Praise for folks like you keeping these machines in such state as to be able to keep this technique going shows perfection in maintaining. This is what the new world has built OUT of society responsibility and I commend every body who continues to keep all things up in this state. Thank you.
Thanks for your film, and the important information re, keeping your thumb tucked in. The old starting handle, was a great bit of kit. In my early 20s I had to start a 1956 Armstrong Sidderly 236 with a flat battery. I'd borrowed the car to take my girlfriend out for the evening. Great times, great cars and god bless the old starting handle.👍
Back in 1974, my first car was a 1965 Peugeot 404, which also had a crank handle. I never managed to start it via that method. I wish I'd known the technique.
@Motersickle Bum back in the 70s most electric starter cars still have cranks, even the vw beetle does, as he said he never managed to start it "via that method" so he probably just used the electric starter
@Motersickle Bum Maybe not most, but several. My own example being my 1984 Citroen 2cv, and I've been glad of the starter handle many times when I've had a dead battery or stuck starter.
@@motersicklebum7632 It depended on the manufacturer and market. American cars did tend to move away from it faster than European ones, what with all the "atomic age" hype in the US and whatnot. Also, trucks tended to hold out beyond normal cars, presumably since their target audience skewed more toward the rural workman, who was more likely than your average joe to be caught in a remote area with a stuck starter. Eventually, though, engines just became too high-compression for hand-cranking to be feasible. Some did still keep the crankhole and handle even then, though only as a method of getting things aligned after certain maintenance tasks, rather than as a starting method.
All these old cars are are like that. It's all the accessories, emissions equipment, A/C, power steering, power brakes etc... clog up the engine bay. Modern cars are so jam packed with stuff they often don't even have space left for the battery so they stick it in the trunk.
Beautiful sound to my ears. My dad LED an expensive crank car go for almost nothing. Antique. I got upset at him and I was young real young. And when she had never saw that cuz I love that thing. Would play on it all the time. His old tractor too. Love his voice. Like the accent.
recon forsales modern cars have high compression ratio engine, impossible to hand crank it without adding some mechanical system in the car and that means the car must be bigger in size.
There’s no way you or I would be strong enough to spin it. Today’s engine are way more powerful and the torque when it turned over would probably break your arm.
No body else has commented but I was impressed that you managed to start an OHV 4 cylinder engine with one arm / hand. I first of all thought that it's a side valve but no it's OHV. Perhaps you had your Shredded Wheat that morning LOL (or I'm just a wimp haha). I guess good technique helps.
I actually did not know that way back when, cars had MECHANICAL turn signals with little flags that stick out when you wanna turn! That’s honestly a really cool design choice! This is one of many examples why cars from the 30’s to the 70’s are and shall always be the perfect examples of how cars are supposed to look. After the 70’s and just a bit after the 80’s the quality of cars really took a massive nosedive. Sure cars are safe and powerful now… but why did we have to make them look like ugly insects instead of stylish like they used to? Surely it cannot be THAT hard to make a ROUND headlight in a modern car. Let’s face it. The only cars that have any sense of good looks these days are sports cars and the Tesla. (Say what you will about the Tesla, but there is no denying how amazing it looks.)
I have a 1949 Renault 760 with semi-phore indicators! You are quite right though. Most modern cars all look alike, mainly because there are no longer many car companies, plus the fact that all cars have to comply with so much regulation, which tends to produce similar looking solutions. And why are the majority of modern cars such dull colours? The seem to be black, white, various shades of grey or dark colours that look black anyway.
It looks different because of the improvements of chasis design like unibodys were starting to be made and it became less important to streamline them.
The main difference between those old cars and the new ones is the way the engine is positioned inside the bonnet. The old version had the engine facing the front but the new cars have it placed laterally making it impossible to start with a handle. The starter handle has two pin like arrangement which enabled the handle get temporarily fixed to the engine when inserted through the bumper. Once the engine started , the rod will slip out so that it can be taken out . This facility was available till the 70s in Indian made cars. It vanished only with the advent of Maruti Suzuki. The advantage of this feature is that when there is starting problem because of low battery power/ armature it can still be started with one person pressing the accelerator pedal and the other rotating the handle. No need for pushing the car in heavy traffic and occupying more space when there is starting problem. Modern technology and affluence have made it obsolete.
