1919 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

STARTING THE ENGINE
OPERATION
1. First make certain that the transmission control lever is in the neutral
position and that the hand brake is applied (see Figure 1.)
2. If the gasoline pressure gauge on the instrument board indicates a pressure
of less than one pound, increase the pressure by means of the hand air pump. The
handle of the pump is screwed into place. Loosen it by unscrewing it a few turns
in the counter-clockwise direction. After the pressure lias been brought up to at
least one pound, lock the plunger in place by holding it in and turning it in the
clockwise direction.
3. Place the spark lever in the "Driving Range" of the sector, except in cold
winter weather, when it should be at the extreme right of the sector. If the engine
should be cranked by hand, always place the spark lever at the extreme left of the
sector. If this caution is not observed, a back kick will occur, resulting in personal
injury.
4. In extremely cold winter weather, prime the carbureter by placing the
throttle lever at the extreme left of the sector, then pushing the accelerator button
down to the floor and permitting it to return. Twice repeat this operation. I'o not
prime the carburetor except in extremely cold winter weather.
5. Place the throttle lever approximately two inches from the extreme left of
the sector.
6. In cold weather, or in warm weather if the engine has been standing for
some time, pull back the auxiliary air-valve lever.
7. Switch on ignition by moving the ignition switch lever down.
8. Push down on the starter button. This will bring the starter into operation
and will cause the engine to "turn over." (See under "Caution.") In extremely
cold weather, when the car has been standing long enough to have become thoroughly
chilled, it is a good plan to release the clutch before pressing down on the
starter button, and to hold the clutch down during the cranking operation.
9. Immediately the engine commences to run under its own power, which
should be in a few seconds.'permit the starter button to return to the normal
position. If the auxiliary air valve lever was pulled back before starting the
engine, push it as far forward as possible without causing the engine to stop, or a
material reduction in engine speed, as soon as the engine commences to run under
its own power, and as far forward at it uoes as soon as the engine is warm enough
to permit it. It is important that the lever he left back no Ion ier lluin is u/\«,>-'
litlely necessary.
If the engine does not start within thirty seconds, do not continue to operate
the starter, but permit the starter pedal to return to the normal position and determine
the cause for the failure of the engine to start readily. Be certain that the
ignition is turned on, that there is gasoline in the tank, ajid sufficient pressure to
force it to the carburetor. Bear in mind that the starter will crank the engine
only, that ignition and gasoline must be present before it will run.
ution
Caution:—The action which causes the engine to "turn over" is produced by a
gear of the electric motor sliding into mesh with the teeth of the fly wheel. When
pushing down on the starter button to throw these gears into mesh, if it should so
happen that they are in just such positions that the ends of the teeth of the starter
OPERATION
gear come against the ends of the teeth of the fly wheel, instead of the teeth of one
sliding between the teeth of the other, do not force them. Simply permit the
starter button to return to the normal position and then pusii it down again. In
the meantime, the gears ivill probably have changed their relative positions sufficiently
to allow the teeth to mesh.
OH Pressure
Starting
Lubricating oil is fed under pressure to the main and connecting rod bearings
of the engine (see under "Engine Lubrication," page 28). The pressure of the oil
is indicated by. the oil pressure gauge on the instrument board. (See Fig. 1.)
When the engine is not running, the hand of the oil pressure gauge should
remain at zero, but immediately the engine starts and while the engine is in operation,
pressure should be indicated. The pressure indicated depends upon the speed
of the engine and' the viscosity of the lubricating oil.
If at any time while the engine is in operation, the hand of the oil pressure
gauge remains at zero, stop the engine at once and determine the cause. Serious
engine trouble is the result of continuing to run the engine without oil pressure.
GEAR SHIFTING
The transmission is of the selective type. The operator
may shift from any gear to any other gear without shifting
through a third gear.
Caution:—Do not attempt to shift from neutral to any
gear, or from one gear to any other gear without first disengaging
the main engine clutch by pushing down on the clutch
pedal