Series 3 Where can I find instruction for building a crank?

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85Santana3

85Santana3

Active Member
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Location
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Hello everybody
I would like to build a hand crank (since I have not been able to find one). Are there any drawings or instructions for building it anywhere? I have searched but except for small photos on retailer site have not found anything. The photos are too small to figure out how the tip should be and what size.
Thanks in advance.
 
Looks easily enough to make, it’s likely the handle spins to save on blisters


944E3D17-BFCC-4835-B9F1-91D73F9F4364.png
 
Thanks everybody.
Trench Rat that would be very nice of you. The tricky part is the tip. If you could figure out the thickness of the part sticking out and how long it is, that would be great help and much appreciated.
 
Since you are in North America, try Rovah Farm. (rovahfarm.com, 501-562-0337). Ask for Trevor.

Look on bottom of page 4, series Land Rover engine section,

Item # 218508, $43.95 USD.

It’s where I got mine.

P
 
Thanks imortim1 but with shipping and possible duties it comes to a lot more than 34. If I have the dimensions it would not be difficult to build. But thanks anyways it is good to know that supplier I had never heard about him before. I looked under the truck and saw where it should fit in. I am surprised nobody has made a pull-string thing like lawn mowers for it. Probably because it is a lot heavier to turn. They say when there is a wheel there is a way.
 
Still might be cheaper than cost of materials, time and frustration.

I recall that you are in QC? Although currently based in MD, USA, I'm originally from MTL, now also based in the Laurentians, and so could always bring one with me next time I'm up and drop if off. Just a thought.

Mine's a diesel, but the hand crank is still extremely useful for turning the engine for jobs such as setting valve clearance, timing, etc. Also useful thing to keep in the dash in case anybody starts a ruckus!

Be careful when starting the engine with the crank that it doesent whip round and wack you in the arm. - I usually use my foot rather than the hand, kicking away from the crank. Often stand on the bumper to do it.
 
Thanks imortim1 it is very nice of you, however it does not cost me anything to build it and quite frankly I prefer to build it than buy it. (As world marches forward I try to go back in time - kicking and screaming - so building the crank would be a bonus fun)
I saw a couple of instruction videos online as how to start with a crank. I think if I make the mid section (perpendicular to the shaft) longer it would be easier to turn. I will try it.
 
Be wary of changing the proportions, "what goes around comes around" and you can get a nasty smack from the handle. Longer crank means faster handle. And never start in gear as you will run yourself over.
 
85Santana3 said:
(As world marches forward I try to go back in time)
Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly!

I always thought it would be useful if the diesel version of the engine could be fitted with decompression valves for hand starting! But I don’t know if the fly wheel has enough mass to make it practical. Could be fun though.

It’s always good fun to start the vehicle on the hand crank anyhow. When I used to borrow a mates petrol Landy, I used to do it regularly when out and about ( supermarket, bank, etc). Always garnered attention. Everyone watching probably used to think “ Poor sod, can’t afford a modern car with a starter motor!!”. But it as a neat trick and useful when the battery was flat!
 
Sorry for the delay. Been a busy guy, not sure how helpful these are but hopefully they will be
 

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I'm not sure its possible to hand start a diesel, they need the piston to come up onto compression fast otherwise the charge cools too much to ignite. Petrol of course have the spark to do this. What may work is to make something to use like a kick starter that you can jump on with your whole body weight, but you would have to be very very sure it unlatches if the engine fires or else you will have two broken legs. I quite like the idea of hand wound starters, very popular in parts of the world where batteries get stolen.
https://www.ipu.co.uk/products/spring-starters/
Just looked up, it takes 12 hand turns at 50 ftlb to store enough energy for one start. Shows what you are up against.
 
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Its not possible to hand start the LR 2.25d. Well, I can't anyhow. That was why I was musing that having decompression valves would be a bonus, so that you could crank it up without the compression, to build up rotational momentum, then throw the decomp valves and hope it fires. Like the old way of starting older diesel engines like those fitted to many tanks. Of course, if your glow plugs are not functional, you still would have a starting issue. (Trying to start the 2.25D without glow plugs even with a good battery and starter motor requires a lot of engine cranking and usually results in a very smokey startup). I guess you COULD get round that by using the old diesel starting technique of using smouldering cord to ignite the diesel fuel on a cold engine, but then we really are getting in to the realms of ridiculousness! Still, I've always thought that considering the series LR's pedigree of being a work vehicle, the ability to hand start the 2.25D, in the same way as the 2.25P would be useful. Idle thoughts!
 
Trench Rat thanks a million for the photos they will be very useful.
I had no idea it was harder to start a diesel engine with a crank, interesting. But guys you have other advantages that make up for it many times over.
For example: Biodiesel - You can fill up your tank with discarded french fry oil and go to the dealership, park next to brand new very expensive trucks of some very pretentious people and stink up the place :)
 
That spring start sure looks interesting!

Re bio diesel / blended diesel / cooking oil, yes it can be done. But it needs to be done properly to be reliable. The Fuel injector pump can easily get gummed up without proper operation (flushing with pure diesel). Those pumps fitted to LR series were not really designed for using biodiesel or cooking oils as fuels. It can be done, but I have seen some horribly gummed up pumps from people trying to do this - completely solid with gunk. I looked into doing it and it was just too much trouble.

As for offending pretentious people, I think just turning up in an elderly Series land rover will do that for some.....
 
Absolutly do not put veg oil in an engine with a DPA pump. It will kill the pump on the first cold day or if its been stood a week. DPA pumps are fuel lubricated with very fine clearnace on the rotating "hydraulic unit". This is about 1 1/2 dia and if it sticks (as it will) the quill shaft shears. The LR engine is very tolerant of veg oil as are old Perkins, but the only safe way is to convert to a pump with engine oil lube such as the Bosch.
I like the idea of a spring start as well as electic. My fear as we are a camper is that I run the starter battery down somewhere off the beaten track and we are stuck. So far we never seem to be far off the beaten track, in fact here in SE England we don't seem to be far from a 24 hr conveniece store even when we try. As an alternative I built a little genny that fits in the side locker, its a strimmer motor driving a motorbike alterntor, the idea is we could hand start that and charge enough to start. Never tried it in anger yet and its taken some experimention to get the reduction right on the drive, still have one more pulley to try.
 
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