How to crank-start a Ford Model A by HAND!!

[@AstraWerke]

Finally someone shows the wire trick and not just e-start the car off screen and then crank the warm engine over by hand :)

[@ModelA]

Wait... How did you know?? Hahaaa!! I keep that wire with the crank because you never know.

[@AstraWerke]

@@ModelA Once you had to hand-crank a cold car, you know ;)

[@ModelA]

@@AstraWerke Yea, I had to crank a cold car with a dead battery here in this video. Frankly, I was kinda surprised it lit off on the first pull. It's usually 2 pulls on a cold car for me.

[@AstraWerke]

@@ModelA I'll be honest, I haven't been able to get a cold A to start by hand. That being said, I haven't given my rebuilt engine a try yet.

[@ModelA]

@@AstraWerke If you don't have any vacuum leaks, it should fire right off.

[@bubba6richards729]

Great information Paul. As of today I just purchased a 1931 four door model A. I am so excited to own this piece of history and your videos are PRICELESS!! thanks for all you do for this community 😎👍🏼

[@ModelA]

Well done!!!

[@leahbarnacle6956]

Thanks Paul Leah just reminded me that Aug 12th 1973 this happened. My father in law had a 1911 Maxwell that I learned to crank start an engine. This engine you had to spin full revolutions, 3 or 4 turns before it would start. One time it didn’t want to start. I had to spin the heck out of it and it still didn’t want to start. My last attempt I was tired and relaxed when I was on a compression stroke. My hand was in the crank (thumb correct position) swung back and it swiped across my right knee cap. My knee cap was dislocated. Went to the hospital and Doc I had had never seen this before. The injury was a thumb broken or the forearm. After x-rays, he slipped my kneecap into place and I was back up walking. By the way it did not start that time. I did start the that car many times after that though. That’s my story Steve

[@ModelA]

How did Rochester start Jack's?

[@leahbarnacle6956]

@@ModelA Hi Paul I sent you a picture of Rocherter starting the Maxwell 1923.

[@ARKenMan]

Honestly, this makes me want to buy a Model A and start tinkering around with it. As a guy who grew up obsessing over technology and being a computer programmer for 32 years now, I kind of want to go back to simplicity. I remember my Grandpa having this car and used to drive it from Marshall Arkansas to Little Rock every harvest loaded down with goods to sell. Of course he'd get drunk while he was in Little Rock too. But anyway, he made everything by hand. He even made his own wood lathe. I know because I brought him a chunk of hickory as a kid one time and asked him to make me a baseball bat and he did it. I still have it. We got to talking about his lathe. Had a pile of scrap metal for future use and scrap everything laying around. Farmed his whole life and worked on tractors till the day he died. I've been getting real interested in moving back that direction as of late. Thanks for all the info! Love it.

[@garyaxsom1815]

Been saying I'm going to start my coupe too by the crank now I'm motivated! Lol Thanks hope all is well in Cali

[@ModelA]

You got this!

[@quailstudios]

You have my vote Paul !

[@ModelA]

I can always count on you, brother!

[@patmccarthy5069]

As usual Paul, you taught me something new about the Model A. The eyelet on the choke lever and making a wire lanyard to the front of the car was great. You got my Vote!!!

[@ModelA]

Thanks Pat!

[@jeffreypotter]

Looks pretty easy when you have everything set right.

[@ModelA]

Yep!

[@geoffwatson6207]

Paul, i thought I was the only slow person to forget to turn the key off after running the carburetor dry. Now if you're lucky enough and happened to land with the points open then no problem.

[@ModelA]

Yea. Just my luck

[@lawrencejneuser8801]

When I was the kid my friends had a farmal A that didn't have a battery in it just had a magneto. I want to grab the crank start it, they thought they were going to get a big laugh out of it and watch me break my arm because they didn't think I knew how to start it. I have watched my foster dad give it good quick quarter turn. I did the same thing and it started rite up.

[@ModelA]

What did your friends think of that?

[@solanaceae2069]

One pull start. Outstanding.

