Cadillac - Coupe De Ville - Workshop Manual - 1981 -1981

HERE IS THE STORY ABOUT MY ONE OWNER 1981 Cadillac Coupe De Ville 368 CID modulated V8-6-4 gasoline engine - AND equipped with a Propane DUAL FUEL option. It is time to find a new keeper for my one owner 1981 Cad coupe DeVille. It was bought new at Thomas Cadillac in Los Angeles and it runs beautifully. When we took delivery I had it retrofitted with a "dual fuel" set up enabling it to run on gasoline or clean burning, lower cost Propane. During its lifetime it is Propane that has been the primary fuel - - with the exceptional rare use of gasoline as a "back up" fuel in event the propane runs out on the fly. This enables me to switch over to the gasoline and run on it while making it to the Propane fill center. Propane costs about a buck less per gal. than the premium fuel needed in this V-8 gasoline engine car and the GREAT BENEFIT is that the engine life when run on Propane is said to be about 3 times longer than that of conventional gasoline service powered engine. We bought our 1981 Cadillac Coupe De Ville just after the 1982 models had come out and I test drove the new 1982 with the new 4.1L 125HP aluminum alloy V-8 which could hardly push the load of that car. It was really a pitiful thing to see what Cadillac had done. This is when I opted to go with the 5-yr - 50K warranty 81 model which was in dealer stock and it has been a great performing and running car. The 1981 has the 368 CID modulated V8-6-4 computer controlled engine. This is the first Cadillac to have that advanced engine management system and the 368 CID V-8 is the same engine that was used in the 1982 - 1984 V8 factory limousine which was fuel injected as well. Why is this excellent running car available? I've been intending to do a full on cosmetic restoration of the car with paint in the same Twilight Blue and the Cabriolet vinyl top replacement. However, owing to my age and health condition it is not possible now to take on such a project. The D'Elegance upholstery is good in a dark blue and very comfortable with the back seating having had very little use. Ideally this Cadillac needs to go into the hands of one who is younger, wants a mechanically good - no accident straight no rust - one owner California Cad to have and drive as is - - in need of cosmetic restoration - - and perhaps immediately or later restore it to the beauty it was when we took delivery from Thomas Cadillac back in Oct.1981. Immediately after taking delivery the car was taken over to have a Webasto glass moon roof installed. It is far superior and quieter to the noisy factory installed option. From there it was delivered for the Propane retrofit at the Propac specialty firm. Because this is the FIRST on board computer controlled modulated engine introduced by Cadillac, it is a classic and was sold with a 5 yr - 50,000 mile warranty due to the newness of the offering. Now it is only driven a few miles a month to "exercise" it and can continue to be used in this way without doing anything to restore the beautiful appearance it had - - then eventually doing the cosmetics which, if that’s wanted, will position it to win some Concourse prizes. In checking Hemmings Motor News recently I see where these older Cads are being offered in the $10,000 to $12,000 range. None were of the 1981 series 368 CID modulated V8-6-4 engine. Because of the uniqueness of this Cadillac being the FIRST computer controlled 4-6-8 engine it should put it in a special collector classification. By the way, when the propane system was installed, a toggle switch was added that would allow it to operate under the 4-6-8 modulated process OR operate as a fully engaged 8 cylinder engine. The computer readout showing MPG shows the gas mileage and range at a glance. From the AC control panel it is possible to read the on board computer codes to determine if there are any technical issues that need attention. As to the value of this car, to install the Propane system that is in this car, would cost over $4,700.00. As to a price to purchase it, I’m open to offers. What’s a fair price for a great running rear wheel drive, Coupe De Ville today? The one who buys the last of my collection can drive it home in Cadillac style. Then this one owner Calif. rust free car can undergo the fairly simple cosmetic treatment I had planned on doing that will create a “ride” worth $25,000 or more as this style Cadillac gains even greater rarity. These documents are available that provide details on the following: PURCHASE ORDER-10-7-81-white.pdf List of factory accessory that came with the car.pdf New car delivery MILEAGE STATEMENT.pdf Mutual Propane current cost for the Dual Fuel system.pdf Webasto Moon Roof.pdf Dlr supplied Floor Mats - Dk Blue.pdf Smog Check PASS report – October 15, 2013 An inventory of parts will go with the car for that cosmetic restoration project. They include things like a new driver door body side molding chrome piece; ABS body filler panel parts; spare tail lamp assemblies; NOS door rubber seals; new carpet floor mats; a full set of technical manuals – the one for the electrical system is about 5 ft in length. There are factory parts catalog sheets and more. It was my plan to do the cosmetic restoration at an earlier period in my life however things have not worked out to where this is possible now at my age. If this is a car you are interested in owning, make me an offer and we can go from there. Thanks. Conway Chester Email: [email protected] Newport Beach, CA. Land line tel: 949/644-6333 [calls between 9 AM & 9 PM Pacific Time, please] CURRENT APPEARANCE Gas to Propane switch over on the fly Trunk installed LPG manifold tank. Fuel filled from behind the license plate. THE WAY IT CAN APPEAR 1981 Cadillac DeVille Coupe $24,900 Add $4,700 for DUAL FUEL & ?? For Moon Roof LAKELAND, Florida 33813 May 2014 Vehicles for Sale HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/cadillac/deville/1641355.html