Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Evening all,

Other than using one to set ignition timing recently, it's been a while since I last used a starting handle in anger. In fact I can't remember the last time I started an engine with one, perhaps the E83W many years ago, or the A40 Devon.

Has anyone used a handle in recent times?

RJ
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[Riley Blue]

I used one a couple of weeks ago. With no power to my lock-up, I usually take my boost charger but I'd forgotten to charge it so after months asleep, a quick 'whizz' by hand was the only way to awaken my Riley - which it did, thankfully.
However, I'm getting too old to start an engine by hand, my back ached for days...
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Rootes75]

In all the years I have been restoring I can't ever recall using a starting handle on one of the cars. We have used one to move, albeit very slowly, the Commer in and out of the workshop at times.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[kevin2306]

Never used one to start an engine (apart from the usual generators and concrete mixers)
Only ever used to set timing.

Kev

[Ellis]

The first time I used a starting handle was in 1971 and that was purely out of curiosity on my mother's Renault 4. It worked!

The second time was in March 1984 on my Ford Escort 1100cc van and I managed to stuff the starting handle through the radiator!

The last time was on a friend's Land Rover Series 2a 2286cc diesel. There's a lot of compression in a diesel engine and two heavy turns set me looking for my battery jump cables.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[47Jag]

My first job out of school was as a van boy with a local bakery. I got assigned to a driver who could only drive an ancient Albion instead of the more modern Thorneycrofts because of his vast waistline. The van didn't have a starter and I was given instruction on how to swing the handle with my thumbs clear of the handle. All went well until one sunny Friday when having reversed into a small yard the driver went into a shop to settle up the weeks bill. I was waiting outside and saw him heading back to the van. I thought it would be a good idea to have the engine running for him when he got back. I knew that he turned a switch and I gave the handle an almighty swing only for the van to take off backwards..... He had left it in reverse. I grabbed the nearest thing which was the headlamp and tried in vain to stop the progress as it lurched toward an outside staircase. Realising the I was losing the fight I reached in and turned the switch to off. Drama over! My man then gave me instruction on how to make sure the 'box was it neutral and then patted me on the head for showing a bit of initiative.

Art

[ukdave2002]

I quite often use a starting handle on the Z van, and always if the battery hasn't had a charge for a week or 2.

Dave

[Farmer John]

Morning all.
Twelve months ago, delivered a Farmall M to the main dealer, he bought it for display, and I brought back a new tractor. That particular M does not even have a starter, it was already loaded when I picked up the transporter.
On arrival at the dealer's I got up on the deck to start the tractor. The handle engaged in the dog at about 10 o'clock so I figured it would be silly for me to even attempt to crank the thing. You could say that discretion was the better part of valour but to be honest the improper fitting of the crank dog caused me to lose interest in the whole machine.
I offered to roll it off but the well-fed young man from sales expended about a week's worth of his calorie intake by winding it into life and I backed it off.

John

[Dipster]

[Ellis]

[Dipster]

You really do live and learn every day, eh?

[Ray White]

Rick, do you remember I had a lot of trouble with the 6 volt starter on my Dodge? The starter motor would only turn the engine over slowly. This was still usually enough to start the engine but if the battery was down just a bit I had to get it going on the handle (what Americans call the crank!)

The Dodge handle is a bit different in that it has a square section on one end which is used to remove a 2" cast iron plug to gain access to the starting dog. Like some models of MG, the handle passes through the centre engine mount. In use, the plug needs to be kept screwed onto the front of the engine mount to to prevent oil from splashing out.

I have no worries about starting the little 750 Austin Seven engine on the handle but the Dodge being 3,500 c.c. is more of a worry. Even though the compressions are only 50 psi the thought of a kick back is concern enough to avoid use of the handle and now the starter motor is fully rebuilt I don't have to. In fact I have lowered the number plate because it was restricting airflow to the radiator so now if I need to use the starting handle I will have to undo a couple of small dome headed nuts to gain access but I have judged that to be a reasonable compromise.

Interestingly, the Factory Austin Seven, would normally have a handle permanently attached; my Austin Swallow would not. The ugly hole in the bottom of the radiator shell has over the years been distorted by careless use of the handle so I have fitted a neat round cover over it This looks like it was made for the car but in fact it is chrome effect plastic with a thread and nut on the reverse for fixing. In fact, it was originally a plug hole stopper from a new sink unit!

[badhuis]

Around 1990 the battery of my Imp was dead. I started it for a few days on the handle and then tried to buy a new battery, but no one had it in stock. So I had to wait and use the handle for a few more days. Twice each day because I used the Imp to get to and from work.

I also have used the handle a few times for my 6 cyl Westminster because of a weak battery.

A good tip I learned is before starting, to prime the carb by manually pumping the fuel pump - the older models have a manual lever. You do not want to have to turn the handle a few revolutions just to get fuel in the float chamber!
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[Mog]

I always made sure my Landrovers started on the handle . The plain bearing on the back of generator failed, due to lack of oil. I was in the middle of nowhere , by myself. I was on the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs going east . I got to Urandangi [google ] and thought I would get some help. It looks big on the map ! There was only one family there, they ran the pub , store and petrol. The armature was banging around in the casing but I knew I could not fix it. I got to Mt. Isa and got another generator from a wrecker. I made sure that the rear bearing had plenty of oil !

[Mog]

If you are hand cranking , keep your thumb the same side as your fingers. Less chance of injure .