handcrank guide /spring clamp aligment with engine ?

[Special Coupe Frank]

Picked-up an original handcrank, as well as a repro this past weekend.

When I tried either one, they slipped badly in the ratchet-jaw ( jaw is slightly worn, but not "chewed to hell" )

Upon closer inspection, it appears that the crank guide (held to the frame by the front spring u-bolts) is shifted towards the driver's side of the car, and, the crank pulley seems to be sitting "low" relative to a center-line through the crank guide.

The result is the hand crank seems to "point up and to the left".

Can the crank guide be centered simply by loosening the spring u-bolts, and tapping the guide in the appropriate direction, or is there a centering dowel ?

The crank pulley sitting low - issue with the front motor mount ? ( Original type yoke & springs set-up )

Thanks...

SC Frank

( PS: had plenty of hand-crank experience in my youth, growing-up with N-model Fords and starter-less Farmalls. )

 

[Patrick L.]

It seems like this is a fairly common problem.. The jaw gets all worn out and beat up.. The guide should have two alignment pins/knubs that set into holes in the frame,but, anything can happen to them over the years.. It also sounds like your engine is setting kinda low, probably because of the mounting..