Crank Starting

Mike1291

Mike1291

Senior Member
This past weekend I tried crank sarting it (in 40 degree weather) for fun but couldn't get it to fire, even when priming the engine with the key off. A few revolutions of the starter did the trick but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with hand cranking in cold weather?

Also, a side question, I know I timed my car to be 4 degrees advanced when fully retarded but wasn't sure if there was a chance that the timing might drift after you set it? Worried about injuring myself whenever I do it.
 
From my Model T years, be sure to keep your thumb on the same side of the hand crank as your fingers are on to protect it in case of a "kickback". OUCH! And always pull UP with the hand crank, never push down. DOUBLE OUCH!!! For some reason, Model T's are easier to start by hand cranking than Model A's, even though the cylinder head compression ratios are close to each other. And there's a whole lot more weight on the end of a Model T crankshaft - the magneto - which in theory should make it harder to crank a Model T engine than a Model A. But it doesn't. 'Never had much luck hand cranking a Model A unless the engine was already warm.
Marshall
 
Mike1291 said:
Also, a side question, I know I timed my car to be 4 degrees advanced when fully retarded but wasn't sure if there was a chance that the timing might drift after you set it? Worried about injuring myself whenever I do it.
Click to expand...

To answer your side question, yes the timing can change over time as the point rubbing block wears. But it will retard the timing so it shouldn't "injure" you too bad. :p
 
ronn said:
I like to pull start.........
Click to expand...

One day after high school my A wouldn’t start, got 3 guys to push it, it was running in 2 feet ! They thought they were going to push it for blocks lol . I was pushing it by myself alot until I solved the problem.
 
In cold weather you will need a lot more choking than in warm weather. This is especially true if you have summer gasoline in your tank that does not have the volatile components that winter gasoline does. Next time squirt a little starter fluid in the carburetor before cranking.
 
...and open the GAV up another 1/4 to 1/2 turn counter-clockwise to enrichen the fuel mixture. When the engine starts loping as it warms up, turn the GAV clockwise back to its usual driving position. The enriched fuel mixture is only for starting in cold weather, whether by hand crank or starter.
Marshall
 
Thanks for the tips! I appreciate all the suggestions. I might consider adding a little wire like Paul did in the video if I do this more often. I've seen Model Ts that have this but not an A.
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
From my Model T years, be sure to keep your thumb on the same side of the hand crank as your fingers are on to protect it in case of a "kickback". OUCH! And always pull UP with the hand crank, never push down. DOUBLE OUCH!!! For some reason, Model T's are easier to start by hand cranking than Model A's, even though the cylinder head compression ratios are close to each other. And there's a whole lot more weight on the end of a Model T crankshaft - the magneto - which in theory should make it harder to crank a Model T engine than a Model A. But it doesn't. 'Never had much luck hand cranking a Model A unless the engine was already warm. Marshall
Click to expand...

I remember those earlier days trying to hand crank off a Model A. Placement of the thumb was very important!!

I have hand cranked other engines, too. As a float plane pilot, one late afternoon up north after fishing off the floats all day... i went to start up the sea C-172... and 'nothing encouraging'. I know you all have heard the sound of the 'almost could!' battery... out on the lake and stuck!! so i called home to FBO. reviewed hand cranking prop off! set it up and pulled! just not enuff 'emph' in me. then... out of the blue up comes a skiff... and a burley guy offers to help prop it off. I set it up, we pulled and on 2nd pull thru... we had a spinning prop! :p I will never forget the feeling of the moment...

Do I believe in my Guaridian Angel? "you bet!!" ;) Faced with a long, cold night sleep in a cramped C-172 cockpit, I believe in 'miracles', too! Scary flight home, we were on floats and in the dark... and as most know... the dark can be very unforgiving ~

we managed well, tied her up and it sure felt good to get off that bird!
 
