Starting an A with just the spark advance ?

[Special Coupe Frank]

I have heard of and witnessed old-timers starting Model T's "on the buzzer", by switching the coils to "Battery" and manipulating the spark lever - if a cylinder has some fuel -air chagre in it, and is not too far past TDC, the spark will ignite the charge and fire the engine.

Last week, at Model A Day, I heard one of the club's old-timers speak of doing the same thing with a Model A: Switch "On", work the spark advance back and forth, and the engine "might" fire and start...

Has anyone else heard of doing this with an A, or does it only work with trembler-coil ignition ?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Yes, we discussed this a week or so ago here on F/B. Click HERE to read some comments. It is fun to try....

[Great Lakes Greg]

My Model T does it all the time. My coupe made an attempt once, but never did it again.

[dumb person]

Some people can do it. Looks like this old Benz in this video http://youtu.be/xMa3_tT5mKA is started that way because nobody can turn it by hand fast enough.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by dumb person

Some people can do it. Looks like this old Benz in this video http://youtu.be/xMa3_tT5mKA is started that way because nobody can turn it by hand fast enough.

The craftsmanship that went into that car is inspiring. I did cringe when the helper put his hand on the brass radiator though. I guess that is because I am a brass car owner.