[@ModelA]

Pretty reliable machine

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Great information there Paul. I have used hand cranks on tractors back in the day, but not a Model A. The point you made about the timing was awesome, that is some real important information and the way you so easily started her way so easy. Thanks for the pointers and the info. I hope your weekend goes great, see ya later!👍👋

[@ModelA]

Thanks Dan

[@mattpowers3958]

And make sure it’s in neutral with the emergency brake on. Great info and you are 100% correct above the timing. I have had a couple of old tractors get me before and it HURTS. The old tractors and cars were better. If your battery was dead, you weren’t dead in the water. Just crank it, or if you live here in Vermont, just park it on a hill and coast it off. Hills are so easy to find here.🤦‍♂️Thank you, Paul! Have a great weekend.

[@tntgators]

My father and I bought a 1930 coupe in 1970 and we have restored it and we drive it a lot on the street. We have never hand cranked the car until today after watching your video. However we had to tighten the nut on the front motor mount all the way tight before the crank pulley aligned with the crank handle guide. Car started great! However the engine harshness and vibration is terrible so we loosened the nut back to fully out and the vibrations are gone but we cannot hand crank anymore.😔

[@ModelA]

That's great! And not great. But, that tells me that either (or both) your rear motor mounts are sagging or the frame is bent.

[@dalemettee1147]

Paul as usual, you showed us things that are really interesting concerning that piece of wire to adjust the choke lever. Now, I'm wondering if you should just keep that length of wire in the car or wrap it up and store it under the hood. Thanks again for another "good to know" video.

[@ModelA]

You can just keep it there if you want.

[@jefft7968]

Remarkably, this scenario visited me in a dream last night. I do not (yet) own a Model A, but I dreamed about hand-cranking "my" Model A, and I even mentioned how thankful I was that I had spent all that time watching Paul Shinn videos. I guess I need to go pick my lottery numbers.

[@ModelA]

My indigenous ancestors put that dream in your head to get you to actively look for a Model A and make it happen. Quit procrastinating!

[@charlietingle1555]

On bad weather days my mother would hand crank a Model A and take me to school. It wasn’t always easy to start. My job was to sit in the drivers seat and make whatever adjustment to the spark advance or throttle or choke she wanted. I was 5-6 years old.

[@ModelA]

Wow!! That game sounds better than dad's "hold the flashlight".

[@vayabroder729]

Love this! My dearly departed grandpa told me this many years ago when I was a child. He said you could break your arm if not done properly. Things in general were designed so well, to last and with common sense as opposed to now. Companies concentrated on being profitable and getting you the best product possible for the least amount of money possible. Nowadays it’s all about being wokesters and their ESG scores. I pray we get back to normalcy sometime! Thank you for this video!

[@ModelA]

I want all the woke crap to go away. America lost its sanity!

[@highwaystar8310]

I’m wondering if there are any model T, A, B etc. that has done 200,000 plus mileage like new cars easily do??? Anyone???

[@KeithFinkFamilyFarm]

Wonderful video! Works for old tractors, too!

[@ModelA]

Yes it does!

[@jimadams5574]

LOL Paul you made that look soooo easy! nice trick with the wire. the timing thing makes sense never thought about that. TX for the vid

[@highwaystar8310]

Just like that I can activate the choke with a wire why I didn’t think of it!!! I just got a 31 sport coupe with a older restoration overall condition an 8 with cosmetics being a 7 paid $7500. Been wanting to crank start it for fun and show. Top notch videos.

[@ModelA]

Good job!!

[@BioMess]

Selling off my "young man toys" to afford a model a of my own.. hopefully by spring. I Plan on growing old in style.. Love Your videos, Thanks for posting.

[@ModelA]

You're going to love the experience! Thanks!

[@mgonzales56]

Hi Paul. I lost track of you for a while. Been watching a lot of COPS video's. I did enjoy this video. That is one beautiful car. Love the blue wire wheels and the blue pin striping. Simply gorgeous. Glad to see you're still putting out video's. Will keep an eye out for the next one. Hope you and Model T are doing great. Take care.

[@ModelA]

Welcome back! You probably have a lot of catching up to do

[@rikagerryts866]

Thank you! I have a Ford Prefect 1947. 1172 cc sidevalve engine. This car shares the same technology as the model A. Also a hand cranck starting mode. Appreciate your energy!

