"The Big Bang Theory" - revisited.

Last summer I purchased a 3 hp Cushman Cub. WITHOUT a crank. After making a replacement crank for an old corn sheller project, It occured that It would be possible to make a crank for the Cushman. I finished it last night,and decided to try it out before work (5 A.M) this morning. The homemade crank works fine. However, A big backfire caused the carburetor to blow off the engine to the floor. Oh ya. Now i remember the spark retarder. Happy motoring! Dave in Holt.

That's one of those things you only forget ONCE!!! About 3 years ago we were hand starting a newly rebuilt 30-60 Hart Parr after having belted it up to check the governor action and other mechanicals. The owner grabbed the flywheel and pulled it over and, naturally, the timing was in the advanced postion. It hit early, pulled the flywheel out of his hands, rolled back about a turn and a half, fired early again and took off in the right direction!!! It was a riot and we have it on video. Needless to say, we will NEVER again forget to retard the spark when starting!! Craig

Craig, I've often thought that starting those "Big" engines could be quite dangerous. I half expected you to tell how this fellow was injured. In a way, your story has a happy ending. Dave in Holt.

Oh lordy, I got a 16 hp. Jones all 130 lbs. of me is gonna have to learn to tramp start. May the force be with me !

Yup I've had the same thing happen to me with the 15-30 Rumely when forgeting to retard the spark. Makes one wonder how the internals and that big flywheel take it. I crank that one with my foot while standing on the rear wheel. I Do Not Recommend starting that one if you've been drinking....




My Old Engine Page

About the dangerous part: when a CRANK is involved it can be VERY dangerous. I just HATE cranks!! And the part about Ken "walking the flywheel": pretty easy to get tangled up in those spokes if you're not VERY careful. One thing to remember ANY time you need a leg to crank an engine--you only use the TOE to help--NOT the foot-- or you're liable to wind up in the next county----maybe in the next county's medical facility!!! Craig