1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

strate, hold the ruler on the desk with one-half of its
length projecting over the edge. See how rigid the ruler
remains when attempts are made to snap it. Now
extend the overhang of the ruler until as much as possible
of its length projects over the edge of the desk.
Its end may be snapped much more easily. The twisting
and snapping tendencies of the crankshaft during engine
One-half Ruler Snap Full Ruler Snap
operation are, of course, in small fractional measurements,
but relatively slight deviation from its true, predetermined
position creates extreme engine vibrations.
The short, rigid crankshaft of the Gadillac-LaSalle V-8
engines holds these deviations to a far lower amount
than it is possible to attain with the long crankshafts of
any straight eight engine. This feature, in addition to
inherent cancellation of inertia forces, make the
Cadillac-built 90° V-8 engines smoother and quieter
to operate, and also provides longer, more dependable
engine life than any straight eight powered automobile.
V-8 DESIGN PROVIDES MOST
EFFICIENT OPERATION
Equalized
Carburetion
With V-type design Cadillac engineers are able to
centralize carburetor location above and between the
two cylinder blocks. The carburetor's central location
permits equal distribution of fuel mixture to every one
of the eight cylinders. The farthest cylinder is only
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