Crank start
 

I had my car out today on a beautiful spring day in northern Ohio. I got home and thought about crank starting the car. I've driven it for 25 years and have never cranked it. The car was warm and so I dug the crank out from under the seat and gave it a try. Wow, a quarter turn and she was running. What great cars these model A Fords are !!
Marty

Re: Crank start
 

I was getting a breakfast bagel, a guy came out of the next store, asked if it was "one of them cars you have to crank--- I was just going to step on the starter switch--- I picked up the crank and offered it to him, he took a couple of steps back an held up his hands and refused--- I got out all the while talking to him, gave it a crank and went to get back in and he asked if I was going to start it--- I told him it was already running (idles slow and quiet)--- he couldn't believe it was so easy

Re: Crank start
 

Marty, it sounds like you are not too far from Berlin, oh. In July, our club, Oakleaf will be down there. We seem to go every two years. You should stop by and have dinner with us. Jack

Re: Crank start
 

Just make sure the timing is set to fire after top dead center and make sure the lever is up. While it can be done, I would not suggest trying with a B distributor that is set to fire before top dead center. While the starter can power past the timing set to BTDC, your arm maybe not so much.

Re: Crank start
 

I crank start my Model T all the time, but decided to try crank starting my Model A sedan a couple years ago. I was so startled when it started on the first crank I stood up and cut my nose on the headlight eyebrows. Needed stitches at the ER after feeling very proud of myself and bleeding all over the driveway...

Re: Crank start
 

I made a short video awhile ago, crank starting my Helen.

https://youtu.be/3nqxBT-VTQw?list=PL_J0eqBPY5k-XP34gpsGitGOfFxTS61UN

They are amazing cars.
I'm in Cincinnati Ohio :)

Re: Crank start
 

For several yrs. I had a 4 cyl.1911 EMF 30. I had no choice but to use a crank. It had a magneto & four 1-1/2 volt dry cell batts. which provided 6 volts for the ignition. Sometimes it could be frustrating trying to get it running & other times it would fire right up.

Re: Crank start
 

I was at an Elementary School yesterday morning and was showing the kids now to crank start my Cabriolet, something I had never done before. Nobody was more surprised then me when it started on the second pull. The teachers and kids were impressed!

Re: Crank start
 

I thought it was such a unique thing to do I modified my crank and leave it hanging adding character. It was fun for the first few years at gas stations and such, even saved me a couple times.

Then I added the High Comp. head... cranking over.

Re: Crank start
 

I can hand crank mine and it has a 5.9 BF high compression head . I get it up on compression stroke and just lift up on the crank and it cranks instantly. Its really not that hard to do .

Re: Crank start
 

I have the same setup - Brumfield 5.9. I recently hand cranked mine for the first time and it started right up. The car wasn't even warm from previously running. I have heard it can be difficult to hand crank, but the couple of times I did it, it started right up :). Made my day!

Re: Crank start
 

Thanks Purdy for the tip! I have a 6.0 head and have not even thought of trying to hand crank it.

Re: Crank start
 

As long as the timing is right on and the spark is fully retarded it shouldn't be a problem . When you lift up on the hand crank , the engine doesn't have to turn hardly a quarter of a turn and the engine starts right up. If the engine is cold you will most likely need to choke it once with the switch off . I made a choking device from a piece of 1/16 mild steel welding rod. I run the welding rod through the fins of the radiator at the level of the carburetor . I bend a hook on the rod and slip it through the hole at the bottom of the choke lever on the carb. I bend a loop on the facing end of the rod to pull by when I first pull up on the crank to choke the engine .The 1/16 welding rod is easy to bend and remove or it can be left in place , it is hardly noticeable .

Re: Crank start
 

If it won't start, and you get a blister.

Maybe try some "Start Ya Basted" sold in this country.

For:

"Petrol Engines:
Old or stale fuel
Low battery condition
Poor choke operation
Cold ambient temperature
Insufficient engine cranking speed, particularly on manual start engines such as motor mowers, small motorcycles etc.
Engine has been sitting idle for a long time
Frail people who are not strong enough to pull a start cord quickly enough
Initial start after repair work"

Re: Crank start
 

Jack,
Berlin, Ohio is near Millersburg and about 1 1/2 hour's drive from here. Your offer sounds interesting. When in July?
Marty

Re: Crank start
 

Marty, i sent you a PM. We will be there 7-16, 17,18, and head home on 19 th.

Re: Crank start
 

Purdy has a good point about choking. I turn my gas off while pulling in the garage and run the carb dry so it doesn't want to start without choking next time. Anybody else have tricks like Purdy to choke the engine before trying to hand crank it? How do you do it?

Glen

Re: Crank start
 

Re: Crank start
 

I don't know bro !!! I've never hand cranked a model T . Uncle Ray said that back in the day He would set uncle Bobs model T up on a block of wood and turn the back wheel by the wooden spoke to crank it

Re: Crank start
 

If my wife Deb is with me, I let her handle the choke and ignition . Deb doesn't like to do the hand crank. She says that it wouldn't look good and wouldn't be lady like . I'm pretty sure that back in the day that women would hand crank the model A in an emergency . Its really not a feat of strength . If the timing is correctly set and a person knows what they are doing it only takes a slight up lift of the hand crank .