Morris Minor Owners Club

I just found an original starting handle in an house clearance shop (25p). Is there a technique for using one - everyone tells me of kick backs - broken wrists and worse. Are they such an H&S nightmare?

no ,well almost no

watch your thumb,search this site lots of posts

Its your thumb you need to worry about, never heard of any broken wrists. You need to keep your thumb on the right side of the handle, if you don't and it 'kicks back' Mr thumb will be throbbing and wanting to spend 12 hours of your life at A & E.

So - what they ^^^^^ mean is - grip the handle ONLY with the palm of your hand - DO NOT wrap your thumb around it. Turn the engine gently until the handle is just past the bottom of the circle (ie at 7 o'clock) - and then snatch it upwards to start the engine.

Thanks for that
Is it bad form just to start the engine using the crank handle in public places just for the hell of it?

I got egg on my face when mine I tried, then i realised it was still in reverse . I can't seem to start mine on the handle, but lost interest after this embarassment

Minors are very easy to start on the handle. I ran mine for months with a weak dynamo and had to use the handle most days..

As BMC said, thumb and palm on the same side so if the engine kicks back your thumb will survive, ease it round to the bottom then yank it up. I usually turn the engine over a few times with the ignition off first.

Starting handles are very useful when setting the points and tappets too!

A 1275 may be a struggle to start on the handle, I must admit that I have never tried mine, but the smaller engines should be no problem. Practice out of sight until you have the confidence to use it in public. I prefer to turn the handle over to 4 o'clock and push down but that may be because I am left handed.
I once had to crank start a 27KVA generator which was hard work

I have seen the handle being turned just onto a compression stroke then given a good shove down with a foot. Saves thumbs I suppose but never tried it myself.

I've just got my first minor and I've been enjoying demonstrating the handle start to family and friends. It starts really easily when I've got the ignition on but I suppose that's cheating?

You're supposed to have the ign. on - how would you ever start it otherwise?

Starting on the pull works best for me. Ignition off, choke fully open - 3 turns on the handle, then set the choke to about 1/4", ignition on, and it never failed to start first pull when cold. This was with my previous 1098cc car. When hot it was a pig to start on the handle however.

JOWETTJAVELIN wrote:You're supposed to have the ign. on - how would you ever start it otherwise?

I thought that myself! But with the ignition on the fuel pump is glugging away, the dash lights are on etc etc - surely it would be harder to start if I was using the handle because the battery was completely flat? Or not?

(I'm sure I've asked a very daft question here of course.)

YOU CAN NOT start without the ignition ON

Ok, I'll go and read up on what exactly "having the ignition on" means.

Starting handle will not work if you do not have ignition on, the same principle as bump starting, there needs to be power to the petrol pump, dizzy etc. Starting handle used if starter motor died or not enough power in battery to turn it over, no good if battery is completely fried.

Thanks, that's answered my question.

Diolch yn fawr!