20 Most Recent 1980 Cadillac Deville Questions & Answers

Was the engine running before you replaced the distributor ?If yes, the distributor gear could be off a few teeth which would make the timing off.Are you getting spark to the plugs ?

The performance of the engine is not to specifications as there can be fault in the cylinder, valves the fuel settings or the ignition - spark intensity.Check the compression on all cylinders, check the valve settings or correct so that there is good seating. The fuel setting is important as the engine was unused , the only solution is to fully overhaul, use a repair kit, clean all ports, chambers with a test for flow.Finally remove plug and check spark intensity, if low check ignition system, points, capacitor, HT wires, plugs and HT coil. One set back the timing must be checked for the best performance , if all the above factors are good.

May very well be a fuel issue if it wants to try and start on ether.
That have the quadrajet feedback carburator? Look down the through (hold the choke open) and work the throttle. Do you see fuel spray?
You can also try and disconnect the fule line between the pump and carb and crank it to see if fuel comes out. You may have a bad pump or simply a plugged filter.

Something is staying on after the key is turned off. easy way to find out what is staying energized is pull all fuses, disconect the battery, then put the amp meter in line with the positive side of the system between the positive battery post and the positive cable end. then put the fuses back in one at a time a see which one draws one or two amps. that will lead you to the draw down circuit. If nothing is pulling the battery down then the battery is not getting a full charge. Check the ground conection at the motor side of the cable and also the ground strap between the motor and the firewall

The easiest repair and cause could be a "stuck" thermostat" Has the coolant been replaced? I assume no water leaks...(ie...heater core) Also check the underhood control cable that swithes air from cold to hot...

a place in california has them, called cadillac king, they have a web site

Check the end leads on the ignition switch. You should be able to disconnect the housing around the steering wheel. Remove the ignition switch and check the leads. If you smell or see them burnt, replace the switch. Otherwise you need to take a look the carb. Most times, it has a problem recieving fuel, which causes it to "try" to turn over but doesn't allow it to start.

Check the fluid level. HOT and in neutral. If the level is low or not on the stick it IS the problem. If this isn't the problem, check the linkages to the transmission itself. The torque coverter cannot convert torque if there is no fluid to transfer the power from the output shaft of the engine to the input shaft in the tranny. Your transmission may also suffer from a clogged/dirty filter, or some other restriction in the MANY channels therein.