Back in January there was quite a bit of discussion about a crank handle in a post by Alex Brown. I found the comments to be very interesting and was wondering if anybody can give me some information.....approximate year(s), etc.....on the crank pictured here. It is very similar to the one in Alex's post except that the hand piece is integral with the rest of the crank and not an attachment as shown in Alex's photo.

The Ford logo is stamped on the middle part of the handle.

Any information greatly appreciated.

Donny B.

Wow! How did that photo turn out so big? No wonder I could not attach the other one!

Donny B.

Than crank is correct. From the picture the thin metal 'sleeve' that normally spins on the end of the handle has rusted fast to the handle, making the crank appear to be without a handle.

The separate handle style cranks disappeared about 1919, when yours was made with the steel sleeve from 1922-1927

Thanks Dan! Just what I wanted to know.

Vern

I think you should look for another crank! Those late ones are easy to find, with a lot less wear.

Looks exactly like mine, (27).
You mean the handle is supposed to spin???

Dennis, yep. I had to heat mine up (not quite cherry red) and let it cool. Lots of rust came out while tapping it with a brass hammer. Then, oil it up good and you're good to go. Dave

Vern

Try heating it up, and then applying some plumbing solder paste and let the heat suck the paste in. It worked like a charm on my handle.

Andy

I had a crank with the sleeve missing, so I made one with a piece of electrical conduit.


The conduit was a loose fit, so I split a piece of smaller conduit as a spacer and put the new sleeve on over it.


It didn't turn very well, so I squirted in some cutting oil and turned it a lot until it would turn freely.


Good as new.

Steve, is that grinder OSHA approved?<grin> Dave

What grinder ?

OK, I give up. What keeps the handle on the shaft. Is it crimped into a groove on the shaft on the ends?
I've got a sweet running engine that starts almost instantly with the starter. Sure looks like hand crank starting it might be easier if the handle rotated free of the shaft.
I tried hand crank starting it ONCE when I first got the car, didn't quite have the spark retarded all the way, it "educated" me real quick! I'm happy to say, with no broken bones.

Forty years and I never knew the crank handle grip sleeve on my '26 coupe was supposed to spin. Thanks! Now I have a weekend project. Jim

On page 324 in Bruce's book there is a photo with a description of how the sleeve was installed, he also mentions that the sleeve often rusted onto the handle. The one piece crank was from 21 through the end.

Dennis, yes, it is crimped into grooves on the crank on each end of the sleeve. Dave