1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

and LaSalle, provide their exceedingly large, powerful
engines with low piston travel which makes these
engines quieter, longer lived and the most economical
to operate relative to their size of all engines built
today. Inherently undesirable accessory drive gears
are, therefore, unnecessary to all Cadillac-built engines.
Greater power and performance is now available in
the Cadillac Fleetwood by increasing the horsepower
development of this model to 140. This has been
achieved by increasing the compression ratio to 6.7—1.
Other Cadillac V-8's and LaSalle continue with a
6.25 1 compression ratio.
A torsional vibration dampener is used on the Cadillac
crankshaft as a refinement to this more powerful engine.
Two Peak Load Generators, both of improved capacity,
are used. LaSalle, Cadillac Sixty and V-8
have a voltage regulated Peak Load Generator. Its
charging rate is nearly constant throughout the speed
range of the car above 20 miles per hour. A current
control is added to the Fleetwood generator which
makes its charging rate absolutely constant throughout
the speed range above 20 miles per hour.
Mountings
The engine is supported at three points in live
rubber. Two rubber cushions support the engine on
both forward sides on the frame side bars. A third
support is at the rear of the transmission extension.
These three supports permit the engine to rock freely
and utilize the engine's weight in steadying the frame.
This is an important factor in Cadillac-LaSalle high
speed roadability. Use of three supports permits the
engine to align itself constantly with the frame like a
three-legged stool.
Other methods involving only one support for the
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