1928 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

60 CADILLAC OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Do not under any circumstances attempt to lubricate the speedometer
itself. Any parts in the speedometer requiring lubrication are amply supplied
when it is assembled.
Springs
The springs are encased in spring covers which retain the lubricant and
exclude water. The only attention they require is repacking once a season
with petroleum jelly.
Flushing Cooling System; 6
The cooling system should be drained and flushed every 4000 miles. If
possible this should be done at a Cadillac service station or where facilities
are available for reversing the flow of water through the radiator. If this
cannot be done, the method described on page 79 should be followed.
Door Hardware
Whenever the chassis is being lubricated, the door locks and other door
hardware should also be lubricated as follows:
Place a few drops of oil on each door lock plunger or striker, turning the
handle back and forth so that the oil will work into the lock. Also place a
drop of oil on each of the striker plates against which the strikers engage
when the doors are closed. The hinge pins should also be oiled sparingly
so as not to get oil on the finish.
Each door has a wedge-shaped tongue that dovetails into a receptacle on
the body when the door is closed. These tongues should receive a small
amount of grease or oil.
Each closed car door is also fitted with a check at the top which limits the
outward movement of the door. A small amount of grease should be applied
to the pin that slides in the slot at the top of the door.
Storage Battery; 16
Distilled water should lie added to the cells of the storage battery at least
every 1000 miles. (See page 84).
Shock Absorbers
The Delco-Remy-Lovejoy shock absorbers with which Cadillac cars are
equipped should have oil added every 12,000 miles. If the oil in the shock
absorbers is not up to the proper level, the normal spring action will not be
obtained. The shock absorbers require a special oil which can be obtained
from Cadillac distributors or dealers or United Motors Service Branches and
authorized distributors.
Care of Finish when New
CHAPTER IV
Care of Body
ON CARS finished with varnish, more careful and more frequent attention is
necessary when the car is new than after the varnish has hardened. Particular
care should be taken to keep mud from the body and hood for the first few
weeks. Even after the varnish has hardened, mud must not be permitted to
remain on the finish over night or long enough to dry.
The same degree of caution, although commendable, is not as necessary
on cars finished with Duco, because Duco hardens much more quickly than
paint or varnish.
Washing Varnished Cars
Use clean water and plenty of it. Do not use water containing alkali.
In parts of the country where the regular water supply contains alkali, use
rain water.
Do not use hot water as it destroys the luster. The temperature of the
water should be between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not wash the
hood while it is hot, because the effect on the finish is the same as washing
it with hot water. Unless the hood is allowed to cool before washing, the
luster will soon disappear.
Wash the chassis first, going over the under sides of the fenders, the wheels,
and the running gear with water flowing gently from the hose. This will
flush off most of the mud and dirt.
After washing the chassis, begin at the front of the car and flow water
from the hose upon the body, hood and upper surfaces of the fenders. This
will soften the accumulation of road dirt, removing most of it. Then go
over the car again and remove all dirt by rubbing with a soft wool sponge,
at the same time applying an abundance of water from the hose. The sponge,
which should be kept exclusively for the body, hood and upper surfaces of
the fenders, should be rinsed frequently in clean water to remove any grit.
After the washing is completed, squeeze the sponge as dry as possible
and pick up all water from crevices. Then thoroughly wet a clean, soft
chamois, wring it as dry as possible, and dry the finish. Be sure and use a
chamois that has not been used on the chassis. Rinse the chamois and
wring it out frequently. Do not rub the finish or apply more pressure than
is necessary to dry off the surplus water. The remaining water will evaporate
quickly, leaving the finish in good condition.
(61)