1936 Terraplane crank hole cover
Comments
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My 37 Terraplane has a straight piece of chrome in that spot. But my question is has anybody ever used the crank to start a car?0
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I'm sure there was something there for a hole cover, Ironman. I had a 34 hole cover on mine for a while but I ended up making one I liked better.
Man, I can't imagine anyone actually using the old hand crank to start one of these things. Not even sure if it was possible (and grampa was a tough ole coot). I gotta believe the crank option was just more or less a sales feature for those ole guys who did'nt trust "them new fangled 'lectric starters"...0 -
The crank hole cover would probably have been similar to the 1937's: a straight piece of thin stainless steel similar in cross-section to the chrome trim that's above and below it on the grille. The 1937 one is, as I say, of a thinner metal, and bent so that it "snaps" around the vertical trim piece. Of course, they fall off or get lost over the years, so are rather hard to find. Keep looking!
As to crank-starting these cars, I've done it several times. Not hard; if the engine's in good shape (but the battery's a bit worn down) it just takes about a 1/4-spin and off she goes. A whole lot faster than fiddling around with jumper cables to another car, and a lot safer, too.
I've saved myself out on the road once or twice in this way, and also once or twice at the remote location where I store my car. It's also a great way to turn your engine over slowly (when working on it) without hitting the starter switch.
The crank handle (Z-shaped) doubles as a lug wrench, and there is an extension rod that fits onto it and reaches back to the vibration dampener on the engine. On your 4- and 2-door sedans you'll find the rod in the trunk, held by spring clips up between the trunk hinges.0 -
Cranking,--- this ole coot has cranked many an engine. DON"T TRY IT TILL YOU LEARN HOW !! You'll end up with a broken thumb or worse yet a broken arm !! Do not grab the handle like you would a hammer handle,keep your thumb in line with your forefinger. Crank useing a sharp,fast upward pull only so the cogs release when you come to top of pull, or if it should backfire it'll just yank the handle off the ends of you fingers which will give enough. Don't try to keep the engine continually turnig like the starter would, that could cause you MUCHO PAIN, Hand cranking lots of times creates backfire which causes reverse rotation , WHACKO-- ONE BUSTED THumb-- or if it backfires while your pushing down it'll drive your arm right up thru your shoulder0
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The 37 And 36 Crank Hole Covers Were Just Like The Pieces They Covered With About A 32nd Larger Diameter To Clip Over The Top And Bottom Pieces, Have Had Several Of Both Styles Over The Years, Bu No More On Hand, Bill Albright0
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The old coot knows whereof he speaks!
When I was growin up, nobody had a good batt'ry. You either parked them on a grade and started them by popin the clutch or ya cranked 'em.
We had a 30 Model A and a 35 Ford dump truck, both of which I have cranked into life many times.
My father had a 28 Packard which had been converted into a pickup, and got stuck on the mountain without a crank, and started it by jacking it up and twisting the back wheel in gear.0 -
denverslim wrote:I'm sure there was something there for a hole cover, Ironman. I had a 34 hole cover on mine for a while but I ended up making one I liked better.
Man, I can't imagine anyone actually using the old hand crank to start one of these things. Not even sure if it was possible (and grampa was a tough ole coot). I gotta believe the crank option was just more or less a sales feature for those ole guys who did'nt trust "them new fangled 'lectric starters"...
I've cranked a '36 H8 into life after sitting 40 years...........quite hard work actually but in this case a little easier as 3 of the exhaust valves were stuck open!! It was nice when it finally started after about 15 minutes though, something quite satisfying in getting an old motor going again. The stuck valves were fixed by taking out the plugs and using a drift to keep tapping down the valves while the engine was running also lots of CRC, worked a treat.0 -
Thanks to all,
Very usefull information, I work in metal and can make a stainless piece to clip on maybe with additional interior spring clips so it doesn't fall off.
I was curious about the crank hole cover and look at all the great stories that came out. I too had to crank a vehicle, a 1946 Dodge 2ton flatbed truck.
I used it so seldom the 6 volt battery was always close to dead.
It was a bit dangerous when it kicked back but I never got hurt and it usualy fired right up. ironman0 -
Here's what I used for a crankhole cover on my '36, Ironman. I found it a swapmeet--a piece of stainless trim somewhere off of a Terraplane. Fit pretty good. (Can't see the picture very good, but it says Hudson Terraplane)
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That is a boot emblem off a 1938 Terraplane, (shortened).0
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FYI
Recall the old(er) timers told me the trick was to always keep their thumb along side their fingers on crank handles so whenever it 'kicked back' it wouldnt break their thumb... The not so good old days..0 -
Resurrecting a really old thread...here's a picture on the crank hole cover from my 36 Hudson 8. In the second pic the top end with the ball bearing is to the left. The bottom is curved to allow for tilt in when replacing.0
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I have hand cranked my 37 Terraplane when stuck with a flat battery nothing to it really just make sure the thumb is posistioned alonside the fingers so it does not break if it kicks back.
Trevor0
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