06-09-2018, 10:31 AM | #21 |
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Re: Crank start
Love her to death, but my wife would walk a LONG way before hand cranking an A :-)
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06-09-2018, 10:32 AM | #22 | |
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Re: Crank start
Quote:
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06-09-2018, 10:44 AM | #23 |
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Location: Gold Country
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Re: Crank start
I think most would agree that crank starting the Model A really adds to its charm and nostalgia but when my starter gave out in Yellowstone a few years ago and I realized that I had not hand cranked the old girl over in years and faced the daunting prospect of hand cranking the car started for the next 1000 miles until I got home...well, fortunately, my broken Bendix was replaced by a spare found under the seat. It is probably good practice while the car is safely parked in the driveway at home for owners to "hone their skills" in crank starting once in a while.
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06-09-2018, 05:15 PM | #24 |
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Re: Crank start
I hand crank mine quite frequently, mostly for show. I usually turn around once she starts and find six or eight people with their phones out filming me.
I, too, have a piece of brazing rod poking out front to work the choke. On Pop's advice, I did NOT run it through the radiator fins. He said that if it rattled around there long enough it would surely wear through one of the tubes. Mine slips along side of the radiator shell. One last thing, I often have guys ask me to show them how it is done on their cars. I have one very important rule. I will NEVER hand crank a car if I didn't set up the timing myself. So, sorry buddy. I will show you on my car, or talk you through it on your car...but I will not hand start yours. Ken
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06-09-2018, 05:26 PM | #25 | |
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Re: Crank start
Quote:
Making sure that the engine fires just a tiny bit AFTER T D C is important and the reason why those in the know, set their timing with the lever a notch or two down from the top.
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06-09-2018, 06:36 PM | #26 |
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Re: Crank start
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06-10-2018, 06:58 AM | #27 | |
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Re: Crank start
Quote:
Bill Doneitmanytimes
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06-10-2018, 05:11 PM | #28 |
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Re: Crank start
Model T's were lighter than model A's . Uncle Ray would just pick up one side of the back end while uncle Roy placed a block of unsplit firewood under the rear axle . Ray felt that it was safer cranking the model T by the back wheel than using the hand crank .
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06-10-2018, 08:57 PM | #29 | |
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Re: Crank start
Quote:
That car had the creeps and he did not want to get run over! LOL I think it would be more un-safe to start the engine by turning the rear wheel esp as the car would be in high to do so and could really smack your hands good on the underside of the fenders when it fired off.
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06-10-2018, 09:27 PM | #30 |
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Re: Crank start
This happened way before my time . Uncle Ray never mentioned having a problem cranking the model T with the back wheel . I can't ask him now , he passed over thirty years ago . Ray did teach me how to hand crank my first model A , many years ago . I've never owned a model T .
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06-12-2018, 08:45 AM | #31 | |
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Re: Crank start
Quote:
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06-12-2018, 09:32 AM | #32 |
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Re: Crank start
I had a T before I bought my A. The electric starter had issues so I always hand cranked it. ALWAYS tuck your thumb UNDER so if it backfires the handle slips out of your hand rather than break your thumb. The buzz coils in the T make it possible to start without any cranking. When you shut off the car apply full choke, then when ready to start there is already gas in the engine so just turn on the ignition and move the spark lever until a coil buzzes, it'll usually start right up, no cranking. Supposedly the A can do that, I've tried it but never been successful.
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06-12-2018, 07:42 PM | #33 |
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Re: Crank start
Cranking an A is nothing! When I was in high school, growing up on a farm, Dad had a tractor imported from England with a Lucas starter. It burned out, and there was a hydraulic pump running off the front of the crankshaft. So Dad just carried a jack in the toolbox and we would jack up a back wheel, put the trans in high gear, put a clothespin on the choke and flip the back tire. As soon as it started, pull off the clothespin, reach in front of the spinning tire and pop the trans into neutral. In the winter (southern Minnesota) he put 10W oil in the trans so we could start it at 20 below. At 30 below we would build a fire under it first (corn cobs in a juice can filled with Diesel fuel). Went 2 years that way.
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06-13-2018, 09:27 AM | #34 |
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Re: Crank start
Anyone ever use the Hydrostart starter on a GM diesel?
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06-13-2018, 09:52 AM | #35 |
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Re: Crank start
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06-13-2018, 09:57 AM | #36 |
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Re: Crank start
Similar to Purdy but different on the choke.
I mainly use it for conversation points at shows. I ran a stiff wire from the bottom of the choke, straight out and underneath the radiator, very visible in the engine compartment, and it sticks out in front of the radiator about 4" with a pull ring. I cant tell you the reactions you get when you explain you crank with the right and choke with the left pull. |
06-13-2018, 10:40 PM | #37 |
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Re: Crank start
So, here's the Ace hand starter. Cold engine, brakes set and in neutral. Turn gas on, make sure that ignition is off. Pull choke out and fasten it out with a good strong clothes pin on the passenger side of the tank. Using crank turn engine over two revolutions. Now turn on key and engage the starter dog so you are pulling up with the choke lever back in and the spark still all the way up. Gas can be down a couple of notches but not necessary usually. With open palm, pull the handle of the crank up. It probably will startle you to find your engine is running. If engine is warm, don't use the choke, just do everything else and it will probably fire with that 1/4 turn. Always pull up with open hand, never push down on crank with key on.
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