How to use a classic car's starting handle - ft the 1952 Ford Anglia

A starting handle has a number of uses, not just for starting a classic car's engine when the battery is almost flat. In this video, the 1952 Ford Anglia is used to demonstrate a couple of these uses, and then its 933cc four-cylinder engine steps in to demonstrate how to use a classic car's starting handle, taking care not to break my thumb or flatten myself once it fires up.
Starting handles (US = "crank handles") got me out of trouble on numerous occasions when I ran classic cars as a daily driver, especially in winter when batteries tend to reveal their weaknesses. Please let me know in the comments if this throwback video to pre-1970s motoring was of interest. I wonder which British-built car was the last to be equipped with a starting handle - Land Rover perhaps?
Anyway thanks for watching this "how to?" video, please take a look at some of the other classic car videos now on this channel - including more on this very original Ford Anglia E494A, driving old cars etc etc
Channel homepage:
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[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, thanks for watching this video about starting handles, they might not be glamorous but they're definitely very useful. Please see the other classic car vids now on the Old Classic Car channel: kzbin.info/door/KaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg

[@kylewaddington1983]

Anymore old car with cranking handles

[@replevideo6096]

Brings back memories. I had a Standard Vanguard and my workmate had a Sunbeam Talbot 90, both with dodgy batteries. When we left off from night shift on a cold winters night, we nearly always had to use our starting handles after the cars had stood all night in the very exposed company car park. We usually parked side by side, so it caused much amusement to other workers who had more modern cars, to see us in line cranking our engines over.

[@johndilloway9762]

People are surprised when they see that the 2cv has a handle, as it did right upto end of production 1990, the 2cv ones are even more useful as you can remove wheels and front wings with it as well, good video for anyone buying a classic car that has never used one.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@davidfrankton4139]

The multi functional 2cv starting handle certainly got me going on several occasions. It was always a good way of drawing a crowd watching the car being 'wound up'. I was always cautious that the handle wouldn't disengage from the dog and leave the engine running with the handle flying round. I always kept the end of the handle and the dog cleaned and greased to help prevent this. Thankfully I've still got all my fingers.

[@johndilloway9762]

@@davidfrankton4139 I set my valve clearance one day using a ratchet and socket on the crank shaft, put it all back together and started it to check for leaks, followed by an almighty bang, and saw the ratchet handle fly across the garden, luckily no damage done, but it certainly reminded me to take it out at the end of the job next time.

[@dennisrobinson7587]

I remember the days when occasionally I had to use the starting handle on my 1957 Wolsey 1500

[@nonsuchgreen]

Another interesting video, many years since I last used a starting handle, mainly on Morris Minors and Ford Popular 103Es, useful for adjusting the tappets on the rule of 9. I used one from time to time to move a car. Thank you for posting.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Surprisingly useful piece of equipment really. Thanks for watching

[@samspringer7726]

Oh yes! Those were the days. Pulling out the choke ( putting a clothes peg on it to stop it going back in) then turning on the ignition (making sure it's out of gear of course) and putting in the starting handle. Oh happy days!!!. Life seemed so much simpler back then. 😀

[@BrassLock]

I love the clothes peg adaptor !

[@gailphillip1792]

If the engine was cold you would HAVE to pull out the choke. This was not made clear in the video.

[@johnnymercer9074]

my dad used to start our ford pilot with a starting handle he showed me about the thumb one pull up and the old ford fired right up great vids keep them coming

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

How to move a vehicle slowly uphill in reverse on a soft surface using the starting handle....just watch the classic film Ice Cold in Alex!

[@manuelstarr3602]

Yeah, they certainly were handy. I see the float is working good now (no fuel leak). Cheers 🥂

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hopefully the float is ok now, but I will look out for one or two more replacements just in case I need them in future

[@AbdurrahmanWajah]

My first car.❤❤❤❤❤❤...

[@jagvette1]

glad to see you remembered the rule of thumb :)

[@hannodearing1366]

Brilliant! What a contrast to those Audi-drivers outside who spent thousands (of Euros!), only to run for the tram this morning because of a slight snow on top of their cars! 😎

[@wyb80]

Great video as usual 👍🏼 I usually start my 103 Pop with the handle just to take the strain off the battery.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Good idea!

[@michaeld7409]

I remember french cars like Peugeot 403 and even the 404 could be manually cranked as well. Love to see the Anglia running merrily, it has found it‘s right home 😍

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@petersmith4455]

hi, i used a starting handle to do the points and timing on my series 2a land rover back in the day, very useful bit of kit. also did the tappets by turning the engine over with the plugs out.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

What a coincidence! Yesterday, I set the valve clearances on my Austin A60 using the starting handle and it was so easy. They are a brilliant thing to have and I love putting it to use. Never thought about winding the car along though, great suggestion. 😊👍

[@davidluck4608]

My old Dad always told me how to use a starting handle safely with your thumb out of the way and my first 4 wheel car was a RILEY 1.5 which had a starting handle which was used effectively from time to time .........

