New CLC Member- 85 Seville

[Roger Klein]

After wanting one for decades, I recently purchased a 1985 Seville Elegante that I intend to restore.

I have sent dues to the CLC and am awaiting processing.

Ive been searching around on the web, and Im suprised by the lack of useful information out there, or perhaps Im looking in the wrong places?

I have ordered Service Manuals, Parts & Illustration Manual, etc.

So, I guess Im looking for good parts sources, technical support resources, tips, etc.

Any help would be greatly apprieciated, thanks.

[Brian Rachlin]

Check out http://www.ht4100.com. TARGET=_blank>www.ht4100.com.  There is LOTS of information about the mechanical aspects of your car.  Some of it, you may not like when you read it, but pay PARTICULAR attention to the oil change subjects, and the COOLANT SUPPLIMENT information, which will be very important to you.

Good Luck with your car!

Brian

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

Thats a beautiful car. Since you didnt mention the HT4100 engine, Im guessing you dont know about its many engineering shortcomings and often very short lifespan. Its one of the most troublesome engines ever put in an American car. A few people have gotten as many as 200,000 miles out of one (probably due to a combination of good luck and very careful maintenance), but many (probably the majority) of HT4100s either started knocking or suffered complete engine failure before 50,000 miles. If you do an internet search for Cadillac HT4100, youll see what Im talking about. The main problem is porosity in the aluminum block, but also head gasket failure (due primarily to the cast iron head on the aluminum block..what were they thinking?), and weak camshafts and main bearings. When the coolant seeps through the porous block and poorly-sealing gaskets and mixes with engine oil, bearing failure and knock occur pretty quickly and can lead to complete engine failure. Camshaft wear is evidenced by increasingly less power from the already somewhat weak engine. During the 80s, it was very common to see stacks of crated factory HT4100 engines and stacks (one technician said like cordwood)of bad HT4100 engines at every Cadillac dealership. New engines were being put in cars with fewer than 30,000 miles. When its running properly, its very smooth and reasonably economical, but short on power (135 horsepower in your 1985 pushing 3,800 pounds of Seville). Many people are willing to put up with HT4100 woes because of some of the cars powered (usually Eldorados and Sevilles).

[Randall McGrew CLC # 17963]

Welcome onboard, Roger!  Glad to have you here!  Do you have pictures of the car yet?    I cant reesist.  Well what you have chosen is a marvelous car.  As you see from the responses above, it will have some challenges but dont be too concerned.  We are all here to help, support and get excited right along with you.  Congratulations!  And the best of luck!

[Mike #19861]

 Yes, welcome aboard, and congratulations on the purchase of the Seville. As Brian recommended, check out HT4100.com and the message board. There is a wealth of information on these cars, and I feel it has become THE scource for HT4100 information.

 Outside of the engine problems, these are pretty reliable cars. They do have the electronic quirks that any 80s car will have, though. But best advice is to do the mainteneance religiously, being oil changes using a good quiality oil and filter and change the coolant on a bi-annual bassis and use the recommended GM coolant additives.

 I currently have an 85 Eldorado that is slowly being returned to health, including an engine rebuild. This is the mechanical twin of your car, and as a matter of fact, I have a well worn 85 Seville I am using as a parts car.

  Mike

[Roger Klein]

Thanks for the welcome.

I was aware that the HT4100 is not the best motor GM has ever come up with, but there seems to be availibility of rebuilt and upgraded editions that address some of its shortcomings, and I really wanted an 84 or 85.

After living "temporarily" in Brooklyn for 16 years (it was a rent-control thing) I finally bought a house with a nice, big garage.  My furniture was moved in last Tuesday, and by Sunday I was pulling the Seville in.

I already own a 1989 Buick Reatta as a hobby car, but have run out of things to fix and tinker with on it, and having an indoor spot to park an additional vehicle was too much to resist.

I found this car on eBay, it was located fairly close to me, and was exactly the vehicle I wanted: Silver/Dark Silver with Bose stereo, and it was cheap enough that if it turns out to be a complete basket case, I can take it apart and sell the pieces on eBay, which would also provide entertainment for me. I still havent determined the cars future, as it is competing with work demands as well as unpacking and Im not looking to get divorced right now.

Heres a link to the eBay auction if youre interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4528356949&rd=1&sspagename=STRK3AMEWN3AIT TARGET=_blank>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4528356949&rd=1&sspagename=STRK3AMEWN3AIT

This is the 4th car Ive bought on eBay, and as is usual, the non-enthusiast owners description is not as detailed/accurate as mine would have been, though more out of ignorance, not with deliberate intent to mislead.

The body is totally rust free, and appears to have been rust-proofed by the selling dealer, but there is some frame rust. The electrics appear to have been inexpertly messed with, and the power steering has little to no fluid in it.

The interior is extremely clean, including nearly perfect carpeting and trim, but like the description says the leather and dash pad are cracked, and additionally the headliner material is extremely dried out and fragile, though not sagging.

So, basically I have a complete car, that runs and drives, but is in need of some serious renovation, precisely what I was looking for.

[Mike]

Amazing.  I was following the car also but could not get the owner to respond to specific inquires.  It looks beautiful.  Good luck.

Mike