[@ModelA]

Very cool!

[@Go4Corvette]

Nothing like having the right tool for the job. Hey, keep that rod away from my paint job lol. If that pull cable goes thru the radiator and sits there rubbing all the time with vibration, I think I would want some type of tube solder in there to run the cable thru and prevent it from one day cutting a coolant tube open and starting a leak, might take months or years, but maybe am just picky after seeing 40+ years of problems. It does look like you are using copper cable and it should be softer but that depends on what the radiator is made of. Cars today are aluminum and plastic, and older cars are copper and steel. Model A's am not sure what they used back then. But if some guy goes with steel cable there will be a problem one day. Have a great weekend, Mike

[@ModelA]

Thanks Mike! yea, I use soft copper. Radiator is brass.

[@Wooley689]

Fantastic to know, This is information that long ago was well known but lost through time.

[@ModelA]

Glad you enjoyed it! Agreed. Sorta like how to laugh at ourselves and not get offended at everything- Also Lost through time. Or for corporations to not get into politics. Or for kids to walk to school. Etc.

[@butch2kow549]

Excellent video. I learned a few things. Good luck on your election to the board. I can't vote, dropped both magazines about 10 years ago. My 31 Tudor sits most of the time in the garage.

[@ModelA]

Thanks Butch!

[@bjorndahl3912]

Yesterday I whas wundering What the thing with the hole on the carburettor whas- Paul-thx!

[@claztube]

Great fender sticker Got to know about you good sir from Derek. I did see the video when you along with Derek and a coupe others were in the office that Henry once occupied. Good luck with your campaign. Model A motto could be, "Simple Is, Simple Does!"

[@ModelA]

Awesome thank you!

[@WJCTechyman]

Beautiful car, that TopDon charger looks familiar though. Very much like my NoCo chargers.

[@ModelA]

Interesting! Maybe it is the same but rebranded?

[@mr_paw_t]

good way to start my day! Thanks for sharing the video.

[@ModelA]

Thanks Paul!

[@steveduecker9872]

Great video! Makes me want to install a crank start pulley on my Ford 4.6 liter.

[@ModelA]

If you do, make a video PLEASE!

[@vayabroder729]

KILLER poweplants those 4.6’s. I spoke with an engineer who worked at Ford on the design of that motor. As part of their R&D they would run the prototypes full throttle for very long periods and try to break them. They would also take them apart and measure tolerances etc. The one for the 4.6 they had to do it three times before if broke. No wonder those Panther Platform cars (Crown Vics, Marauders, Town Cars) are such great workhorses for police, taxis and limousines. To me one of the best automotive designs ever.

[@steveduecker9872]

@@vayabroder729 I like mine. My parents had a 2003 Towne car and got 23 mpg highway. It was pretty peppy too!

[@vayabroder729]

@@steveduecker9872 Mine have a 2004 Town Car. Original paint and solid as Day One. Not a squeak on the body or suspension. Those doors are solid. Powerful car with the best ride ever and RELIABLE!

[@marcmoore5702]

Good to know

[@mackfisher4487]

Paul, as a candidate are you planning on going to Iowa State fair. I can't think of a person more qualified and giving to the model a community as you for board member. Cars redundancy, I think the model a is like a cockroach it will survive virtually any disaster. By the way does that charger manual have a schematic

[@ModelA]

No schematic, dangit!! The parts are made of chinesium. Thanks for the kind words!

[@mattomon1045]

Paul great info

[@oldmechanic9685]

good video

[@ModelA]

Thanks OM!

[@michaelhanewich245]

We have a Model A with a somehow misaligned crank port to crank. Can't figure out if it's a bent frame, motor mount issue or something else.

[@ModelARickLasCruces]

Believe it or not, that's a common problem. Especially if the car has Float-a-Motor mounts.

[@ModelA]

Rick answered before I could. He's right (as usual). If you have float-a-motor mounts, ditch those and go back to stock before you bend your frame.

