[SEL] From a newsgroup: ...cranking

[John Hall]

Speaking from a tractor collectors perspective, you get used to "properly" a 
crank. Even still I get nervous.

I had an IHC LB with the radiator setup (came off a hay blaer) The only way 
to crank it was with the crank. It had a ton of compression. I made the 
mistake of leaning back while turning and caused the crank to slip out. 
Busted my glasses and took 10 stitches to sew my lip up. I still remember 
the distinct sound of the crank connecting with my cheek-bone. Bottom line, 
it way my fault.

I talked to a guy recently who had an old tractor to throw him behind it 
when it backfired. Its not your normal tractor set-up with the crank in the 
front. It was on a Titan with the engine mounted crossways and the crank is 
about 4 foot in the air. So far I have been able to crank my Titan by 
pulling on the flywheel. Takes all the strength I can muster but....

Personal opinion, I think cranks are dangerous. Use them if you have to but 
make sure your enigne timing and so forth is as close to perfect as you can 
get it. And don't get in a hurry and forget to something  important such as 
retard the timing. Greasy hands are another not to intelligent idea.

John Hall