1930 Cadillac Brochure Front Cover - GM Heritage Center

Pistons are gauged for eccenlricily
on this sensitive machine and
then assorted into groups varying
from each other by only a thousandth
of an inch, so thai they
may he matched with cylinders of
like dimensions
combinations remain unchanged
and the method
of operation is as heretofore.
It is no longer necessary
to hesitate momentarily in neutral but the lever may be moved
with an even and uniform motion. The gears and shafts of the
Cadillac transmission are of alloy steel, casehardened. The faces of
the teeth are cut on a gear shaper and then accurately ground to a
perfect involute. The tooth faces have been widened to distribute
the pressure on a larger area, resulting in a reduction of wear and
gear noise.
This transmission has been designed so as to enable Cadillac
cars to meet the traffic conditions of today. A few years ago, when
there were far fewer automobiles on the street, the problem of getaway
in traffic did not exist. Today, however, is a different story;
the motorist who wants to save time in crowded city streets must
be able to slide out ahead of the procession when the traffic signal
flashes green. The Syncro-Mesh transmission enables him to do so.
It permits him to make a quick, silent shift without the slightest bit
of effort. No time is lost in neutral; all that needs be done is to disengage
the clutch, slide the gear lever into position—and go.
When descending long, steep hills or mountain gradients in a
car fitted with a conventional type transmission, it is not possible
to shift into second without practically bringing the car to a standstill.
Even then, there is some clashing of the gears.
With the Cadillac Syncro-Mesh transmission, while descending
a grade in high gear, it is possible without slowing down the
car to engage second gear noiselessly, simply, easily, and without
damage to the gear set. This feature will be appreciated by everyone
when driving through rolling country, assuring as it does complete
control over the car on hills and the mental ease which such certainty
of control affords.
PttOPELLKR SHAFT
The propeller shaft transmits
the torque of the engine to the
rear axles and is subjected to
tremendous torsional stresses. It
has a tubular section, 2½ inches
in diameter, which section pro-
T/te compensated crankshaft is
balanced on these sjiecial machines
to completely eliminate all
vibration, thus providing exceptionally
smooth performance
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