I saw this add for 81 Deville on Craigslist http://www.cornermotors.com/inventory.html and started laughing when I saw him list the motor as 4.1 V6. I had no idea they put these in Caddies. Anyone ever own one? If so what kind of luck did you have?

They were dangerously underpowered. Gas mileage on a steady highway roll was maybe 2 mpg better than the same car with a 368. The early 2004R transmissions suffered from broken sun shells. That chassis felt cheap with a light engine underhood.

These made excellent door cars for engine swaps back in the late 80s!
Only better donor car was an HT-4100 model. They used to follow me home.

That 4.1 block is sought after by Grand National heads.

Not to hijack the thread, but Apeman, I see a '94 W140 Coupe in your ownership line....sweeeet!

I always wanted a 126 coupe but they are too ratty for the money. The
W140 has a reputation for the wiring going bad due to environmentally safe insulation going bad. Same B.S. as the 8/6/4s being junk 25 years ago. Gotta love bench racing and rumor repeaters. Great way to get a nice ride for a lot less bux. I'm more than happy as long as my evaporator core holds up. :alchi:

Good to have another W140 owner on the site....any pics of yours?

If you'd like to see mine, there's a big thread in the lounge entitled "Der Benz Ist Meiner"..that's all about mine.


Anyways...back to 4.1L V6 deVilles.

I'll shoot some pix and maybe start another thread about cars worthy of being parked next to a FWBC. Stay tuned.

My 81 has a 4.1 V6. It is no rocket, but i'd say it outperforms an HT4100. Off the line it has plenty of power, and with the 3.41 gears, it'll even burn rubber!

But I agree with whatelse i've seen... The chassis does "feel cheap" The car rides like a lumber wagon. It could definately use the extra weight and heavier springs in the front end.

It's a fine car though, as far as reliability. At least, the head gaskets are FINE unlike another cadillac in my driveway :crying2:

I also want a W126 SEC Coupe btw, Sold my 91 560SEL last summer. Wish i still had it sometimes.

I'd be very interested to how the power and torque curves of the 4.1L V6 and HT4100 stand up next to each other!

Well, I don't have graphs, but perhaps this will enlighten someone, and give somewhat of an answer to the last person who posted:

These figures are for 1982, when Both engines were availible.

The 4.1L (252) Buick V6:

125hp @ 3800
210 ft-lb @ 2000
3.23:1 Final drive.

The HT4100 V8:

125hp@ 4200
190 ft-lb @ 2000
3.42:1 Final drive.

In 1983, The numbers increased slightly for the 4100:

135hp@ 4400, and 200 ft-lb @ 2000

So the V6 always had more torque, and develops its full output sooner. The 4100 came with steeper gears too.

Aaron

Hmmmm...interesting. Thanks for digging that up for me!

If the engine is original, it will more than likely have the crankshaft with the rolled fillets in the journals (for strength) also used in the turbo engines (hence its desirability). I know that it would be a strange car to have on a wish list, but I always wanted a RWD Caddy with the Buick 6, It would actually be fun to put forged pistons and a turbo set up with alky injection. The V6 is pretty stout and responds well to mods (there are a couple of books that show up on ebay that go through the details) I always felt that in the 80's GM had some great ideas, but just didn't follow through:

Full size Caddy's with a turbo 4.1 V6
The 368 with DEFI and an overdrive tranny.
The smallest cadillac should have been built on the Regal/ Grand Prix (G body) chassis instead of the J car Cimmaron

YES! I've been thinking turbo. The engine in my car runs like brand new. I've thought plenty about putting a V8 in it, it'd ride better and just feel better. But a turbo might just be sweet.

I agree also, a G body Cadillac would have been pretty cool. At least G bodys were attractive coupes. I'm not so sure how attractive a G body sedan might have been as a cadillac. I'm tempted to photoshop one.

Aaron

When you guys say the V6 deVilles rode like ass, what did you mean? Having the smaller engine made the car ride bad? How?

A G body sedan Cadillac would look pretty damn close to the first gen Seville IMO.

When you guys say the V6 deVilles rode like ass, what did you mean? Having the smaller engine made the car ride bad? How?

I think it's because the extra weight under the hood made the cars feel more solid, and sturdy. Plus I'd think the suspension would feel a bit softer supporting the weight.

The 368 with DEFI and an overdrive tranny.
The smallest cadillac should have been built on the Regal/ Grand Prix (G body) chassis instead of the J car Cimmaron

Right.:yup:

A G body sedan Cadillac would look pretty damn close to the first gen Seville IMO.



I think it's because the extra weight under the hood made the cars feel more solid, and sturdy. Plus I'd think the suspension would feel a bit softer supporting the weight.

The difference with 125 lbs more under the hood is dramatic. Swapping even a 425 for a 500 makes the car feel more like a car.

The difference with 125 lbs more under the hood is dramatic. Swapping even a 425 for a 500 makes the car feel more like a car.

Hmmmm.....

HT4100 has aluminum block too.... Olds 307 is all cast iron....
never really paid much attention to it.

the '79 and the '89 are pretty close in weight also.

Hi all,

There is a 1981 Sedan deVille with a V6 and low mileage on ebay currently. Car also does not have the optional vinyl roof.

Dave