I suggest a better, I think, way. More like how to start an old aircraft. This assumes an electric fuel pump. Turn on the ignition. Wait till the fuel pump has filled the carburettor float bowl. Switch off the ignition. Choke out, full if a cold start, partially if a hot start. Insert the handle and rotate at least two complete turns. Note which cylinder has the best compression. Rotate again, but pause with the "best" cylinder on full compression. Set the starting handle at 3 o'clock or at least on the down stroke. Switch on the ignition. Standing on the right hand side of the handle, press down firmly on the starting handle with the ball of the foot. I've found this approach extremely successful on a bunch of ancient Austin Morris vehicles, including a J4, which had a starting handle made from an Austin Cambridge one with a piece of tube welded in to make it close to 4 feet long and a 1941 K2 fire tender with a 4.5 litre engine. Add a Hillman Imp to those. You have to learn to ignore the "winding up Noddy's car" remarks while so doing. So no twisted thumbs and no damaged backs. If it's a manual fuel pump, you might need to rotate the engine a few times (ignition off) or, better, find the fuel pump which often has a priming lever and use that. Remember, you may have to rotate the engine 90 degrees if the camshaft has already pushed the diaphragm in. It's easy to identify as, pushed in already, the throw on the pump will be small and there will be no sense of work being performed.
Why does the handle not keep spinning after the engine starts? Is there some sort of automatic release mechanism? If so, can you be injured if such mechanism fails?
Hey, just wondering what that big cylinder is above the engine? Ive seen a few Minors here in australia and not seen those on them, my dad owned a lot back in his day and has no idea. Hoping to one day get one of my own.
it only works if you have big giant teeth in your face to handle the grounding current going through your arm - - through your skull- down through the spinal cord to the ground.
Wow, this car doesnt even look old on the outside (well if you put a modern car inside (radio, different speedometer) I wouldnt even knew it is old Not like stuff from the 70 and 80s, I hate that boxed design Can you legaly drive this? Can you register and ensure it?
This person is wrong. "Kicking" has nothing to do with how you hold your thumb. Getting hurt is caused by PUSHING THE CRANK rather than PULLING the crank.
Same car as my great grandfather RIP. I'm now 50 and i remember him doing this :-) Brought back happy memories :-)
Praise for folks like you keeping these machines in such state as to be able to keep this technique going shows perfection in maintaining. This is what the new world has built OUT of society responsibility and I commend every body who continues to keep all things up in this state. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouraging words.
Thanks for your film, and the important information re, keeping your thumb tucked in.
The old starting handle, was a great bit of kit. In my early 20s I had to start a 1956 Armstrong Sidderly 236 with a flat battery. I'd borrowed the car to take my girlfriend out for the evening. Great times, great cars and god bless the old starting handle.👍
Probably the only car that could survive being blasted by an EMP
I started a morris traveller 1000 this way
Nope, only older diesel cars
These cars still have a magneto and even just train tracks can mess up with the ignition.
So can a Ford model-A or Model-T
Can always buy a motorcycle with kick start if you are worried about that.
@@joebombero1 fair,i was mostly poking fun,i think if an EMP went off we would have bigger problems than this.
Back in 1974, my first car was a 1965 Peugeot 404, which also had a crank handle. I never managed to start it via that method. I wish I'd known the technique.
@Motersickle Bum back in the 70s most electric starter cars still have cranks, even the vw beetle does, as he said he never managed to start it "via that method" so he probably just used the electric starter
@Motersickle Bum Maybe not most, but several. My own example being my 1984 Citroen 2cv, and I've been glad of the starter handle many times when I've had a dead battery or stuck starter.
@Motersickle Bum I really hope you're joking, otherwise I'd be pretty sad for knowing that such stupid people exist
@Motersickle Bum Very informative and useful, thanks
@@motersicklebum7632 It depended on the manufacturer and market. American cars did tend to move away from it faster than European ones, what with all the "atomic age" hype in the US and whatnot. Also, trucks tended to hold out beyond normal cars, presumably since their target audience skewed more toward the rural workman, who was more likely than your average joe to be caught in a remote area with a stuck starter. Eventually, though, engines just became too high-compression for hand-cranking to be feasible. Some did still keep the crankhole and handle even then, though only as a method of getting things aligned after certain maintenance tasks, rather than as a starting method.
