Starting handle

hello all
When I got my series 3 109 station wagon a couple of years ago, it came with a starting handle which I have never used but I'm tempted to have a go just for the hell of it. I have only ever tried starting a car with a handle once before 43 years ago when I was a teenager. The car was a moggie 1000 and the bloody thing nearly broke my wrist, it was a real effort. Does anyone have any tips on a good technique, obviously I know the ignition needs to be on. Mine is a petrol two and a quarter lump. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Col

Thanks Speckydude, your link was most informative. All I need now is some bravery. Or a flat battery

Col

I fell off my bike and broke my wrist. The doctor said that particular break used to be called a chauffeur's fracture because they used to be common amongst those using starting handles.
Hope that helps.

Er, not a lot

Make sure you have your thumbs beside the fingers - not around the handle - feel for the compression - about 6 o'clock if I remember correctly - then a sharp pull upwards. It won't work on a totally dead battery because you need enough life to generate a spark and the alternator won't do much without a bit of field current running through it.

I only use mine to turn the engine, with the plugs out, when setting the timing etc. Very useful. I sort of feel that if I don't use it it will disappear, like the post office and pub and all the other things we had in the 1950s.

Watch your back as they say. I tried it a few years ago and it was bloody hard to get it turning enough to get ignition.

Petrols set up right will cough into life easily enough on the handle. Diesels are another story.......

Bolt one of these to the bumper............................It'll give the neighbors a laugh.

It's bad enough using one of them to start the mower. I was thinking of fitting ice cream van chimes to it though to give it a bit more character.

Col

We had one on our boat to start the 3cyl Bukh diesel motor, the best method to start it using this device was to find a slightly ****ed or dumb member of the sailing crew who had macho personality issues.

PersonaLy I used the next notch on the starter key trick worked for me

divie said:

Petrols set up right will cough into life easily enough on the handle. Diesels are another story.......

Click to expand...

X1 that was when mine was a diesel.

And make sure it is out of gear,many moons ago nearly ran myself over when my petrol landy fired right up on the first swing when trying to start after found to have a flat battery.
I was saved by a mate who jumped in and stopped it. Was well lucky that day.
There is also the stand on the bumper and use your leg method.

And make sure it is out of gear,many moons ago nearly ran myself over when my petrol landy fired right up on the first swing when trying to start after found to have a flat battery.
I was saved by a mate who jumped in and stopped it. Was well lucky that day.
There is also the stand on the bumper and use your leg method.

tottot said:

And make sure it is out of gear,many moons ago nearly ran myself over when my petrol landy fired right up on the first swing when trying to start after found to have a flat battery.
I was saved by a mate who jumped in and stopped it. Was well lucky that day.
There is also the stand on the bumper and use your leg method.

Click to expand...

Crikey, no wonder they done away with starting handles, health and safety wouldn't allow them nowadays.
Col