GM> JB> I rode in a crank started one,  the driver turned on a vibrator spark
GM> JB> genertator before he turned the crank. arfter the engine was running
GM> JB> he turned over to magneto ignition.

GM>IIRC the early T-Ford had "trembler" ignition and four separate
GM>coils, one for each cylinder. These were powered by a set of
GM>coils that were energised by magnets rotating in the flywheel of
GM>the engine. You had to swing the crank pretty fast to get enough
GM>"hoot" out of the coils to start the tremblers working in the
GM>coils and fire the spark plugs.

GM> JB> I guess it might be possible to crank start one without the spark box
GM> JB> but I dunno how easy it'd be those engines were big.

GM>Over the years I have owned four vehicles with crank starters
GM>that I had to use at some time.
GM>And none of these had vibrators on the ignition. One was magneto
GM>ignition, the others were all Kettering coil ignition.

GM>The biggest engine was a 3.6 litre Diamond-T six cylinder engine.
GM>It wasn't all that hard if you cranked it carefully. But the
GM>three compressions per rev made it awkward.

GM>The toughest one was the 2.5 litre Riley. If you forgot to retard
GM>the spark it could literally bust your arm on the kick back. I
GM>had a few close shaves with that one!

That's why one NEVER grasped the crank handle with the thumb
on one side of the handle and the fingers on the other side!

It was standard procedure to grasp the crank handle with the
thumb AND fingers on only ONE SIDE OF THE CRANK HANDLE.

That way you didn't get a broken hand,arm or what not.

I was taught this by someone that really knew - he was born
in 1865 and all the earlier cars he drove had crank starting
- my Grandfather.

Jay
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