[@Jonveee]

I agree with no kick back when retarded timing. My dad told me the story on how he got his first car. In High School his friend had a Model T and while hand starting it kicked back and broke his friends arm. The boys mother said he had to get rid of the car that it was not safe to have around anymore. So my dad traded his bicycle for the car. Sweet deal.

[@ModelA]

Argh!! Too many of those sad stories happened. Thanks for sharing!

[@thepolkster46]

The Model T when starting on the coils , could break your arm, the Model A didn't have enough compression to spontaneous combust on gasoline , but carb cleaner, either or starting fluid could get you a broken thumb.

[@thefixerofbrokenstuff]

I was near 30 years old before I owned a rig that I didn't park where it would could be rolled down hill

[@callmeishmaelk767]

I need the T-shirt and one of these cars.

[@ModelA]

The T shirt is way more affordable

[@callmeishmaelk767]

@@ModelA 😂

[@janetcrosby9274]

Another great and informative video Paul. Thank You ! We now have close to 200 miles on our 1930 Model A Pickup and during the summer months it gets very warm in the cabin. We've added an insulated mat between the floor boards and mat, and insulation under the seat. Is there anything else we can do to lower the temps in the cab. Thanks

[@ModelA]

I guess a firewall insulator is all that's left

[@janetcrosby9274]

Hmmm, had not thought of that. Thanks again !!@@ModelA

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Paul!: That was GREAT! It's too bad all of today's cars are so FULL of electronic junk, it's probably not possible to crank start a car anymore, not to mention the higher ccmpression ratios used today. Of course, they have all of these portable jump starters out now that would probably do the job, but it's not as FUN!

[@ModelA]

I wonder if there is any new car made today that can be as self-sufficient as a Model A? New cars don't even come with a spare tire anymore! Insanity.

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

You know, I bet there isn't!! Here's a sad one on me! I have a Mustang, and I did not think the thing had a spare tire! Being I had a leaky tire that could have been bad! One day I spilled some water in the trunk and removed the carpet from the trunk to dry it! BEHOLD! I HAVE a spare tire!! NO tool kit though!

[@N-Scale]

If I was a member , I would vote for you !!!

[@ModelA]

Thanks!

[@r1lark]

Good video, thanks for explaining about how the timing impacts whether the engine kicks back. Got a question, not related to this subject. I see the Model A you are driving in this is a '30 or '31. Do they have noticeably more room than a comparable body style '28 or '29? Especially hip room and leg room. If you have a video that discusses this, if you can point me to it I sure would appreciate that. Trying to decide whether a '28/29 or a '30/31 would be better for me.

[@ModelA]

In some body styles, yes! Tina did a KZbin video about Model A body styles and the interior measurements. It's pretty good.

[@michaeledwards8051]

Great video as always. Out of curiosity, did Model A only have 1 engine, transmission and differential gear? To compare, my '77 F250 was available with 2 different transmissions, 4 engines, and I don't know how many differential gears.

[@ModelA]

I just answered on the other video.

[@michaeledwards8051]

@@ModelA Sorry to bother you. I thought it might've been overlooked. Thank you and I hope you win the vote

[@ModelA]

@@michaeledwards8051 Thanks! It was funny, I had literally just hit "reply" to send the answer on the other vid when this popped up.

[@bighatstephens]

But was the car in neutral and the parking brake on? Remember how I told you how my dad was nearly run down by his A? He left it in gear and the brake wasn't set.

[@ModelA]

Did you miss that part of the video?

[@bighatstephens]

@@ModelA You might have put the car in neutral and set the break before you got out of the car. But, (just so you know I didn't stop watching) your sequence after talking about how to use the handle and how it is impossible for a Model A to kick back if properly timed, was to have the car ignition turned off, cranking the engine over a few times while adjusting that clever choke system. Then you got back into the car, turned on the spark adjust lever all the way up, throttle down about 4 notches, and a 1/4 turn on the mixture knob. The last thing you did before leaving the cab was switch the key on. You came back to the front of the car and gave the crank one good pull and she fired up beautifully and did not lurch forward. Still, it was a great video, and very informative.

[@ModelA]

Oh, dang!!!! Just rewatched this and you're right. I may have left that clip on the cutting room floor, so to speak. Sorry about that.

