On my 25 I have not tried it yet and I do know the right way but if I am having problems with it firing using the starter should it fire Easier using the crank just asking before I wear myself out
Engines will often start better when hand cranked, if you have a 6 volt system, the starter takes a lot of the power form the battery and when hand starting, the coils get all the spark.
I seldom hand start my T any more, I removed the starter soon after I go the car, so I still have to use the crank out front, but I usually only prime the engine by hand, and when the car refuses to start when I turn on the ignition, I set the crank at the 2:00 to 3:00 position and slowly push down with my foot and usually a quarter turn and it is running.
Ronnie, if you are having trouble with it starting with the starter, barring that you don't have starter problems, cranking it by hand will gain you no advantage. When hand cranking, advance the spark 3 or 4 notches, this definitely helps.
On hand crank at normal temperatures, after choking it should start on the first pull. On electric start at normal temperatures it should start at the first rotation.
If it takes a lot of starter cranking to get it going, it will also take a lot of hand cranking. Several things can cause hard starting, and they apply whether you use the electric starter or the hand crank. Here's how it's supposed to start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCWnmPrxKo0&list=UUFVx528ORtpDgCPJXbFCA6w
AGB - When I think back about all of the past "heated" discussions we've had here on proper/improper cranking methods, I thinking that you may be starting WW3 with that one!
I should have added..IMHO
Warning!!! You only give extra advance when mag starting!!!!!! If your starting on battry fully retard the spark using crank or starter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bud.
John's spark advice applies on MAG. If you're starting on BAT, a T with the timing set properly should be fully retarded.
Sorry, my bad for not making that distinction.
LOL My 1919 only starts with the crank because I don't have a starter. I could push it but I like to be in front of things and I would have to be at the back to do that.
Most of the time I use the battery when starting except for the time I messed up the ground wire and used the Mag. I always fully retard (fully retarded fits me) when using the battery and usually get a free start by slightly moving the spark lever.
I remember that Ron Patterson told me to advance a couple notches when cranking on the Mag.
As I have said before - I love being cranky.
In our 1911 last weekend I did the whole event without the battery even being in the car, including starting the car from cold in the morning with a wheel jacked up. Advance the timing, a little throttle, and one good pull from the 9 o'clock. No problems all day.