Homemade Ratchet Socket

shew01

shew01

Well-known member
Today, I was reading the “Model A Engine Timing Tools” article in the July 2022 edition Model A News, page 14. It’s an interesting idea.

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If I drilled an old 1/2” socket to accept a metal pin (to act like the end of the hand crank), what could I use for the metal pin?


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shew01 said:
If I drilled an old 1/2” socket to accept a metal pin (to act like the end of the hand crank), what could I use for the metal pin?
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You likely are going to have another problem in that drilling a socket that is likely made of tool steel of some grade is going to be as hard as Chinese Arithmetic! :D An original hand crank works very, very well at doing the task. There is not a need IMHO for fabricating a special socket for this task.
 
Save yourself some grief and buy the ratchet wrench made for turning the crank nut, especially if you have a front mounted tool box. The special wrench makes turning the crank a real breeze!

P. S. Don't forget to remove the wrench from the nut when your done!! Unlike the original hand crank, the ratchet on the crank it will not kick it out of the way. Ask me how I know...
 
mcgarrett said:
Save yourself some grief and buy the ratchet wrench made for turning the crank nut, especially if you have a front mounted tool box. The special wrench makes turning the crank a real breeze!

P. S. Don't forget to remove the wrench from the nut when your done!! Unlike the original hand crank, the ratchet on the crank it will not kick it out of the way. Ask me how I know...
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I have that wrench too, it works great. I painted mine bright red to make sure I see and remove it!
 
Or track one of these down. They're made to use the crank in either direction.
 

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fivefix said:
...unless one has sinned as I have and installed a toolbox that blocks the crank opening.
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Even that box is not an issue. Just place the transmission into 3rd gear and then use the wheel/tire as leverage to rotate the engine by just rolling the tire forward or reverse.
 
If you're goneter use a ratchet, why not just get a socket that fits the ratchet nut?
 
I just installed the front mounted tool box. There is no room to put a socket with a pin added. My plan was to drill a hole in the back of the box to be able to use the crank. That way I can use it to start the car if needed. Rubber plugs are available from McMaster Carr.

Rolling the car to turn the engine is not a bad idea. When the engine is near TDC the engine can be turned over with the fan unless there is something very tight in the engine. Just press in on the fan belt. Warning, the old original fans may be damaged by using it to turn over the engine but they should be replaced anyway.
 
mcgarrett said:
Save yourself some grief and buy the ratchet wrench made for turning the crank nut, especially if you have a front mounted tool box. The special wrench makes turning the crank a real breeze!

P. S. Don't forget to remove the wrench from the nut when your done!! Unlike the original hand crank, the ratchet on the crank it will not kick it out of the way. Ask me how I know...
Click to expand...


I bought the (expensive) ratchet from Snyder’s or Bratton’s, and it doesn’t come anywhere close to fitting my car.


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katy said:
If you're goneter use a ratchet, why not just get a socket that fits the ratchet nut?
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That sounds like a good idea. With the radiator on the car I can see how that area of the car is made. What size is the not?


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nkaminar said:
I just installed the front mounted tool box. There is no room to put a socket with a pin added. My plan was to drill a hole in the back of the box to be able to use the crank. That way I can use it to start the car if needed. Rubber plugs are available from McMaster Carr.

Rolling the car to turn the engine is not a bad idea. When the engine is near TDC the engine can be turned over with the fan unless there is something very tight in the engine. Just press in on the fan belt. Warning, the old original fans may be damaged by using it to turn over the engine but they should be replaced anyway.
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Hmmm… I thought I had seen warnings on this forum about never using the fan to rotate the engine. Am I mistaken?


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shew01 said:
That’s the one I bought, but doesn’t fit. Go figure.


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What part or where does it not fit? I have one too. It works great, but is a tight fit to get it in place. Maybe yours just needs a little grinding for clearance somewhere.
 

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