1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

aintenance Suggestions
Body
The body of your car deserves the same care and attention
as the chassis. Care of the body consists simply of regular
lubrication of those body parts requiring it, and regular
cleaning of the finish and the upholstery.
Care of Finish—The lacquer finish of the car can be
kept new and lustrous with only a thorough wiping with a
soft dry cloth every few days. With this care, washing will
be required only when considerable mud or dust has accumulated.
Washing the car can be accomplished simply and easily
with plenty of clean, cold water, a soft wool sponge, and a
clean chamois. Soap and hot water are not only unnecessary
but undesirable. Never wash the car in the direct rays of
the hot sun and never wash it when the sheet metal surfaces
are hot from a hard run.
In the winter time the car should be washed frequently
if it is driven over roads or streets where salt or
calcium chloride are used to melt snow or ice. These
road chemicals have a severe effect on the finish of lacquer
or plated parts if allowed, to remain on them for
any length of time.
If the car finish appears dull after washing, the original
brightness and lustre may be restored by the use of a good
lacquer polish. It is important to use only a dependable
lacquer polish as some polishes contain excessive abrasive
material and other harmful ingredients.
Care of Upholstery—Regular monthly cleaning of the
car's interior with a vacuum cleaner and a whisk broom will
keep the upholstery in the best of condition and will prevent
excessive wear.
Spots on the upholstery can usually be cleaned with any
good dry cleaner used sparingly. We recommend Cadillac
Fabric Cleaner.
Page 44
Engine
The Cadillac V-8 engine has a cylinder bore of 3½" and
a piston stroke of 4½*. The taxable horsepower is 39.2,
although the engine actually develops 135 horsepower at
3400 R. P. M.
The amount of attention required by the engine is surprisingly
small, considering the number of working parts and
wearing surfaces. All that is required is adequate lubrication
with the correct grade of engine oil (see page 38), and occasional
adjustments as explained in the following paragraphs.
Ignition System—The ignition system must supply to
each cylinder in turn at exactly the right time a spark hot
enough to ignite the highly compressed gasoline mixture in
the cylinders. And, at the ordinary cruising speed of 60
miles per hour, the system must supply approximately 11,000
of these sparks per minute. Is it any wonder that the ignition
contact points and spark plugs require occasional
attention ?
The need for attention to the ignition system is usually
indicated by sluggish engine performance, due to the lack of
a hot enough spark. Many experienced owners do not wait
for this symptom, however, but have the ignition system
checked periodically, twice a year or oftener. The ignition
system should always be
checked at the beginning
of cold weather in the
fall, to assure easy starting
during the winter
months.
Page 45
The work required by
the ignition system consists
of the following:
Cleaning the spark
plugs and setting the gap
to .025-.030 inch. Install