The Cadillac Series 90 for 1938 was essentially a Series 75 with a V-16 engine. Even though the wheelbase was
thirteen inches shorter, the bodies were equal or larger in all dimensions than previous Cadillac V-16's. This was
accomplished by fitting the nearly flat engine low in the frame and partially behind the line of the firewall.
V-16's were distinguished from the counterpart V-8's by a coarser pitch eggcrate grille, fender lamps, and
streamlined louvers on the hood side panels and all fender skirts.
The new V-16 engine was of L-head, short stroke square design, cast-en-bloc, with 135 degree Vee. With each
block in running balance, the engine was basically a twin-eight. Dual accessories included carburetors, oil bath
air cleaners, manifolds, distributors, coils, fuel pumps, and water pumps. The fuel pumps were interconnected so
that either one could supply both carburetors if needed. Only the left hand distributor contained breaker arms; the
two arms being electrically independent but operated by a single eight-lobe cam. The right hand unit acted only
to distribute the high tension voltage to the spark plugs in the right bank. A cross pipe connected both exhaust
manifolds and fed into a single down-pipe at the left. The generator was placed low in the Vee and was driven
by an internal rubber ring in the fan hub acting on a driven wheel on the generator shaft. This arrangement
allowed for fan speeds less than engine speed and generator speeds nearly twice engine speed - it lasted only one
year.
I. D. DATA
Serial numbers were on frame side bar, just ahead of the steering gear.
Starting: Same as engine number.
Ending: Same as engine number.
Engine numbers were on upper rear left hand corner of left cylinder block, parallel with cylinder head.
Starting Engine Number: 5270001.
Ending: 5270315.
Fleetwood Series 39-96 141 in. Wheelbase
Style Number
Style
Seating
Price
Weight
38-9057
Coupe
2
5335
4915
38-9057-8
Coupe
5
5440
5015
38-9067
Convertible Coupe
2
5440
4905
38-9019
Sedan
5
5135
5105
38-9019-F
Imperial Sedan
5
5215
5165
38-9059
Formal Sedan
5
6050
5105
38-9039
Town Sedan
5
5695
5140
38-9029
Convertible Sedan
5
6000
5350
38-9023
Sedan
7
5265
5185
38-9033
Imperial Sedan
7
5420
5345
38-9033-F
Formal Sedan
7
6050
5345
38-9053
Town Car
7
7170
5415
ENGINE
135 degree Vee
L-Head
Sixteen Cylinders
Cast iron block
Bore & Stroke: 3-1/4 in. x 3-1/4 in.
Displacement: 431 cu. in.
Compression Ratio: 7:1
Brake Horsepower: 185 @ 3600 rpm
SAE/Taxable Horsepower: 67.6
Main bearings: Nine
Valve lifters: Hydraulic
Carburetor: Carter WDO 407s(L) - 408s(R)
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 141 in.
Overall length: 200-5/8 in.
Front Tread: 60-1/2 in.
Rear Tread: 62-1/2 in.
Tires: 7.5O x l6
TECHNICAL
Selective synchro manual transmission.
Speeds: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse
Left Hand Drive; Gearshift on column; handbrake at left
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