldorado.
Thanks for any input
Jim Miller

[TJ Hopland]

I believe 68 is a year the front rotors are just about impossible to find.

[J. Skelly]

Jim,

Look for rust at the base of both 'A' pillars.  If it has a vinyl top, look for rust on the sail panels of the roof and around the rear window.  These also rust around the wheel openings of the front fenders, and in the usual places behind the lower body moldings, inside bottom of the doors, lower quarter panels, in the trunk and the leading edge of the hood.  The front floor pans also tend to rust out.  Check the drive axle boots for cracks, look for leaks in the engine and transmission.  Adding to what Mr. Hopland stated, I read a year ago or so that rotors for the '67-'68 are again available.

[James Landi]

The early Eldorados absolutely need the air shocks inflated to attain the appropriate ride height and to keep the single rear leaf springs happy.  If the vacuum actuated high pressure pump is still operating, it will fail, and there are no repair kits to fix it. There are several "work arounds," but you'll need to be handy to create an alternative system.  I know for certain that the front wheel bearings on the '67 were single units ...wide, heavy, and very expensive.  Mine failed when the car was 15 years old (early 80's), but it had a load of miles on it  (odometer was broken at 139 K)  Otherwise, the 67 and 68 were very durable and if not run hard, they would keep going.  Leaky valve cover gaskets and front main engine seal will eventually weaken the 3 rubber motor mounts, and they can create a situation where the engine is not sufficiently anchored. Does the climate control and a/c work? Not a cheap fix EVER...Another issue involves tire pressure... Cadillac engineers recommended 24 psi front and 22 psi rear ... inflating modern tires to standard pressure causes the car to ride harshly over any road with imperfections..   

[TJ Hopland]

Did disc or drums make a difference on the bearings?  Are the 69-70 bearings the same as 71-78?

CV axles were different in 67 at least, was that due to the bearings or some other reason?

Are air shocks still available for these?   I got a theory that they are not making any air shocks anymore, we are just working of existing stock.  I have quit replacing them in pairs because it always seems to be just one that fails so I was throwing away working ones.  They seem to be failing faster as time goes on and the packaging they come in seems to be getting more and more beat up.  Also whats in the boxes has looked identical with no labeling no matter who's name if any is on the box. 


Any car that came with factory auto level air shocks need to have air shocks to ride right so that's not unique to these.  If you want to get rid of the air you have to change the springs. At this age leaf springs may be easier than the coils that later cars used.  I think I still know of shops that can easily do custom leaf springs but I don't know of any that do custom coils.

[James Landi]

"Did disc or drums make a difference on the bearings?  Are the 69-70 bearings the same as 71-78?"
 
I know for certain that early in the Eldorado  manufacture-run, the engineers changed out the large, single front
and very expensive wheel bearing arrangement to two wheel bearings per side. Not certain that the change in design occurred in '68 with the disc brakes (the drums were hardly adequate).   Jim Miller is asking about "concerns" regarding a '68. He doesn't tell us just what his expectations are --- if he's looking at an expensive showroom perfect, low mileage example or one that's a driver with close to 100k miles. The two I purchased of that era way back in the early 70's were well used, and I found them durable, but I also drove them carefully and spent money on the things we listed as potential issues. Perhaps he'll provide more information.  James

[billyoung]

The 1966 Olds Toronado front drive axels are unique, the 1967 thru 1978 front drive axels are the same and the repair or replacement are not a problem. The expense comes in with the headlight door actuators they became  made of unobtanium so a Man who I know here in Florida George Kyritsis AKA ( Eldorado George ) and you can see video's of him repairing Cadillac parts on You Tube. He knows exactly what he is doing, he is not inexpensive quite the opposite but he is an expert and is very generous with help and advice. He has designed and produced brand new direct replacement headlight door actuators for 1967 and '68 Eldorado's. So typical rust areas aside, the first two years of Eldorado is a couple of the most beautiful Cadillac's ever produced. I have owned 4 1967's many years ago. Just be aware if you intend to drive one rather than just park and admire it, they can be expensive to keep. One Mans Opinion.

[Jim Miller]

Thanks for all the feedback. I agree with Bill that those years were some of the most beautiful Cadillacs.