1917 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

4 LUBRICATION
CLUTCH THRUST BALL RACE
18
The clutch thrust ball race is accessible after the plate shown at 18 is removed.
Remove the screw plug in the ball race and inject Cadillac Rear Axle and Transmission
Lubricant every 1,000 miles.
OIL HOLES IN SPRING PERCHES
21,22
These are oil tubes to the spring perches. Remove the caps, and inject Cadillac
Rear Axle and Transmission Lubricant every 1,000 miles.
REAR ENGINE SUPPORTS
26,27
There is a slight movement between the side bars of the frame and the rear engine
supports when the car is traveling over rough roads. It is necessary, therefore, to
apply lubricant at these points.
There is an oil hole in each engine support where it is bolted to the side bar of the
frame. Engine oil should be applied at these points every 1,000 miles or oftener if
found necessary.
CLEAN LUBRICATING SYSTEM
At the end of the first 1,000 miles of travel and at the end of every 4,000 miles of
travel thereafter, drain the oil pan and clean the lubricating system with kerosene.
Then remove the oil pan and clean the strainer. Replace the oil pan and refill it to
the proper height with clean, fresh engine oil. (See under Engine Lubrication.)
WATER IN STORAGE BATTERY
Every 1,000 miles or oftener inspect the level of the acid in the storage battery,
and add distilled water if the level is low. (See under Storage Battery.)
EVERY 2000 MILES
TRANSMISSION
2
The transmission case should always contain sufficient lubricant to bring it up to
the level of the drain plug in the side of the case. It should be inspected every 2,000
miles and lubricant added if necessary. Cadillac Rear Axle and Transmission Lubricant
is best for this purpose. In its absence we recommend a mixture of steam cylinder
oil and a small amount of cup grease mixed to such a consistency that it will flow easily.
REAR AXLE
The rear axle should contain enough lubricant to bring it up to the level of the
filling hole. It should be inspected every 2,000 miles and lubricant added if necessary.
The best lubricant for this purpose is Cadillac Rear Axle and Transmission Lubricant.
In its absence we recommend a mixture of steam cylinder oil and a small amount of
cup grease, mixed to such a consistency that the mixture flows easily.
TIMER AND DISTRIBUTOR
13
Every 2,000 miles of travel remove the small breather by unscrewing it and pack
cup grease around the gears by which the timer and distributor are driven.
LUBRICATION 5
LUBRICATION OF VALVE STEMS
28,29
The valve stems are lubricated by oil vapor conducted to the valve compartments
through ports from the crank case. It is good practice to supply additional lubrication
every 2,000 miles in the following manner:
Loosen the cap screws which hold the cover plates that enclose the forward portion
of each valve compartment, lift the front ends of the cover plates, and spray oil into
the compartments under the plates.
A good way to do this is to place a few teaspoonfuls of engine oil in the oil gun
furnished with the tool kit, place the nozzle of the gun under the front ends of the
cover plates, and work the handle of he gun back and forth a number of times, discharging
air with oil into the compartments.
It is well to run the engine a few minutes immediately after following the above
instructions, and then to repeat the operation.
In addition to the above it is well to thoroughly lubricate the valve stems and cam
slides at any time the cover plates are removed for any other purpose.
STEERING GEAR
19,20
The internal mechanism of the steering gear should be lubricated about every
2,000 miles. This can be done by removing the screw plugs, one in the side and the
other in the rear of the steering gear housing. Cadillac Rear Axle and Transmission
Lubricant mixed with flake graphite is a good lubricant for this part.
EVERY 4000 MILES
CLEAN LUBRICATING SYSTEM
At the end of the first 1,000 miles of travel, and at the end of every 4,000 miles
of travel thereafter, drain the oil pan and clean the lubricating system with kerosene.
Then remove the oil pan and clean the strainer. Replace the oil pan and refill to the
proper height with clean, fresh engine oil. (See under Engine Lubrication.)
WHEELS
4, 5, 6, 7
Every 4,000 miles all the wheels should be removed, the bearings thoroughly washed
and cleaned in either gasoline or kerosene and the bearings examined to determine
whether any foreign substances have gotten into them that might damage them. The
bearings should be thoroughly lubricated with a thin grease (do not use heavy grease
because it will roll away from the path of the rolls and will not return). Then the
wheels should be replaced and adjusted as per instructions on the subject.
There is an oil cup in the hub of each rear wheel. Inject some engine oil here
whenever you are oiling the car. Wipe the dirt from the cups first, so that it will
not get into the bearings.