Howitzer Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 I've started a few things up by hand, an old perkins generator being the hardest. I like how it is pretty much a foolproof way of starting if you have the strength to get it moving. It also appeals to the caveman in me due to the simplicity of it. After our trip I think it will be a nice mini project. Dave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 IIRC my stage1 V8 CSW came with a starting handle You can see in front panel confirms it in this one for sale http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Landrover-stage-one-v8-/330669132004?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4cfd6a88e4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howitzer Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Mine has a similar hole I think, along with the one I presume was for the wiring for the winch it must have once had, it has a cut off switch behind the drivers door aswell. Dave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I presume early Range Rovers could be started with a handle as well - the front bumpers had a slot cut out and a hole in the valance behind which look like they were meant for a handle. Rather than risk breaking important bits of your body trying to crank over a cold diesel, why not come up with a project to make a hand-cranked charger using an old alternator. Or rig one up to an old exercise bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Quite fancy one on my V8! I spent most of one winter starting my 88" V8 with a handle when I was having starter trouble. Always started without any problem, as long as no-one has parked too close to enable you to get the handle through the bumper, I was assuming that if I were to go down that route I'd have to make my own dog.... maybe using the 4 bolt holes in the pulley to attach it? I wouldn't want to mess with the large bolt that attaches the pulley considering the torque used on it and what would happen if it came loose. Is the 'normal' starter dog just a special bolt then? Barry - far more fundamental issue for you I believe - YOUR WINCH will be in the way I presume early Range Rovers could be started with a handle as well - the front bumpers had a slot cut out and a hole in the valance behind which look like they were meant for a handle. Early Rangeys came with a handle stowed alongside the jack handles. There was a hole for the handle in the bumper, which I think may have remained until the front grille changed front vertical to horizontal slats 1985 ish?) Can be seen in this photo... Safe starting handle practices have probably been almost forgotten now. One important point I'll mention is to always pull up from the six-o-clock position. If you push down and the engine decides to kick back, you will end up with some degree of wrist injury. My V8 and my 2.25P used to start with just half a turn, that's to say a single up pull. I've never tried starting a diesel with a handle, but bear in mind that LR diesels are around three time the CR of their petrol counterparts. I thought the hole Howitzer is pointing to was for a mechanical winch's PTO drive shaft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 ..... Barry - far more fundamental issue for you I believe - YOUR WINCH will be in the way ..... Ah, I had thought of that Mickey If the centre of the crank pulley is actually low enough to pass under the radiator (and this is still an if atm) then there will be just enough space between the top of the winch and the bottom of the radiator to pass the crank handle. anyway .... I can dream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Being a mere youngling by some standard, when I got my Series III a couple of years ago I took great pleasure in starting it on the handle during the testing phases. The starter works very well, it's just far cooler to use the handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean f Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Safe starting handle practices have probably been almost forgotten now. One important point I'll mention is to always pull up from the six-o-clock position. If you push down and the engine decides to kick back, you will end up with some degree of wrist injury. In my case it was a dislocated shoulder!!. Definately learned that lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 http://www.old-bus-photos.co.uk/?cat=7 Ive started one of these by hand......Takes at least five people. One on the starting handle. Three on the rope, one on the front wing to throw the decompression levers. The one we had at work had the Gardner 5lw fitted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 My first car had a starting handle and got used regularly. Twas a Lada of 1976 vintage (ie a remade fiat 124). Got a few vintage tractors here with them too but would much prefer a starter motor given the choice. Always thought it would be a handy addition to an overland truck as you never know when you might get proper stranded with a flat battery and sometimes the simple solutions are the best.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Got a few vintage tractors here with them too A nice small handle can be found on the Field Marshall link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemoon Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 another alternative is this way, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcBE8HEAyi4&feature=fvsr or this one, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Like to see that work with an auto Correctly used (i.e. as above, pull up from the 6 O'clock position quickly, and keeping your thumbs out of the way) they are pretty safe in all honesty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 another alternative is this way, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcBE8HEAyi4&feature=fvsr or this one, Cheers... its little nuggets like that which could come in really useful one day.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Neat, obviously rear axle with a Series, low first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemoon Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I think I would just try Hi second gear, been meaning to have a go, get some practice for the real event, would be nice to suceec first time , especially if people were watching, then you would be the bees knees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diff Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 another alternative is this way, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcBE8HEAyi4&feature=fvsr or this one, I used to use Perkins diesels in my expedition Land Rovers in the early eighties. Some of my Algerian Saharan crossings were solo and unsupported. I didn't carry a spare starter or a spare battery, BUT I could always start it with a rope if necessary. It is a long time since I did it, and I never HAD to do it, but I seem to remember using high third or fourth. You certainly couldn't start one with a crank handle. I would be very suprised if it was possible to start a TDi on a starting handle. Petrol engine - yes, Diesel - I wouldn't try it without a decompression mechanism. I used to start big 3 and four cylinder diesels in 3 and 5 ton dumpers by hand, but they had individual decompression levers for each cylinder. Decompress all cylinders, wind the start handle and drop one compression lever. The engine would start on one cylinder, then you dropped the other levers one after the other and each cylinder would fire up in turn. Regards, Diff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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