The Ford Barn

Doug 845 · 02-25-2013, 09:00 AM

Has anyone ever tried to start their V8 by hand? I know it easier just to turn the key and let the battery do its magic. But I would like to try just once for fun & see how hard it is. My main concern would be not doing any damage to the grill.

David J · 02-25-2013, 09:49 AM

I never miss an opportunity to wind my 33 up by hand if there is an interested audience watching . I do the pull up on the handle method . If your front end stuff is all there and good and if all is assembled properly it doesn't really bother the grille . The triangular shaped pan takes the brunt of the abuse . DO NOT grab the handle with a firm - closed grip . Just pull up with your hand open . These start real easy and do not turn over hard . If you're worried about it wrap a piece of duct tape around the extension where it passes through the grille . Again these start really easy if all is in good order .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug 845

Has anyone ever tried to start their V8 by hand? I know it easier just to turn the key and let the battery do its magic. But I would like to try just once for fun & see how hard it is. My main concern would be not doing any damage to the grill.

ken ct · 02-25-2013, 09:53 AM

Yea ,have done it a few times on my 36,starts on the first pull.i give it a little more idle speed by the dash throttle rod. ken ct.

JM 35 Sedan · 02-25-2013, 01:58 PM

Be careful doing this. I have heard stories from my Dad and others about breaking arms/thumbs, possibly worse, during the Model T days. There was a procedure posted here or on the old Fordbarn on how to do this safely but I don't remember the details. I would also like to try this on my '35. You never know when you may leave something turned on that could take the battery down too low to start using the starter.

junk yard kid · 02-25-2013, 02:18 PM

It also helps to open the hood when your new at this. If the crank doesnt engage all the way it can slip out and then you may mess up your grill or like me on my model a, loose all the skin off your knuckles.

Ford coupe · 02-25-2013, 02:28 PM

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I have seen one or two lose some paint of the hood after kicking back and nearly breaking hands thums wrist ect ect.That was a few yrs ago..Would have more respect for the old girl now..CAREFUL

Bruce Lancaster · 02-25-2013, 03:32 PM

Be sure crank is properly aligned with all holes...bad mounts, assembly problems with sheetmetal, etc. can allow crank to damage grill where it passes through when you pull. If all is in its proper place, no problem. Sometimes they start at a very low chug-chug and you need to grab the throttle and goose it...so hood up!

G.M. · 02-25-2013, 03:40 PM

If it starts easy with the starter it will start better with a crank. Reason, the battery is not being pulled down by the starter and you get full battery voltage to the coil. This is also why when an engine won't start with a low battery it will start on a hiil or being pushed and the clutch left out to turn the engine. I always parked on a hill when I was a teen, still jump it if I have the oppertunity. G.M.

keith oh · 02-25-2013, 04:03 PM

If you use an incline or hill to start it, use high gear so the engine turns over easier. In low or even second the back wheels will sometimes slide, especially on gravel, due to the engine turning over much faster.

Henryat1140 · 02-25-2013, 04:14 PM

I've cranked a lot of Model T's in my day. Just want to clearly explain how you go about grasping the crank to avoid injury.

Make sure car is in neutral and brakes applied.

Switch on.

Insert crank into hole and turn it so it engages the ratchet nut at about 7:00 o'clock. What you are trying to achieve is a pull on the crank from about 7:00 o'clock to about 11:00 o'clock; a smooth steady pull upward.

Place your hand as though you were giving a 'thumbs up' signal to someone. The four fingers are wrapped around the crank handle, but the thumb is NOT, place your thumb on the opposite side of the crank from your fingers. This way if something happens and the crank flies upward unexpectedly your thumb will be out of the way.

Pull the crank smoothly upward past a compression stroke and if the engine is cooperative it will start, it will also eject the crank from the ratchet nut, so you carefully thread the crank back through the grille.

Hope I haven't left anything out. Improper cranking broke lots of arms and thumbs over the years.

(Yes we have started our '36 by cranking)

02-25-2013, 09:00 AM	#1
Doug 845 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fishkill, NY Posts: 178	Handcranking a '33 V8 Has anyone ever tried to start their V8 by hand? I know it easier just to turn the key and let the battery do its magic. But I would like to try just once for fun & see how hard it is. My main concern would be not doing any damage to the grill.

02-25-2013, 09:53 AM	#3
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 Yea ,have done it a few times on my 36,starts on the first pull.i give it a little more idle speed by the dash throttle rod. ken ct.

02-25-2013, 01:58 PM	#4
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 Be careful doing this. I have heard stories from my Dad and others about breaking arms/thumbs, possibly worse, during the Model T days. There was a procedure posted here or on the old Fordbarn on how to do this safely but I don't remember the details. I would also like to try this on my '35. You never know when you may leave something turned on that could take the battery down too low to start using the starter. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

02-25-2013, 02:18 PM	#5
junk yard kid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: san diego Posts: 114	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 It also helps to open the hood when your new at this. If the crank doesnt engage all the way it can slip out and then you may mess up your grill or like me on my model a, loose all the skin off your knuckles.

02-25-2013, 02:28 PM	#6
Ford coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napanee ontario Canada Posts: 395	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have seen one or two lose some paint of the hood after kicking back and nearly breaking hands thums wrist ect ect.That was a few yrs ago..Would have more respect for the old girl now..CAREFUL

02-25-2013, 03:32 PM	#7
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 Be sure crank is properly aligned with all holes...bad mounts, assembly problems with sheetmetal, etc. can allow crank to damage grill where it passes through when you pull. If all is in its proper place, no problem. Sometimes they start at a very low chug-chug and you need to grab the throttle and goose it...so hood up!

02-25-2013, 03:40 PM	#8
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 If it starts easy with the starter it will start better with a crank. Reason, the battery is not being pulled down by the starter and you get full battery voltage to the coil. This is also why when an engine won't start with a low battery it will start on a hiil or being pushed and the clutch left out to turn the engine. I always parked on a hill when I was a teen, still jump it if I have the oppertunity. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

02-25-2013, 04:03 PM	#9
keith oh Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Millersport, central ohio Posts: 668	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 If you use an incline or hill to start it, use high gear so the engine turns over easier. In low or even second the back wheels will sometimes slide, especially on gravel, due to the engine turning over much faster.

02-25-2013, 04:14 PM	#10
Henryat1140 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hereford, Maryland Posts: 218	Re: Handcranking a '33 V8 I've cranked a lot of Model T's in my day. Just want to clearly explain how you go about grasping the crank to avoid injury. Make sure car is in neutral and brakes applied. Switch on. Insert crank into hole and turn it so it engages the ratchet nut at about 7:00 o'clock. What you are trying to achieve is a pull on the crank from about 7:00 o'clock to about 11:00 o'clock; a smooth steady pull upward. Place your hand as though you were giving a 'thumbs up' signal to someone. The four fingers are wrapped around the crank handle, but the thumb is NOT, place your thumb on the opposite side of the crank from your fingers. This way if something happens and the crank flies upward unexpectedly your thumb will be out of the way. Pull the crank smoothly upward past a compression stroke and if the engine is cooperative it will start, it will also eject the crank from the ratchet nut, so you carefully thread the crank back through the grille. Hope I haven't left anything out. Improper cranking broke lots of arms and thumbs over the years. (Yes we have started our '36 by cranking)