[@josepaz3824]

See you next year at Ruidoso NM.Paul

[@scottsullivan1464]

Paul, when you did the hand crank, are you pulling the crack out as you pull up? What prevents the hand crank from just spinning along with the running engine?

[@allareasindex7984]

The part of the crank that goes into the front of the engine has two pins sticking out crosswise. The slots where it sticks in are sloped, like the stripes on a very short barber pole 💈. It acts as a one-way ratchet. When the engine starts the rotation “unscrews” the crank.

[@ModelA]

What that message above said!!

[@scottsullivan1464]

@@ModelA Thank you

[@danielhomant2832]

Yep, even my 31 Packard with automatic spark advance has a manual knob to retard the timing and able to hand crank. Electric start may have become commonplace, but batteries could still be pretty bad, heh.

[@orionwarren4244]

By golly, that WAS cool!

[@ModelA]

See??!!!!

[@smallgamesplays4958]

I have a question about the model A... I think I know the answer I'm going to get, but I want to check either way. Is it a bad idea to add a heater in a model A or a radio? I just want to know if it is bad practice or if it can be done in a "modernized" version.

[@ModelA]

There are a lot of Model As with heaters! I do not have one, and my only experience is removing them. Sorry, man. I'm not help. Maybe someone else here has some info?? Anyone??

[@smallgamesplays4958]

@@ModelA Hey it's ok! At least I know it isn't a bad practice and that if I wanted to I could do that to mine! (When I get one eventually... someday... once I get myself a good car first) Loved the video By the way! Helped me understand how to start it more safely. I do want your opinion though. Do you think it is a bad idea to drive one of these cars from one state to another?

[@ModelA]

@@smallgamesplays4958 Depends on the route. We do it all the time. Avoid those 80 MPH freeways and take back roads and see the beauty you miss on the Super Slabs

[@mi30modela-ok60]

Can you crank start the car even if your battery is fine? I want to try it out but don’t want to mess up the battery or generator.

[@ModelA]

Yes, of course! It won't hurt anything.

[@JesusIsMyFirst]

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SONG YOU PLAYED AFTER CRANKING IT OVER?

[@ModelA]

It's a big band arrangement inspired by "Sausalito Summernight" by Diesel. Performed by the Paul Shinn big band.

[@JesusIsMyFirst]

You have your own big band!?

[@ModelA]

@@JesusIsMyFirst Yes. I play drums

[@biondanishgenomeinstitute8193]

Would you know the right rpm of a 6V starter? my 12V starter hits the fly-teeth way too hard, even though it has 12V coils. Maybe I got 6V by mistake. I have not yet measured mine, but just for comparison .. btw, I must have less beef on my arms than you, because I could not pull the (cold) engine fast enough to start.

[@ModelA]

That's a really good question! I don't know the answer. If you listen to my cars starting up, that's about right. Faster than that is very hard on bendix and ring gears. The trick to crank starting a Model A motor is go to the gym for a month first! Or, do it on an engine with less than 85 PSI compression.

[@biondanishgenomeinstitute8193]

@@ModelA Well .. from images I can tell there are 9 or 10 teeth on the starter and 110-112 on the ring gear, someone writes. If the engine needs 100 rpm to start, then that means 1100-1200 rpm, or 20 per second. But that is under load, it may do much more before engaging if there is something wrong with the bendix. Actually it may not be the rpm so much, but rather how fast it spins up. I bought one of the enclosed ones, where the mechanism may be lighter ... but I will put the old one back and see if that helps. A month in the gym won't be enough for a 70 year old, maybe a year.

[@donalddesnoo5303]

Show me how to crank a 16 cylinder Cadillac which had a crank 😅❤

[@ModelA]

Start with a gym membership and a commitment...

[@donalddesnoo5303]

About bud merz .. buds model t ford ..dry Rock studios. Worth watching KZbin numerous videos an cars tractors

[@donalddesnoo5303]

Many early cranked stuff from a s. Son rives pickup rdstr Sunday drive I nova sotia

[@allareasindex7984]

You laugh, but the Cadillac V-16 had a low 5.3:1 compression ratio, and each cylinder displaced 1/16 of 452 cubic inches = 37 cubic inches. The four cylinder 201 cubic inch Model A displaces about 50 cubic inches per cylinder. So if we were cranking just one cylinder the V-16 would be easier. However, we have to add back in all the rest of that rotating and reciprocating mass. Probably best to have the gardener, cook, butler, and stable hands push the car while the chauffeur steers.

