VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Radios, Tools, Accessories 1918-1933 Starting Cranks

Click on the link below to view what I consider to be the correct starting cranks for the ca 1918 to early 1933 Chevrolets, except for 1928-30 passenger and sedan delivery. Because research is still ongoing and there are differences in each of the pictured cranks these may be correct and/or others of similar construction may also be correct. Caveat Emptor. Also note that the tape measure is lined up on the middle one and they all measure a nominal 18 1/2" overall length.

I only have these three so don't start lining up to purchase them yet. I am in process of getting cost of exact reproduction of one of them. Will need to decide which one before I pull the trigger on it though.

http://www.picturetrail.com/chevychip/1266999

Chevy Chip -

That's a big help in posting these. I was sitting on the sidelines throughout most of the recent discussions, but I also had a keen interest in the outcomes. It's a nice feeling to compare these to my own and know I've got the real McCoy.

Great photos Chipper Dipper. That should help out the guys a lot. Thanks!!!!!!

Thanks for the photos Chip!

At the end (where it turns) can you see the inside rod or is the end closed? :confused:

How is the turning part held on exactly? :confused: :confused:

What is the diameter of the crank? :confused:

Thanks again for the pics. :cool2:

The crank is 3/4" diameter steel with a 5/16" pin. The rotating sleeve is radiused on the end, neither totally open or closed. It is made from a rolled piece of sheet metal and has two dimples that hold it in place. The dimples fit into a slot machined (or stamped) into the shaft.

Great, thanks for the information.

Do you know what your plans are about the new 'old' cranks yet, Chip? :confused:

Not yet. It likely will be a couple of weeks before I get the information compiled.

CHIP, WHAT DOCUMENTATION ARE YOU USING FOR THE STARTING CRANKS FOR THE DIFFERENT YEARS? ALSO ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE 29 THRU 32 STARTING CRANKS HAD A HANDLE THAT YOU HELD ON ONE END THAT ROTATED SEPERATE FROM THE CRANK? THANKS :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

I remember cranks like these, but no car we had ever had one. Is it possible that chevrolet used various ones in the early 30's? mine is shorter and has no rotating ( and hand protecting) over sleeve, but does have a socket on the back end. It was in the car when dad bought it in 46 and is like one I saw in a friend's 31 back in the middle 50"s.

Chip,

Will that crank pass the bumper? It looks to long to me?

History Is made. Well the UPS truck just pulled up and low and behold I recieved a box from Ralph McEowen in Greenville Ohio with two starting cranks. One has the handle that turns on the crank shaft and the other one has NO SOCKET on one end.

Cool! But the correct crank has a handle on one end, a swivel socket on the other end and the whole thing is painted pink. Keep looking!! :( :( :( :eek: :eek: :eek:

Hey skipper, That sounds like the kind of starting crank that Mr Mack Is looking for. I think he has some funny looking cars and that pink paint color is what he needs. :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

It won't do him any good.......because Macky Wacky is color blind! :( :( :eek:

Actually Donald I wanted one that is Chartruese with a Lavender stripe 1/2 inch wide spirilling around it clockwise from the pin end...and with a chrome swiveling handle.

Hey Mackie Wacky, The junk yard dog has a whole bunch of those wild fandangle starting cranks like you described. I think he bought them from his model T buddies. The dog has about anything you need for your chevy, The problem is to get him to sell any of them. :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

Sell?? What does that mean?? :confused: :confused: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Guys,
I have done a bit more research on starting cranks and have changed my mind. The starting cranks for all years had sockets after all. NOT! But, I am becoming convinced that both the crank with the rotating handle and just a plain end were both used. I as well as Donald have some of each. It also appears that the crank partially pictured in the "Check and Double Check" film strip may not have the rotating handle end. The 20s parts books show the rotating handle end. Unfortunately the later parts books don't show the starting cranks.

Donnie,
Your problem now is which one do you display with the car? The judges might deduct for the extra ones if you display more than one! So you are not out of the woods yet.

Chipper Dipper: Did you have to tell Old Donald that? Now he is probably going to go crazy with worry! ha ha! :eek: :eek: :eek: :( :(

Sell? Buy? actually I was going to borrow one for a while to see If I need to buy it..........You can't be too careful now a days......

YIPES, I think I will SOLAR power my 32, This Is really getting confusing. Talking to Jim Farris at our club meeting last night and talking about all the different starting cranks, Jim says he is sure the rotating handle was on the early four cylinder cars and not later ones? Chip what are we going to do now? That is Jims opinion and who knows, I would hate to show up with fifteen starting cranks at judging time. I do like that rotating handle, It makes sense. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Chevy why don't you just park on top of a hill and then walk to where you need to go?
Is there enough sunshine to run a solar crank up there in the NW?

Hey Mackie Wacky, We have Texas sunshine here in the north west most of the time. The thing we do not have is those Texas tumble weeds, dust storms and those Texas Road apples. As the junkyard dog says, you and chipper need to come our way for some good northwest hospitality. The only thing is that If you stay at the dogs place you may have to sleep in the chicken coop. :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

Well I am sorry that you all don't have all the stuff we Texicans enjoy so very much,.......
It just makes us feel prouder and prouder!

(Road Apples?)

:arrow:

Don, when you sign up for a show get the name of the chief judge for the 32's, then ask him which crank he thinks is right.

Man, Old Donald is really going to get the judges confused. He now has three different hand cranks to judge with his car and four different batteries. When the judges run across that one, they will probably ban Old Donald from the judging field........forever! :eek: :eek: :( :( :(

Not only that junkyard dog, but I will have six different sets of tires and four different cans of gasoline. I want to find some original gas too. OH, what about some original 32 air for my tyres. I hope the judges dont check that. :) :) :) :)

Donald, I think you and JYD have plenty of air, it may need to be refregiated for a while to keep it from melting your inner-tubes!

What are you going to do about an original 1932 fire extingusher?

I've got one! I've got one!!! :eek: :eek:

Donald, make sure you have some 1932 coins under your seat and for tolls. :cool2: