It was cold this morning for Florida (27) I was putting in a fresh set of champion x's and a friend came over to see what I was up to. He chided me a little about it being too cold to start SaraJane (Sounds like a challenge to me) so I bet him coffee and doughnuts that not only would SaraJane start but she would do so by hand cranking,game on! So after I got the plugs in I richened the mixture 1/4 turn and gave her 3 priming pulls,seemed harder than normal but it was cold. I went to the drivers side turned the key to bat noticed I had left the spark lever advanced so I slapped it up. *Gomer Pyle* surprise, surprise, surprise a free start and then SaraJane started to leave without me, as I was running after her using my native language (SAILOR) I was able to grab the brake handle and stop her before she hit anything! Then I heard this strange cackling behind me, my wife and my friend laughing as hard as they could. Doughnuts and coffee were good though! Guess it is time to change to a lighter oil!
Or at least pull the hand brake on when starting!
I had to chase a MTd mower a couple weeks ago that some dingaling had took the foot safty switch loose from and it started quick and ran over my foot but I got it before it did any damage.
You won the challenge and made the T look good, that's all that matters. This reminds me of the only stone cold free start I ever had. The car actually came out of the garage right past me on it's own. I wasn't too worried as it was driving on grass and I knew it would stop in about ten seconds.
Can't help it. That was funny. I can imagine the look on your face!
I remember, back in the days of a misspent youth, we'd call that kind of winning "making your point the hard way."
You certainly earned your coffee and donuts!
LOL Free starts are fun.
If you had the brake on the free start might not have happened because there would have been more resistance to the motor turning over, but I'm not counting.
When I am hand cranking one of my Ts, I not only have the hand brake on as hard as I can but also PUT A CHOCK IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WHEEL !!!!
GR,
That story made my morning. Thank you for that chuckle!!
None of my gals have functioning e-brakes - not really a way to hook them up on the rear ends they're equipped with - so I have to hold with the brake pedal from up top. If I'm starting on hand crank and they're not jacked up, I "walk them around a little" - requires some space; they like to climb whatever size chock is placed in front of them.
Good idea to Chock the front wheel when cranking especially when cold. Unless you have a very good parking brake and the lever is all the way back, sometimes they will creep forward in neutral. This is not only a problem with a Model T, but some automatic transmission cars will creep in neutral if you don't have the brake on. Try it when you stop for a signal! (if nobody is in front of you)
Norm
I like to fell out of my chair when I read "SaraJane started to leave without me"
That was funny and made my day. Hope you enjoyed the donuts and glad no one got hurt.
To allDoughnut was GOOD! wife limits me to one says I need to get below 200lbs so I got the Crueller (tractor tire: what we called them as kids) with Chocolate and sprinkles!
From Floyd Clymer's "Henry's Wonderful Model T"
G.R.
I envy you because I am a diabetic and have NOT HAD A DONUT since January 1997
John
John that's tough, my father-in-law had the same problem but he made the best Pecan Pie and then insist that Peggy and I have a slice. I always felt weird when he would watch and he couldn't have any. He loved to bake and sometimes he would use our kitchen "So I have some place to leave it". He was a good man. I also see your personal quote is very similar to mine.....
My personal favourite as our 1911 has a worn out clutch and can be a handful on the first, cold start of the day!!!
Also from Floyd Clymer's "Henry's Wonderful Model T".
Oh, we can have donuts too now, "Krispy Kreme" opened up down the road about 3 months ago, the first store in Adelaide, or South Australia for that fact. $18 for a dozen donuts!!! They won't see me in there.
David C.,
That's the one I wanted to post, but couldn't find it! Found the "Help" one and figured, oh well, this'll do!
David (uh, which David?) Dewey