[@stephenbeecher7545]

I think the Model T came from the factory with that choke wire up front for easy starting.

[@loodusefilm7881]

I dont have Ford but i have old tractor that starts also with hand crank. I have to tell that there is no fun if its starts that well like yours.😂

[@ModelA]

Well, since it was 110 degrees when I filmed that, I'm glad it fired off easily.

[@56Spookdog]

I tried hand cranking my six cylinder it felt like it had to much compression it had me sweating, maybe it needs a good tune up by someone with better mechanical skills than me.

[@ModelA]

Maybe it's a fresh rebuild and is still kinda stiff?

[@dufung3980]

65mph 165 mile range 6:37(3,7, median 5) second video. I solved the puzzle the answer is 65, what do I win?

[@calsurflance5598]

I also have a crank on my 66 Land Rover. The trick is finding a gorilla that knows how to crank over an old truck! Lol🦍

[@deanjernstrom3760]

I second that vote. Definitely something to check out. Thanks Mr S.

[@bladerunner6282]

four cylinder engines don't have to fire to kick back. in fact, the ignition doesn't even have to be on in order for it to kick back. now, it may not kick back as powerfully if it doesn't fire but it will kick back. it's the compression that does it and has absolutely nothing to do with poor timing. in fact, timing CAN'T have anything to do with a kick back on an engine that hasn't fired. it has to do with a pull that compresses a cylinder but the pull that only has enough force to ALMOST reach TDC. the crank will switch direction and the piston will simply go back down the way it came up. think about it. an yes, it can be strong enough to break a finger or two.

[@ModelA]

Compression kick-back (without any ignition) on these low compression flathead motors is a non-factor.

[@thefixerofbrokenstuff]

If you did a spoof of the Bartles and James commercials .........

[@ModelA]

I thought it was Pepperidge Farms?

[@Sidewayz455]

I own a Ford, and people envy the size of my crank.

[@ModelA]

Haha! Well done

[@danesderelicts]

Don't make them too cool. They might start going up in value 😮

[@ModelA]

Too late.

[@danesderelicts]

@@ModelA thankfully not around here.

[@nateholden7598]

And people keep saying it won't start woth a dead battery. If it can't start with a dead battery then that entirely defeats the purpose of the crank. You crank the car when the battery is dead.

[@ModelA]

That's right!

[@nateholden7598]

Plus I think cranking the car would be fun lol.

[@joeracertx]

That was way too easy. Clearly you are running a cheater bottle of ether. Probably have it plumbed though the windshield wiper washer fluid lines. 😂 Just kidding, great video! Great run through.

[@ModelA]

Hahhaaa!! No, the hidden ether bottle is for the driver!

[@allentoyokawa9068]

No to chinese chargers, rather crank it by hand than use that

[@ModelA]

Agreed. But I had to give in so I could repair the battery from zero.

[@Flatheadworld]

Model A makes america great again, not politics 😂

[@ModelA]

That's a fact. That's why I only do cars, not politics. Although, people like to make up stuff and try to say I'm being political when I said this or that. Those people are just looking at my innocent fun and applying their bias to it. I'm not political.

[@Flatheadworld]

@@ModelA 100% agree

[@davidlyon1899]

Model A's Great Again, you could call it MAGA. Catchy.

[@ModelA]

Yes!!

[@hueyiroquois3839]

The ill-informed people talking about the engine kicking back (not that I know anyone like that) may be talking about diesels.

[@ModelA]

But they are on the Model A web forums.

[@thepolkster46]

The Model T when starting on the coils , could break your arm, the Model A didn't have enough compression to spontaneous combust on gasoline , but carb cleaner, either or starting fluid could get you a broken thumb.

[@SGTDuckButter]

How sweet it is

[@Lucky-ou4vz]

Let up Hua. Give me a headache