Good job !!! I watched this video even though it's a very old video from 11 years ago
Hi it's the air filter, later ones had a 'saucepan' type. Export cars I believe were fitted with oil-bath air cleaners.
Quality video mate, I was inspired to try it myself last night after watching this.
Thanks man
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done sir ! You are the first to actually place your thumb in the right position
I really didn't expect so much extra space in that engine compartment...
All these old cars are are like that. It's all the accessories, emissions equipment, A/C, power steering, power brakes etc... clog up the engine bay. Modern cars are so jam packed with stuff they often don't even have space left for the battery so they stick it in the trunk.
My 1st pick up was a 1980 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton, had a 305. There was almost enough room under the hood to close it with someone inside
We wanted the American styling (big bonnet/hood etc), but we couldn't afford the big 7.0 V8s because of the war.
Beautiful sound to my ears. My dad LED an expensive crank car go for almost nothing. Antique. I got upset at him and I was young real young. And when she had never saw that cuz I love that thing. Would play on it all the time. His old tractor too. Love his voice. Like the accent.
i wish all the modern cars have that sort of starting facilility
+recon forsales I also wish that
recon forsales i wish that too. It would definitely help a lot of people who have a dead battery
recon forsales modern cars have high compression ratio engine, impossible to hand crank it without adding some mechanical system in the car and that means the car must be bigger in size.
Or cars can just have them to recharge their batteries so you use keys on daily but if car dies pullout the crank and crank away
There’s no way you or I would be strong enough to spin it. Today’s engine are way more powerful and the torque when it turned over would probably break your arm.
Thanks for the reply, he did mention oil bath cleaners, he said most of them changed the air filters any way back in the 50's when they were teens.
You're a real cranker mate.
It's brilliant seeing the semaphore indicators in action!
Semaphore. Well remembered.
beautiful old car, far more beautiful than our modern
"streamlined" models
Remember my childhood in India. Only one such car in town in 1960...
No body else has commented but I was impressed that you managed to start an OHV 4 cylinder engine with one arm / hand. I first of all thought that it's a side valve but no it's OHV. Perhaps you had your Shredded Wheat that morning LOL (or I'm just a wimp haha).
I guess good technique helps.
Thank you. There is a definite technique, you have to feel for a compression stroke.
First time I've ever seen the operating, lighted, turn flags! The early ones in the US all seem to have those little doors welded shut.
And now we have cars that start via voice command! Crazy! But vintage cars are ❤️
This is what I want . No computers, no batteries.
ya it would be great to see a new Toyota with a hand crank!
I actually did not know that way back when, cars had MECHANICAL turn signals with little flags that stick out when you wanna turn! That’s honestly a really cool design choice! This is one of many examples why cars from the 30’s to the 70’s are and shall always be the perfect examples of how cars are supposed to look. After the 70’s and just a bit after the 80’s the quality of cars really took a massive nosedive. Sure cars are safe and powerful now… but why did we have to make them look like ugly insects instead of stylish like they used to? Surely it cannot be THAT hard to make a ROUND headlight in a modern car. Let’s face it. The only cars that have any sense of good looks these days are sports cars and the Tesla. (Say what you will about the Tesla, but there is no denying how amazing it looks.)
I have a 1949 Renault 760 with semi-phore indicators! You are quite right though. Most modern cars all look alike, mainly because there are no longer many car companies, plus the fact that all cars have to comply with so much regulation, which tends to produce similar looking solutions.
And why are the majority of modern cars such dull colours? The seem to be black, white, various shades of grey or dark colours that look black anyway.
those angry eyes are the most ugly fucking thing out their modern cars go from being the ugliest to ahead of a fiat multipla
You should hear about the Nissan Hardbody D21 from the 90’s, those things are even more durable than a Toyota Hilux from the 80’s
It looks different because of the improvements of chasis design like unibodys were starting to be made and it became less important to streamline them.
Interesting you said Tesla looks good, since Teslas looks a lot like other cars.
Really cool. cheers
Very good idea
Old is gold
I've just watched this again. The engine sounds very healthy!
