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My sixteen year old son Alex hand cranks the 29 for the first time. Granted the engine is warmed. he does get to drive it as well. Just something fun to share with other Packardians.

BTW, Don't blink.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JmoAfKM-Po

Neat! Do you retard the spark a bit before cranking? I understand that it's an accepted practice to do so.

Wow - looks like around a quarter of a turn - very cool. Glad to see he is doing it properly also - if a Model T or A can break a wrist I am sure a Packard could as well!

Thanks for sharing!

On the T we retard all the way. Packard? Never has been a need to. Just a quarter turn pull up as observed. When she's cold, it's a different story. Somewhere around there I think I have a video up of a cold hand crank start.

Well, my 34 Eight does have a crank in the tool kit, but I sure hope I never need it. I think I'd rather hope that if the need arose, I'd be parked on a hill and jump-start it. But still, it is nice to know it can be done!!

Owen, this car is amazing to start on hand crank when warm. i was once in a competition against a model T. I could (1) run around the car twice and use electric start or (2) hand crank it and run once. I am lazy so I hand cranked it, ran once and and got in. The look on the T people was a Kodak moment if ever there was one.

Paul - I can almost see that! Many years back a regular feature of auto shows would be a cranking contest where folks would line up their cars, dicker with spark and throttle settings, and then retreat to a start line. At the bell, run like hell, start the car and drive to the finish line. Occasional women participants as well. It was a great event. And no compression starts allowed. I wonder how many on this forum know what a compression start is?

Compression starts? We have had some luck with those on the T.

Good technique except he should get in the habit of holding his thumb on the same side of the crank as his fingers, not wrapped around the crank. A backfire could break his thumb.

I know this is extremely unlikely but why take chances. Also the grizzled old timers will be impressed.