I hand crank NOTHING.In my early 20's I worked for a tractor dealer,and being the young guy they always made me do the hand cranking.The other guys in the shop were all old,(40's)and they had paid their dues.I now have a knot in my right forearm,doesn't really bother,but now and then it bulges outward.A farmer here had a J-3,and any of us interested in flying could go play with him.Of course,if there's a kid around he ain't gonna flip that prop himself.I was used to it,and one day I grabbed the prop to flip it through,And it tried to pick me up and yank itself out of my hands.Turns out he had replaced his 65 HP engine with a newer 85,and I just had to relearn how it was done.I was used to the minimal resistance of the worn out 65.I don't mind props,and spinning flywheels,but I won't touch another crank.
 
If an A is running properly they will start easily with the crank. I pull the choke and crank over compression a few times, then release the choke, turn on the ignition, and usually it starts first pull over compression. Every A owner should practice. Non A'ers love to watch and it also may save you if you drain the battery someday.
 
I successfully hand cranked in the mid 20 degrees (F). Choke it with the key off for a couple yanks and and have the throttle open a few clicks so that when it starts, it will be at a fast idle. Spark advance fully retarded. Have the GAV opened a bit more than you would normally have. Turn the key on and go for it. As others have said, don't grab with your thumb all the way around.
 
It was 16° outside around here yesterday morning when I hand cranked one of my Model-Ts which has a 6:1 compression head. It had been sitting inside of a trailer for several weeks now, and it was time to decorate it for an upcoming parade. My biggest issue was keeping it running for more than a few seconds at first due to manifold icing. I didn't get 'cute' by trying to heat the manifolds, or block heat under the engine. I was just kept restarting the engine and after a few tries it ran a few seconds longer each time until it maintained.

One thing that is worth noting about this hand cranking process. Since I was a little kid, I have been hand cranking my Dad's cars, ...and what I finally learned about 10 years ago is there is a general misunderstanding about hand cranking. It is not about aggressively pulling or quickly jerking upward on the crank handle. A slow, steady motion pulling the crank past center is all that is needed. (This is why women drivers back in the teens & twenties could hand crank engines in all types of weather) If the engine is properly tuned, and if the spark timing is set correctly, as soon as the piston is just past TDC and the spark plug ignites, then the force of the lit compressed mixture with move the piston downward where the next cylinder will take off. Again, just a slow and steady pull should be all that is needed to start one by hand.
 
Big hammer said:
One day after high school my A wouldn’t start, got 3 guys to push it, it was running in 2 feet ! They thought they were going to push it for blocks lol . I was pushing it by myself alot until I solved the problem.
Click to expand...

Those were the days!

I would park mine on a hill by school. Got in, released brake, and off I went. It would start within a couple of feet.

Every teenage boy should start driving on a Model A.

😊
 
Keith True said:
I hand crank NOTHING.In my early 20's I worked for a tractor dealer,and being the young guy they always made me do the hand cranking.The other guys in the shop were all old,(40's)and they had paid their dues.I now have a knot in my right forearm,doesn't really bother,but now and then it bulges outward.A farmer here had a J-3,and any of us interested in flying could go play with him.Of course,if there's a kid around he ain't gonna flip that prop himself.I was used to it,and one day I grabbed the prop to flip it through,And it tried to pick me up and yank itself out of my hands.Turns out he had replaced his 65 HP engine with a newer 85,and I just had to relearn how it was done.I was used to the minimal resistance of the worn out 65.I don't mind props,and spinning flywheels,but I won't touch another crank.
Click to expand...

32.png


I wish there was a button so as to click a "Like" on some of these FB posts... :)
 
nkaminar said:
In cold weather you will need a lot more choking than in warm weather. This is especially true if you have summer gasoline in your tank that does not have the volatile components that winter gasoline does. Next time squirt a little starter fluid in the carburetor before cranking.
Click to expand...

So winter fuels are typically more potent, and the summer blends cheaper because they have oxygen agents in them?????
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top