i have three running A Ds and a few parts trucks. Also have collected many many pieces and parts. Has anyone ever used or even seen a hand crank for a 216. I would like to try one on my 53 3100 as it always starts easily.
They are out there and are available as reproductions by a few vendors. Here's the one that Chevs of the 40's sells. http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/13746/Chevrolet_HAND_CRANK_MANUAL_START_HARDENED_STEEL.html
Until I was in my mid-teens my greatest envy was of neighbors that had electric start tractors. Our John Deere was started by pulling on the flywheel, the Farmall had a hand crank, and the bulldozer used a long bar inserted into holes in the flywheel. On the cars a well tuned flathead V8 started instantly with a crank and inline engines were a bit harder. I have always thought this was due to the central location of the carburetor which gave more cylinders access to the air/fuel mixture. Just like kick start motorcycles you rolled the engine over till you had a cylinder come up on compression (you WILL know) and then gave a quick hard tug. Always keep all your fingers AND THUMB on the same side of the crank handle.
As Even said , never , EVER allow your thumb to be opposed to the rest of your fingers on the crank handle as it'll cripple you for life . Also , after you've high sided the cylinder , re set the crank so you pull sharply UP to start the engine , pushing down or trying to crank it , will result in a broken wrist or worse... I guess Evan's Deere was _really_ old as our '35 Model 'A' and '37 Model 'B' J-D's both had magnetos and electric start but we , being dirt poor Dairy Farmers , couldn't afford the $12.00 6 volt battery so we had to hand crank it too and the teeth on the flywheel were nasty . My envy was to the " rich " farmers who had post WWII equipments . THANX for the memories ! .
I pull start my 36 Massey Harris Challenger anymore, just getting to hard to hand crank it. last time I tried it opened up a 1/2 inch gash in my chin. By pulling it, it gives my other half some seat time on "her" green Farmall H. I have the hand crank for the H and the 9 and 8Ns also.
Thanks for info and pics I growed up with a VAC case tractor with a crank and a hand pump. My dad was bon in 1921 and saw hard times in these Ky hills.He was big on makin due wiath what you had. Hard times made them the (greatest generation) I think maybe soft times have made us the worst. Right now I dont have a crankstart tractor but have several antique flywheel engines with cranks.I have pulled them to local antique mach. shows for several years wiath my bad overloaded 53 half ton.Good little truck and has hauled hay,firewood hogs,calves,rocks,gravel,scrap iron(and i do mean scrap) and everything else Ive needed hauled.Im headen to the courthose today to tag and title my new 48 1 ton.Should do a better job. If I cant workem I dont wantem.Sssorry for the rattlin on. Thanks again
Broke Forearm Most folks never broke their arm but once. I had a Uncle who managed to not learn after the first break. After the second broke arm, he got good at cranking with the crank. He was a great farmer and a good Uncle. May he rest in peace. I have never had to use a hand crank, so have missed the broke arm but have been struck by lightning while working on a ford last week. Was not my turn to go.
Burnt a little Me thinks GOD sometimes speaks through thunder. This time I suspect to my 17-yr old son. It burnt my hand holding the umbrella, knocked out my cell phone & got my sons attention. A day latter I was over it; it took my son close to a week to loosen up all his mussels. Did not bother the F250 at all. The float was stuck shut and could not get gas. A tap at the fuel inlet made it work. GOD is GOD & it is good if/when we think so!
There are 2 things you don't do in a thunderstorm. Number 1, you don't hold an umbrella! Number 2, you don't fish with a 7 ft. long 100% graphite rod in your hand and set the hook on a trophy trout! Chances are against you! Life is precious; F#@d's, umbrellas, and fishing poles are expendible! But with that said, trophy trout are hard to come by! Jokin'!
Lee Trevino would add "If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron."
Let That Be A Lesson To You You have been warned ! no more brand 'F' trucks ! (BTW : I'm so glad you're O.K.!)
