Crank Starting

[the cooch]

I always crank my T and hand cranked my A a bunch, then one day it spun the crank backwards!?! Luckily I always crank left handed from 9 pm to 12 so just it shoved my hand out of the way. Knowing I had the timing correct I backed up and stared for a minute… Then I realized the steering column mast jacket had loosened up and rotated on the box just enough to shove the “all the way up” timing lever to an advanced position, before t.d.c.! So, with correctly set timing the engine can backfire, if the controls levers are in the wrong place! Keep that mast jacket bolt on your checklist! -Chris, in Boulder

[700rpm]

I had a starting problem in the parking lot of a tavern about five years ago. Three women in their 20’s came through the lot heading in for a beer. I asked them if they could give my ‘29 coupe a short push, and assured them that would start the car. They were excited to help this old man (75) with his old car, and after about 4 feet, the coupe fired up. They were laughing and amazed at what they had done. They actually thanked me for letting them push "that old car". I went in and bought their first round. It was a great Model A moment for everyone.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Did the girls ask if you had bought your car new??? Ha, ha, ha!

It always drives me crazy when some kid from the Peanut Gallery asks me if I bought my '28 Phaeton new. I tell him, no - my son bought it new. The kid just stares at me. That he almost believes that makes me worry a little bit about the younger folks and their concept of time and history.
Marshall

[Bruce of MN]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

I had a starting problem in the parking lot of a tavern about five years ago. Three women in their 20’s came through the lot heading in for a beer. I asked them if they could give my ‘29 coupe a short push, and assured them that would start the car. They were excited to help this old man (75) with his old car, and after about 4 feet, the coupe fired up. They were laughing and amazed at what they had done. They actually thanked me for letting them push "that old car". I went in and bought their first round. It was a great Model A moment for everyone.

Sounds like they should have bought you a beer for giving them that wonderful opportunity!

[Kurt in NJ]

I was at a store getting bagels driving the A,I came out and was setup to hit the starter button when a man sitting in front of the cigar store came over— Is that one of those cars you have to crank start— I reached down and held up the crank and asked if he wanted to do it —- he then jumped back and said Oh No — as I was talking to him I got out and put the crank in gave it a pull it started,pulled the crank out and started back to the door when he asked me about starting it — I told him it was already running. I didn’t even see you do it and I can even hear it run!!
I have learned to not give hand cranking demonstration on hot heat soak conditions though.

[old31]

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700, what a great way to meet women in their 20s.

Just pretend your car does not start, ask them to push, and buy them a drink. It's just brilliant!

Marshall, I would hate to say how many times I have been asked at a show "did I buy that new". Really, do I look that bad?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Gene F

So winter fuels are typically more potent, and the summer blends cheaper because they have oxygen agents in them?????

Winter blends has a higher RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) than summer blends, which basically means they add more butanes to the gas. This is to prevent the gas, with a lower boiling point, from boiling in your fuel system, causing vapor lock, in the summer.

It is also cheaper for the refiners to make winter gas by adding cheaper, lighter ends. That is why, generally, gas prices drop in the winter.