[@d2factotum]

At university my flatmate had a Morris 1000 Traveller that still had a starting handle. The handle in question had two large lugs on it that engaged with the crankshaft. I remember one memorable occasion where we'd gone shopping and the battery was too flat to start the car on the motor, so he used the starting handle. Unfortunately, the handle slipped out of the grooves as he tried to crank it and one of those lugs ripped through the bottom of the radiator...cue a wait for the AA to get us home!

[@waynescott9218]

I remember the times I had to use the crank handle on my 57 Ford Pop in England and have it back fire and send the handle into my knee. I never thought of moving the car with it though.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching the vid and supporting the channel's output :)

[@glynluff2595]

Good to see the fog light on the correct side. For those not aware it was so mounted to pick up the kerb in a pea souper which at time of manufacture could result in a clippey walking in front of bus and shouting to the driver!

[@yekateradiffin5939]

They made a good anti mugging device

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I'll mention that in a sequel 😀

[@markfiges999]

@@oldclassiccarUK And for debt collecting.

[@MisterHampshire]

That even gets a mention in Carry on Cabby with Mrs Hawkins' fleet of - then new - Cortinas. It was something along the lines of 'then show them this. Aa starting handle is the best way of stopping something'.

[@yekateradiffin5939]

The good old days

[@skellertons113]

@@yekateradiffin5939 Yes, before road rage was a term, it was common for two drivers to get out of their cars brandishing their respective starting handles, ready for action .

[@deanosah]

My first car still had a starting handle when I started to drive in 1971. My Austin A40 was only 4 years old and if her battery was low a quick turn of the Starting hand and she fired up. I also remember winter of 62/63 The Big Freeze. My Father had an 1953 Humber Super Snipe which had been snow bound in the garage for 3 months and he had charged the battery up and she would not start on the battery so out came the starting handle and he gave the 4 litre engine a few turn and then switch on the ignition then a few more turn and she fired up and after she warmed up she slow came out of the Garage and down the drive. None the worse for the lay up.

[@johnmckenna8989]

...Super....You touch on things that are so familiar to me.....I went to look at a TR3A on a dark rainy night in 1970, the battery was too low so the seller used the hand crank. One 'flip' and it started...I said, "I'll buy it !" ....That was 52 years ago, and I have used that crank countless times from tune-ups to dirty battery terminals nullifying the starter to working on the fuel pump by setting the camshaft to release the diaphragm tension (then applying tension to pull it down while installing the top half)....In a TR3 the easiest way to remove/install the pump is to separate the halves....I even start the car with the hand crank when shopping, this draws a crowd and annoys the beejezzus out of my wife....I had a vintage airplane once, and hand propped it routinely...I'll be 75 in a few days, and always been a bit of a purist for old tech, haha.....My best to you, John (west coast,Can.) ..I learned to drive on an MGTD, Morris Minor and MGA twin cam, among others...

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Interesting stuff, another use I found the other day is for winding on a replacement fan belt onto the bottom pulley, when the pulley is close to the crossmember underneath it.

[@stevetaylor8698]

My jJawa motorcycle with a kick start is like re-running "Flight of the Phoenix" every day.

[@davidpettinger6350]

Never had to use starting handle on a car but it was a regular on our old grey Fergie tractor. That along with thawing the diesel out in the other 2 tractors when it had turned to glue. Oh and thawing all the waterpipes to the cattle troughs. Ah memories !

[@660einzylinder]

Personally, I like to pull the handle up to start them, pushing on it, as you did, can also be painful if the donkey kicks. Mind you, it is nice to see someone who can start a car with the handle properly, as opposed to the comedy winding it round and round style. Now to try a Fordson F, N, or E27N......

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching - there's a 5.4 straight six in the garage which, technically, I could try starting on the handle, but I won't be rushing to give it a whirl (literally) ...

[@AJ-qn6gd]

Starting handles are useful if you happen to reverse into an earth bank (easy when you have no reverse lights and heated rear window) and ram earth up the exhaust causing the engine to stall, just hope plod doesn’t see you or you may get breathalysed !

[@williamgardner2739]

On some car starting handles there is a socket on the end opposite the dog pin, which can be used to remove the wheel nuts. And on others it can be used to lift and lower the spare wheel carrier.

[@MisterHampshire]

I’ve always wanted to know. Clearly the handle is turning the engine, so - putting aside kickback and therefore the thumb positioning - when the engine fires, what stops the handle being spun by the engine?

[@oldclassiccarUK]

The shape of the fitting on the front of the crank is such that when the engine starts, it kicks the end of the handle out, disconnecting it from the engine

[@MisterHampshire]

@@oldclassiccarUK Ah ok, thank you. Clever design then? I remember, just, cars with the holes for the starting handle. I remember the new Range Rover - at that time in the early 70s - came with such a hole, but I guess that was more to do with good design for all eventualities than anything since there are no battery chargers in the middle of a rain forest, and it was designed as a go-anywhere car where anything could happen.

