Hand-Crank?

Steve Derus wrote:
A Rolls Royce P-I or P-II engine, if well- tuned and warmed up, will start without even spinning the engine, by switching on the ignition, moving the spark lever on the steering column upward to full advance, then QUICKLY moving the spark lever down to fully retarded. I guess just the arc or spark created is enough to do the trick. The displacement of a P-I six cylinder is over 460 c.i.

I have first hand knowledge that this is true, I have done it more than once on a '28 P-I Springfield Newmarket.

So, anyone ever tried that on a Duesey or other marque?

I've heard of that being done, on a Duesenberg. I've never done it personally, however.

This may be common knowledge but seems relevant to the topic.

A Rolls Royce P-I or P-II engine, if well- tuned and warmed up, will start without even spinning the engine, by switching on the ignition, moving the spark lever on the steering column upward to full advance, then QUICKLY moving the spark lever down to fully retarded. I guess just the arc or spark created is enough to do the trick. The displacement of a P-I six cylinder is over 460 c.i.

I have first hand knowledge that this is true, I have done it more than once on a '28 P-I Springfield Newmarket.

So, anyone ever tried that on a Duesey or other marque?

Its possible to hand crank a large displacement and arm breakage or shoulder displacement is also a possibility, but if you have a Duesenberg, You LET THE Chauffeur DO it!

To start a car with a hand crank, you need a hand crank, which will be with the tool kit. You may also need someone to put their foot on the accellerator, as well as fast reactions.
1 - Pull out choke / retard timing lever if it starts better when retarded.
2 - Depress accellerator pedal a couple of times to prime the engine
3 - Ensure that the HAND BRAKE IS ON!
4 - Make sure that the car's GEAR IS IN NEUTRAL!
5 - Switch on ignition
6 - Insert hand crank into the drive shaft of the engine.
7 - Cup the hand crank in your hand. Do not grip with your thumb. When the engine starts, you could break your thumb or other hand bones if you do as the handle can jump with quite a force.
8 - Crank the handle smartly. Be prepared to pull your hand away when the engine starts.
9 - Remove handle from engine. It will very likely have moved free of the hand drive shaft when it started
Sometimes you may need an extra helper to lightly squeeze the accelerator pedal just after the engine has started. Points 4 and 5 are VERY important. Fail to do these safety checks, and you could end up in the embarrassing position of being run over by your own car.

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My buddy has a Duesenberg handcrank. I'm not sure he's ever tried to actually crank an engine over with it.

The late Bill Bocock made himself a device to adjust the timing without using the prybar and having to be a contortionist. As I recall from photos there was a crank handle going into the hole; a chain ran around the chain handle and then around a hand crank mounted on posts above the level of the engine. You could turn the top crank while standing up, and it would turn the chain, turning the lower hand crank and moving the engine.

I have no idea what's happened to it since he passed away.

I am trying to remember what book or club member talked about this subject. In the owners companion book under (56) (valve timing)-states to--Rotate crankshaft with pry-bar through inspection plate hole against teeth of flywheel ring gear to obtain TDC. I'm sure that using the front crank hole is difficult because of the headlights-bumpers etc.

You never know, a big crank and even bigger biceps!

Lets see? 420 cubic inch engine,dual overhead cams,massive size crank, large timing chain, no I would not try to start this engine with the crank. It is for timing porposes.

I have noticed that on the front and bottom of the grill on the Duesenberg is a hole for what I presume is a place to insert a handle for a hand-crank. Has anyone here ever started the engine this way? How easy was it?!