Thread: Starting Crank

been there done that a few dozen times...

have carpal tunnel to prove it [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

just joking..

i always pour a little (as in a tablespoon) petrol down the throat of the carby to help get it moving... unless it is flooded already..

and crank away..

sputter sputter cough cough, bugger!

Hi topo, When I was 10 my dad had a 2a with a 2.6l 6cyl. and I used the crank handle no problems at all. choke @ half ,2 pumps on the gas pedal, set the handle to push down and it fired as the crank handle came up.
But that was 25 years ago.
Also keep your thumbs near your fingers on the handle (like when you hold the steering wheel off road) to lesson the chance of braking them :wink:

hope this helps Mick

Originally posted by Topo
Hi there,

Has anyone ever started a series landy with the hand crank.

From a cold start ?

I would like to learn a proven technique.

cheers

I have frequently started Series petrol engines (2.0 and 2.25) with the starting handle, usually when I have forgotten to switch off the UHF radio, or when a bit short of money for a new battery (last time was a broken brush spring on the alternator). Provided the engine is in a good state of tune, it is easy, although a bit of work, and there are a few points to watch. Procedure as follows for 2.25.

Precautions:
Make sure ignition timing is correct.
ALWAYS hold the crank with fingers and thumb on the same side of the handle.
ALWAYS pull up not push down.
Either ensure the sleeve on the handle is free and oiled, or wear gloves.
It makes it easier to turn if you put a few drops of oil on the crankhandle where it goes through the bumper.

Cold.
Use the priming lever on the fuel pump to ensure the carburetter is full, turning the engine half a turn with the crank if you can't feel it pumping, and pumping until the feel changes.
Choke full out
Turn engine four compressions
Ignition on,
Should start on the next pull

Hot.
If very hot and it has been standing a while, fill the carburetter with the hand primer, as the fuel may have evaporated.
Hand throttle about four notches (this will vary with how it is set up, but the setting that gives a fast idle with the engine hot.)
Should start on about the third pull

If the above procedure does not start the engine, look for problems such as burnt points, bad plugs, poor compression, old petrol. A worn needle valve may allow it to flood. If the engine does not start very readily with the starter, it won't cranking either.

I spent a long six months starting my SIII with the crank handle when I was a poor officer cadet at Duntroon. Even in the coldest Canberra night/morning I could start first time - to get it to work you really need to have the engine tune spot on.

I developed a technique that kept my hands clean (doing it every weekend for six months gives you time to get it right!), by giving the engine a couple of slow turns, then making sure I was on the compression stroke I would position the handle so it was just off the 12 o'clock then holding on to the bullbar I would use the handle like a kickstart - started first go every time, and impressed a few passers-by (and my girlfriend the first couple of times).

Have fun, keep fit and save money on expensive batteries - what cant a series Landy offer?