The Model A Ford, built from 1928 to 1931, can be
started with either the electric starter or by hand
cranking. The hand cranking process is simple and will
start a Model A even when the battery voltage is
insufficient to start the car with the electric starter.
Safety
Set the parking brake by pulling it fully back.
Place the transmission in neutral, with the lever in the center position.
Required Tools
Hand crank
Preparation
Before starting the car:
Open the fuel petcock. It is located on the bottom of the fuel tank
on the passenger side. The petcock is open when the handle is
in the down position.
Adjust the Gas Adjusting Valve (GAV) to ½ turn open. The GAV is a
small knob protruding from the bottom of the fuel tank near the
center of the car. First, turn clockwise until fully closed, then
turn counterclockwise ½ turn to set the fuel flow for hand cranking.
The Model A Ford is equipped with a manual spark advance
lever and a hand throttle. Both controls are located on the
steering column, directly behind the steering wheel.
Retard the spark. Move the spark advance lever (the left lever) to
the fully retarded (all the way up) position.
Set the hand throttle. Move the hand throttle lever (the right lever)
down until the throttle pedal just begins to move (three or four clicks).
Hand Cranking
To start the car:
Insert the key into the ignition and turn it clockwise to
the ON position.
Exit the vehicle, leaving the driver’s side door open.
Insert the hand crank into the cranking hole located on the bottom
of the radiator shroud, with the crank handle toward the ground.
Gently rotate the crank clockwise until the latching pins grab the
starting shaft.
IMPORTANT: Do not wrap your hand around
the handle when cranking. If the engine kicks back the crank may
move suddenly in the reverse direction and cause injury.
Instead, align your thumb with your fingers on the same side of
the handle rather than gripping it with your thumb wrapped around
the handle.
Firmly and vigorously pull the crank clockwise to turn the engine over.
When the engine starts, remove the crank from the cranking hole.
Enter the car from the driver's side and return the hand throttle
to the closed position by moving the lever fully upward. Then adjust
spark advance as appropriate.
If the car does not start, reset the crank in the hole and try again.
Troubleshooting
If the car doesn’t start after three or four tries:
Check the fuel system. Ensure there is gas in the tank and that the fuel strainer is clean.
Check the electrical system. Verify that the coil and condenser have proper resistance.
Safety
Required Tools
