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Crank Start On A Cj5

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Mr Vaughan, Oct 20, 2020.

  1. Oct 22, 2020
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Can you elaborate on the relationship between the spark retard function and danger in hand cranking?
     
  2. Oct 22, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Traditionally vintage vehicles had a lever on the steering column to manually adjust ignition timing.

    The protocol was to fully retard the timing when hand cranking. This makes the engine less likely to "kick back" (reverse rotation) before Top Dead Center when it first fires on one cylinder.

    It is also vitally important to not wrap one's thumb around the crank. Keep the thumb aligned next to your fingers, and PULL - do NOT push. If the engine does kick, the crank can pull out of your grip instead of breaking your arm.
     
  3. Oct 22, 2020
    tcfeet

    tcfeet Member

    east of west,...
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    We had an old Allis Chalmers tractor that did not even have a place for a starter.. Cranked it by hand. The trick was to "pull up on the crank handle" with fingers and thumb on the bottom side . That way if it kicked back, you just saved broken bones...
     
  4. Oct 23, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    This is the truth. If you're worried about a dead battery, one of those $100 lithium-ion jump start packs would be better in the toolbox than a hand crank.
     
  5. Oct 23, 2020
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Jun 19, 2009
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    What Pete said is 100% correct. First thing I was taught when starting all this old junk I play with is the proper way to hold a hand crank.

    My Titan tractor is much different than a jeep, but the same principle applies. The worst I have had happen is I forgot to retard it once and it back fired and the crank whacked me in the chin. Luckily no damage was done. I have seen other people do similar things who weren't as lucky. Broken noses, loss of teeth, broken thumbs, ect.

     
    Fireball likes this.
  6. Oct 23, 2020
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    That makes sense, thanks for the explanation. It makes you realize how dangerous mechanical equipment of that era was.
    I've hand started airplane engines a bunch. That's a bit different as the natural swing of your arms pulls your hands out of the propeller arc. So, regardless of if the engine kicks back you are out of the way. The bigger danger is if the throttle is accidentally left open and the airplane runs away without or over you.
     
  7. Oct 23, 2020
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
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    Here's a video demo on a CJ2A

     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  8. Oct 23, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Good demo.

    The Titan video is very cool. I love how it fires up with one pull!
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2020
  9. Oct 23, 2020
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
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    X2...that thing is COOL
     
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