[@AbdurrahmanWajah]

Thank you.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤.....

[@MrDunky48]

My first car was a 54 Pop almost identical with the handle which got a lot of use. Regularly traveled from Frimley to Aldershot in it from 1965 to 68. It was 11 years old when I got it. King pins, track rod ends, clutch, and piston rings and valves got attention. Eventually the back axle failed and we parted company! Morris Minors were much better …..

[@oldclassiccarUK]

The old Pops were very much a pre-war car built in the 50s, thanks for watching!

[@MrDunky48]

@@oldclassiccarUK as you bounced down the road in the rear there was a tendency to slide down in the back seat! The heater on mine was a tube coming through from the engine bay, under the parcel shelf with an ineffective flap over it as a kind of off switch! The wipers with that vacuum system were pretty useless as they went fast when the car went slowly and slow when you got up a bit of speed

[@veloduocycles977]

My 1959 Triumph Herald 948cc (the sort with no rubber bumpers) had a starting handle dog on the end of the crank, but no starting handle. I am guessing it was because the engine was used in Standard 10 which was still in production at the time

[@oldclassiccarUK]

That's interesting, like you say perhaps shared stock between the Std 10/Pennant/Herald, thanks for watching

[@jonswinfield9336]

My dad had a series of Morris oxfords and Austin Cambridge’s and in the winter he started them often with the starting handle Occasionally the engine did kick back and he either hurt his back or thumb but I was too young to understand why I just remember if that didn’t work I’d have to get out and push 😊

[@colinmuddell9672]

Wish my old transverse engine Mini's and Allegro's had starting handles for turning the engine when adjusting the points, tappets, etc. Instead, it was put the car in gear and push it to and fro. Result - a strained back every 6,000 miles!!

[@johnnymercer9074]

this is a very interesting video I have a ford pilot that's been stood a long time I managed to free the engine but don't know if the clutch is stuck , i tried your trick with the starting handle putting the car in first and then reverse it moves forward and backwards on the handle does mean my clutch is free ? good news if it is i would be grateful if you could let me know thank you

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, if you put it in gear and the car moves when you turn the handle, try again with someone pressing the clutch and the car in gear, the car should no longer move

[@johnnymercer9074]

@@oldclassiccarUK hi and thank you for your quick response i will try tomorrow many thanks

[@ojjenkins7110]

I wondered what a starting handle is so now I know. I'm a yank we call it a crank :-)

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Ahh the differences between a common language eh!?! Thanks for watching OJ

[@MarkThornton1]

Used to be V handy for getting out of snowdrifts

[@slowpawstevet3676]

i used to use a starting handle on my first csr a morris minor mm, i was told to keep my thumb out of the way in case it kicked back!

[@nigelbarratt6825]

I remember we were horrified when cars were being produced without starting handles, how were you supposed to set points and tappets?! The notable one was the Mini in 1959, the engine was in sideways so the starting handle would have been behind the nearside wheel! I grew up in Leicester, that registration JAY was a Leicestershire county (AY) one. Who knows, I may have even seen it in the 1950s when I was a small boy.

[@davidcoleman6032]

I have a feeling that when manufacturers done away with the starting handle was the thin end of the wedge to the point that they didn't want to to do things on the car yourself, like DIY maintenance.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Quite possibly, then the switch to transverse engines over the decades didn't help the cause for starting handles either

[@neilforbes416]

Bit risky putting your hand in there(6:00), that *dog* might bite! Grrrrrrrrrufffffffff! LOL

[@AT-cc6yl]

0:36 Funny kind of car key 😂😂😂😂

[@skellertons113]

In the days before the term ,"Road Rage" was used, I remember opposing motorists getting out of their vehicles brandishing their starting handles at each other. Nowadays it is baseball bats, (does anyone in this this country actually play baseball?), and other weapons, no, I will stick to this civilised age of motoring and other things.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I'll have to remember that next time someone cuts me up, I usually have a handle close by. Thanks for watching.

[@thegrandpencil4374]

I own a Tesla, and it's staggering how far we've come from these days.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Things have certainly changed, although not always for the better, thanks for watching!!

[@Vince_uk]

👍

[@kylewaddington1983]

Different way to start a old car

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Sometimes it's useful to have an alternative to the usual method :)

[@kylewaddington1983]

How many old cars had crank handles ?

[@picnz1]

Its amazing that Ralph Nader didnt include these 4 wheeled wastes of space in his book Unsafe at ANY Speed

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Not sure my little Ford is a waste of space, but agreed it's not the safest car to ever grace our roads

[@Игорь-б8ц7з]

10 минут ,что-бы завести машину.