Ross MacPherson wrote:
>
> At 09:01 AM 8/30/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
> >Thanks,Ross. When starting with the "handle" what is the propoer
> >proceedure? I don't want to have the handle kick back at me.
> >
> >Steve
> Glad you asked Steve. This is one of those LBC procedures that CAN get you
> hurt.
>
> It's easy to do if you take one simple precaution. Do NOT wrap your thumb
> around the starter handle. Grip the handle firmly with your right hand,
> squeezing the handle between your fingers and the pad of your thumb. Your
> thumb should be in kind of a hitch-hiking position pointing down the shaft
> of the handle towards the rad. This is very important because if the car
> was to misfire and your thumb was wrapped around the handle it would almost
> certainly dislocate your thumb or perhaps break it. I haven't done it myself
> but I saw a highschool friend loose the use of his right hand for weeks
> while starting his MGA. NOT a pretty picture.
>
> Just like when using the starter, make sure the hand brake is set, and the
> car is in neutral. Engage the starting handle and, with the ignition OFF
> turn the handle to get used to the feel so you know when you're on a
> compression stroke (it'll only engage the dogs on the crankshaft if you
> turn it the right way). It gets harder to turn as you approach TDC then, as
> you pass TDC and are on the exhaust stroke it'll spin on its own. When your
> sure you've got that mastered it's time to fire her up.
>
> Now the fun part. Turn on the ignition and wait till the float bowls fill.
> Pull out the choke to it's normal starting position. If you've got a slow
> running adjustment turn that out too (do TD's have those?) Grab the handle,
> (safely!) and turn it slowly till you feel compression start to build then
> spin the handle as fast as you can for about 1/2 turn. When the motor goes
> over TDC it'll either start or spin away from the cogs on the handle. If it
> doesn't catch, repeat.
>
> It's really easy once you get the hang of it and it always entertains
> onlookers. Just remember to turn the ignition on. It's very embarrassing
> to crank and crank and not get even a pop only to discover that you didn't
> have the ignition on. Been there, done that, got the right arm to prove it.
>
> Good luck!
>
> ___ \______ Ross MacPherson
> / __ \ __ / /------|) Surrey, BC CANADA
> / (___)---------/ (___)
> 1947 MG-TC 3528 1966 MGB-GT
|