1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

portion of gasoline and air getting to the cylinders. The correct
throttle opening for starting under these conditions is automatically
set when the choice button is operated. Opening the
hand throttle increases the proportion of air rather than of gasoline
and may make starting difficult rather than easy. For starting
a hot engine, however, when the choke is not used, it may be advisable
to open the hand throttle part way.
Carburetor Choke Control
The Cadillac carburetors are fitted with a choke control that is
partly automatic and partly hand operated. The automatic control
provides the correct mixture for warming up the engine, but
when starting a cold engine, the choke button must be used. The
button should be pulled out as far as is necessary to provide the
proper mixture while cranking the engine, but as soon as the
engine starts, the button should be pushed all the way in.
If the engine still retains heat from previous running, the choke
button should not be used without first attempting to start the
engine on the normal mixture. If the choke button is pulled out
for starting a hot engine the mixture may be made so rich that
starting will be impossible.
The choke button is not a priming device. It has no effect
whatever on the fuel or the fuel mixture unless the engine is being
cranked or is running under its own power. To have any effect,
it must be pulled out and kept partly out during the cranking
operation.
Starting the Engine
To start the engine, first make sure that the transmission is in
neutral and the hand throttle is in the fully closed position.
Then switch on the ignition by turning the key to the right, pull
out the choke button (unless the car is warm from previous
running), and press the starter button on the instrument panel.
1201
(See Figure 11). Only a moderate pressure is required to close
the electrical contact which first engages the starter gears by
means of a magnetic device and then turns on the current that
cranks the engine.
As soon as the engine starts, release the starter button and push
the choke button all the way in. While the engine is warming
up, do not open the throttle suddenly or too far, as this may result
in "popping back" in the carburetor. The engine should never
be raced to warm it up.
Racing the engine is not
only unnecessary, but
ineffective.
Starting Hints
In cold weather, disengage
the clutch to
get a quicker start and
to relieve the battery of
the strain of turning the
transmission gears.
If the engine does not
start readily, release the
starter button and look
for the cause.
Check the contents of
the gasoline tank.
Fig. 11. The position of the hand throttle and
the proper use of the choke control are of particular
importance in starting the car.
See that the throttle hand lever is in the correct starting
position and that the choke control has been used properly.
If the carburetor is flooded from unnecessary use of the choke
control or unnecessary priming with the accelerator pedal (see
page 31), move the hand throttle to the fully open position and
crank the engine with the starter for 10 to 15 seconds to get rid
of the surplus gasoline. Next, return the hand throttle to the
normal starting position and try again to start the engine.
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