Thank you. I had only recently completed some major engine work on it when this was filmed, gosh 8 years ago now.
At least you didn’t have worry about a starter , battery , or an alternator going out.
Best of luck
I owned one back in '61- 65
Wow that person keeps the original engine still.
It's a pity that modern cars cannot be started like that.
The main difference between those old cars and the new ones is the way the engine is positioned inside the bonnet. The old version had the engine facing the front but the new cars have it placed laterally making it impossible to start with a handle. The starter handle has two pin like arrangement which enabled the handle get temporarily fixed to the engine when inserted through the bumper. Once the engine started , the rod will slip out so that it can be taken out . This facility was available till the 70s in Indian made cars. It vanished only with the advent of Maruti Suzuki. The advantage of this feature is that when there is starting problem because of low battery power/ armature it can still be started with one person pressing the accelerator pedal and the other rotating the handle. No need for pushing the car in heavy traffic and occupying more space when there is starting problem. Modern technology and affluence have made it obsolete.
I suggest a better, I think, way. More like how to start an old aircraft. This assumes an electric fuel pump. Turn on the ignition. Wait till the fuel pump has filled the carburettor float bowl. Switch off the ignition. Choke out, full if a cold start, partially if a hot start. Insert the handle and rotate at least two complete turns. Note which cylinder has the best compression. Rotate again, but pause with the "best" cylinder on full compression. Set the starting handle at 3 o'clock or at least on the down stroke. Switch on the ignition. Standing on the right hand side of the handle, press down firmly on the starting handle with the ball of the foot.
I've found this approach extremely successful on a bunch of ancient Austin Morris vehicles, including a J4, which had a starting handle made from an Austin Cambridge one with a piece of tube welded in to make it close to 4 feet long and a 1941 K2 fire tender with a 4.5 litre engine. Add a Hillman Imp to those. You have to learn to ignore the "winding up Noddy's car" remarks while so doing.
So no twisted thumbs and no damaged backs.
If it's a manual fuel pump, you might need to rotate the engine a few times (ignition off) or, better, find the fuel pump which often has a priming lever and use that. Remember, you may have to rotate the engine 90 degrees if the camshaft has already pushed the diaphragm in. It's easy to identify as, pushed in already, the throw on the pump will be small and there will be no sense of work being performed.
The Halfords battery ruined the nostalgic trip for me. Lol
Halfords have been going since 1892.
Why does the handle not keep spinning after the engine starts? Is there some sort of automatic release mechanism? If so, can you be injured if such mechanism fails?
Is that an SU carburetor?
Hey, just wondering what that big cylinder is above the engine? Ive seen a few Minors here in australia and not seen those on them, my dad owned a lot back in his day and has no idea. Hoping to one day get one of my own.
Oil filled air filter maybe , my dad had an old Willy’s station wagon with one worked very well
By looking at the thumbnail I thought it was a 2000's honda or toyota
Ey your up near Littleborough
What about the carburetor?
Engine sounds rough, should show the safest way of holding handle to avoid kick back. Handle is most useful for winding vehicles out of mud by hand
👍🇵🇹
it only works if you have big giant teeth in your face to handle the grounding current going through your arm - - through your skull- down through the spinal cord to the ground.
why no starter?
Wow, this car doesnt even look old on the outside (well if you put a modern car inside (radio, different speedometer) I wouldnt even knew it is old
Not like stuff from the 70 and 80s, I hate that boxed design
Can you legaly drive this? Can you register and ensure it?
I want whatever this is
I wonder why every modern gas and Diesel powered vehicle doesn't have a crank option even if it is just for redundancy
Can anyone tell me what car is this, what brand
morris minor
I think that all cars/trucks should be able to be crank started by hand like this.
Even nowdays.
A lot of the older guys on here cranking their old cars get it wrong and, use their thumb. Who taught you that ?
Look up chauffeur’s fracture
What is the model of this car ?
Morris Minor
get them tappets adjusted cocker.!
12 thou inlet & exhaust☺
Trafficators
This person is wrong. "Kicking" has nothing to do with how you hold your thumb. Getting hurt is caused by PUSHING THE CRANK rather than PULLING the crank.
The starter motor was invented in 1911.
If your starter motor crapped itself, or you stripped your
ring gear, then the crank handle was your last resort.