Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Hand cranking?

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion << previous || next >>

Posted By Discussion Topic: Hand cranking? -- page: 1 2     watwasithinking 03-02-2011 @ 7:37 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 33 Joined: Dec 2009 My '36 is rather easy to crank by hand. I set the crank at about 7 o'clock'...pull up.... and it starts right up. (On occasion when asked about the hole in the bottom of the grill by some dis-believer, I get the old crank and extension out and demonstrate) I believe the key ingredient is a hot battery,good coil and distributor set up. I've got my engine tuned and timing set so that each day I can start it without touching the accelerator or pulling the choke. I'm using the 68-12127 distributor with the flat top coil. Although this set up was designed for aluminum heads...it works very well with the Ford cast iron heads. I mention this information because I feel that this set up enables easier starting. This car is driven almost daily down here in Florida. Thomas ken ct. 02-27-2011 @ 4:22 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1513 Joined: Jan 2010 Ive hand cranked my 36 a few times and i dont see a problem?? ken ct. 41fatty203 02-27-2011 @ 3:59 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Feb 2011 I used to hand crank my 41 Deluxe coupe for demonsration until I broke my grille around the crankhole. wrosenkrans 12-03-2010 @ 9:27 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 134 Joined: Oct 2010 "Always starts on the last crank," I going to use that... Wayne & Barb '42 Super De Luxe Tudor Henryat1140 12-02-2010 @ 3:48 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 110 Joined: Nov 2009 Well it can be done - but I'd suggest only for the novelty of doing it. We cranked my '36 using the lug wrench and extension. It started right up. I've had numerous early Model T's, only one with a starter, and am used to cranking. I used to say, they ALWAYS start on the _last_ crank (yuk yuk). supereal 12-02-2010 @ 1:36 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 In typical Ford fashion, the crankshaft nut, called a "ratchet", was used in one form or another up to and including '48. Other than the four cylinder engines, and the 60hp, they will fit all engines, including the six. I don't recall anyone actually hand cranking many Fords after the Model A days. drkbp 12-01-2010 @ 5:46 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 180 Joined: Aug 2010 I hand crank my '14 T because it has no starter but me. My '25 T has a starter and I use it. I crank left handed and have gotten slapped on the hand only a time or two. It only happens when I don't retard the spark like I should. I would rather roll the V8 car and start it if I have to. I hate to stick a crank through the grill of my '35 to start it. The grill doesn't have a crack or break in it. The timing is 4 degrees before top dead center on the V8 and I don't like to crank a "strange" engine by hand set before TDC. Mine will start in reverse or second rolling down the drive. I always had thought the crank in the V8 years was more for setting the valves and such. Do I have that wrong? Ken in Texas Stroker 12-01-2010 @ 4:12 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 Wayne-n-Barb: Yeah, it works better on a T, since the vibrator coils allow for a lot of latitude, It works on an A, only if moving the spark lever opens the points. Like you, I've gotten a couple of "freebies" on my 26 Coupe, but I've never had it happen on our 29 or 31. Somehow, I miss having a mixture control and spark control. I know that this has been done automatically, since 1932, but I still like CONTROL! wrosenkrans 12-01-2010 @ 3:19 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 134 Joined: Oct 2010 I've heard of that trick working on Model T's, but everything has to be just right. I've been able to get a "free start" like that a couple times. Never heard of it working on a Model A though. Wayne & Barb '42 Super De Luxe Tudor 42wagon 12-01-2010 @ 10:29 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 Here's a bit of trivia that probably belongs in a Model A forum but since we are on the subject of starting cars without using the electric starter here goes. It is possible if you catch it just right to start a Model A on compression. Push up the spark retarder and turn the key. If the engine stopped at just the right point, is warm enough, and has a good compression seal, it will start. It has happened to me several times, but like I say you need to catch it just right.

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

EFV-8 Club Forum Home | Back to Home Page | Contact the Webmaster

Copyright © 2009 - EFV-8.org
Powered by < CF FORUM > v.2.1