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Old 05-02-2026, 09:42 AM   #1
Youngblood
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Default Modified Engine Crank

Hi; I have a tool trunk on the front of my 1930 model A. It covers the Engine Crank access. It seemed to me that I saw at one point an Engine Crank for timing that worked inside the engine compartment. It was an L shaped engine crank. Does anyone have any information on it or where they might sell them?

Mike
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Old 05-02-2026, 09:51 AM   #2
Bob C
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

Maybe this. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...8754&cat=41753
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Old 05-02-2026, 10:03 AM   #3
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

Here is a tip for the crankshaft ratchet nut wrench.
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Old 05-02-2026, 10:15 AM   #4
Youngblood
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

Thanks Guys!
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Old 05-02-2026, 10:57 AM   #5
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

Suggest you check the size of the ratchet nut before purchasing or fabricating one of the offset wrenches. Standard (stock) size is 1&3/8", but it's possible the nut has been replaced w/a different size, some variations are 1&5/16" and 1&1/4".
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Old 05-02-2026, 12:32 PM   #6
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob C View Post
I have one of these and I was scraping my knuckles on the radiator fins. A little work with the torch and vise and I put a couple of back bends at the end of the handle to move the grip aft.
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Old 05-02-2026, 12:52 PM   #7
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

You can cut a hole in the back of the tool box and use the standard hand crank. You cannot do a complete 360, but you can do 90 degrees and then reset the crank.
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Old 05-02-2026, 07:21 PM   #8
grumpy dude
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

Paul Shinn has a vid out where you buy a cheap harbor freight wrench and modify it to work. He has all the dimensions of where to make the bends. I used this and it worked out perfect!
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Old 05-02-2026, 10:09 PM   #9
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
You can cut a hole in the back of the tool box and use the standard hand crank. You cannot do a complete 360, but you can do 90 degrees and then reset the crank.
You could cut two holes in the box front and rear , cut the hand crank into, weld a extension making the crank extra long, and hand start the motor ! you might need to manufacture some sort of a bearing for the front tool box hole though. Then wear would you store the extra long crank and then how to seal the holes in the box . With the box ended tool I find it hard to get less than a 1/4 turn and having to jam the wrench in to the fan belt to be able get the wrench off and another bite on the nut , along with an aching back ! Thankfully I use the setting the timing and forget about it Tom Wesenberg’s method timing ! Miss Tom a lot !
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Old 05-03-2026, 04:14 AM   #10
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

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Tom Wesenberg’s method timing !

Please repost this.
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Old 05-03-2026, 02:24 PM   #11
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

No need to weld a longer crank —V8 ones have a extension
I have found putting the trans in 3 rd gear and moving the car with the front wheel while pushing the timing pin works perfectly fine when checking timing
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Old 05-04-2026, 01:58 PM   #12
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Default Re: Modified Engine Crank

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No need to weld a longer crank —V8 ones have a extension
I have found putting the trans in 3 rd gear and moving the car with the front wheel while pushing the timing pin works perfectly fine when checking timing
That’s what I do.
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