1917 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

30 OPERATION AND GENERAL CARE
OPERATION AND GENERAL CARE 31
TIRES
During winter storage it is best to remove the tires from the rims and
keep the casings and tires in a fairly warm atmosphere away from the light.
It is best to slightly inflate the tubes after the tires have been removed to
keep the tires in the position in which they are when inflated on the rim.
If the tires are not removed from the car, and the car is stored in a light
place, it is best to cover the tires to protect them from strong light, which
has a deteriorating effect on rubber.
The greatest injury that can be done to tires when the car is stored for
the winter is to allow the weight of the car to rest on them. If the tires are
not removed the car should be blocked up so that no weight is borne by the
tires and the tires partly deflated.
STORAGE BATTERY
Just before the last time the car is used, distilled water should be added
to the cells, if necessary, so that it will thoroughly mix with the acid when
the car is driven. When the car is stored away the specific gravity of the
acid should register from 1.270 to 1.290. (See under "Hydrometer Syringe,"
page 72.) With this condition there is no danger of freezing in any climate.
When the car is stored for the winter be sure that the battery is in a
fully charged condition, otherwise it is probable that the acid in the battery
will freeze and cause extensive damage.
The storage battery should be charged every two months during the
"out-of-service" period, either by running the engine or from an outside
source. If the battery is charged by running the engine, repeat the operations
outlined on page 29 under "Engine." (Also see under "Personal Danger
of Running Engine in Closed Garage," page 49.) Instructions for charging
the battery from an outside source will be found on page 72,
If it is impossible to charge the battery by either of these means, it may
be allowed to stand without charging during the winter, providing the specific
gravity of the acid registers from 1.270 to 1.290 when the car is placed in
storage. Much better results and longer life from the battery, however, will
be obtained by giving the periodic charges.
One of the wires to the storage battery should be disconnected as a slight
leak in any of the wires will discharge the battery.
COVER TOP AND CAR
It is best to put the top up and cover the entire car to protect it from dust.
PREPARING ENGINE FOR STARTING WHEN CAR IS
TO BE TAKEN OUT OF STORAGE
Remove the spark plugs and with the oil gun inject one or two tablespoonfuls
of clean, fresh engine oil into each cylinder.
Replace the spark plugs. Turn the engine over a few revolutions either
with the starter or with the hand crank with ignition switched off. This will
tend to distribute the oil over the cylinder walls.
Turn on the gasoline at the tank and start the engine in the usual manner.
Immediately the engine starts, inject one or two tablespoonfuls of clean,
fresh engine oil into the carburetor through the primary air inlet.
GASOLINE SYSTEM
The supply of gasoline is carried in a tank at the rear of the car and is
forced to the carburetor by an air pressure of from one to two pounds. A
valve is provided by which the gasoline may be shut off at the tank. (See
Fig. 16.) The handle of the valve is just at the left of the gasoline gauge. A
float controlled needle valve in the carburetor maintains the gasoline at the
proper level in the carburetor bowl.
The pressure is indicated by a gauge on the instrument board. A hand
pump on the instrument board is provided by which pressure for starting may
be obtained when the car has been standing long enough to make this necessary.
When the engine is running the pressure is automatically maintained
by a pump on the engine driven by an eccentric on the front end of the cam
shaft.
Fig. 16. Gasoline System.
The pipe extending almost to the bottom of the gasoline tank is a continuation
of the gasoline line. The air line simply enters the gasoline tank at
the top and does not extend into the gasoline.
The center section of the floor under the rear cushion on the seven passenger
and the phaeton are removable to provide access to the connections
at the top of the gasoline tank, as well as to the packing gland at the shutoff
valve.
TO FILL THE GASOLINE TANK
The gasoline tank is at the rear of the car. The filler cap may be removed
after loosening the thumb screw on the top of the cap.
Gasoline should be strained through a wire cloth of very fine mesh before
it is poured into the tank. If dirt or water is allowed to enter the gasoline
system it may cause great annoyance by getting under the carburetor inlet
needle and causing the carburetor to flood.
After filling the tank, screw on the filler cap and carefully tighten the
thumb screw. This is necessary to prevent leakage of the pressure by which the
gasoline is forced to the carburetor.