Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Ellis

[im

g]

The first car I started with a starting handle was a four day old Renault 4 in the Spring of 1971. The battery wasn't flat or any fault with the car, I just wanted to do it!

The second time was my 1967 Ford Escort van when I embarrassingly put the starting handle straight through the bottom of the radiator. I have written of this before and need no further reminding.

I remember as a child seeing many people using starting handles especially in winter. Mr Hassell, down the road would use nothing else to start his 100E Anglia at any time of the year.

Interesting it may have been but I also remember one Forestry Commission employee breaking most of his right hand teeth while starting a Bedford CA van. The van started but the driver was not quick enough in withdrawing the handle and it whacked his face.

Try explaining the need or use of one to anybody under the age of 40 and you feel like a dinosaur.

What memories do you have of these relics of a bygone age?
[/img]
_________________
Starting Handle Expert

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

goneps · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 1:18 am Post subject:

Not that long ago, actually, while helping a friend to start his recalcitrant Morris Eight—the handle's a useful tool for finding TDC when setting timing.

Long ago, in South Africa, my parter's family owned three examples of the Renault AX. On one occasion her father asked me to crank the one he was driving, but the bl**dy thing backfired and whacked my forehead on the coal scuttle bonnet. Fortunately my skull proved tougher than a Renault bonnet, in which it left a small dent.

Richard

Keith D · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 1:57 am Post subject:

This morning! I regularly turn the Cowley engine over by hand every few weeks while the car is unused.

Keith

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

2 weeks ago.....

I tried to start my series Land Rover on it's starting handle, but haven't got the "knack" I guess.

Uncle Alec · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 734 Location: Manchester

Every time I check the tappet clearances, ignition timing, or (often overlooked) as an impromptu compression tester.

roverdriver · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:22 am Post subject:

As Richard and Uncle Alec have said, an important implement for turning the engine for adjustments.
I had a lot of starting handle experience with Model A and T Fords, in fact I used the handle daily for one whole winter in my A, due to impecuniousness at the time and a nearly deceased battery. In fact towards the end of the season, the battery failed to hold even enough charge for ignition, but undaunted I used a dry six volt torch battery each time.
I managed to scratch up enough funds for a battery in the Spring.
_________________
Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1468 Location: Netherlands

Early nineties when the battery of my Hillman Imp was toast. I did not have the money to buy a new one for two weeks so those weeks I started the Imp 2 times per day on the handle.
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

Keith D · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:51 am Post subject:

If I have a sick battery I prefer to push start a car. Obviously that only applies to a manual and assumes you have a suitable slope handy!.

Just out of curiosity, has there ever been an automatic supplied with a starting handle. I can't think of one and it would be dammed dangerous!

Keith

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22783 Location: UK

It's been a while since I started a car on the handle, when I ran my Mk1 A40 as a daily driver, it wasn't unknown to use it in the winter especially.

Lately though as others have said, it's usually while setting timing or just to keep things free.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

A year or two ago, most likely after my Riley has been standing for a while however I now have a battery booster gizmo about the size of a thick paperback book that will start it even after it's been sitting for several months.
It's an incredible piece of kit that I was sceptical of at first but I must admit it was by far the best of last Christmas's presents. It doubles up as a power pack for my mobile phone - very useful on events like yesterday's charity drive when an accurate odometer is useful for tulip diagram navigation.
So, for me, unable to do much 'home mechanicing' these days, a starting handle is likely to be a thing of the past.
_________________
David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

Dipster · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 2:11 pm Post subject:

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

The last time I one was on a friend's vintage car with magneto ignition. With my SS I need to find a convenient point and give it a rapid quarter turn to get going but this technique was completely useless with the vintage. Unlike the SS you hardly noticed its compressions so it was easy to actually wind up some rotating speed, helped by the heavy flywheel, and with some decent revs on the handle it sprang into life.

Peter
_________________
https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

V8 Nutter · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 601

Not an automatic, but I remember a story about someone with a Lanchester with a fluid flywheel and a Wilson gear box. They started it on the handle and the car pushed them into the garage wall, but the engine cut out and the only damage was a bent starting handle and badly bruised shins.

goneps · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:33 pm Post subject:

Keith D · Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 1:05 am Post subject:

A friend has a very early T model Ford and when he started it on a cold morning he used to have to jack a rear wheel up before cranking it. When the thing started a rear wheel was revolving! This happened every morning on a ten day rally we were both on. Something to do with the gearbox used on the Fords I believe. I wasn't impressed at all!

Keith