The Ford T manual says to have the spark lever fully retarded when using the electric starter. Most if not all T owners also fully retard the spark lever when starting the car with the ignition set to battery. The manual also says to have the spark lever advanced 3 or 4 notches when starting on the magneto. That varies with each car depending on how well the timing is set and slop in the timer rod/arm.
Both our 11 and 15 T's start well on the magneto, and certainly start easier with the timer advanced some as the manual says. If the car is being started with the ignition set to the magneto, is it still possible to get a kickback? The manual says it can, but I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced that. You need to get the engine spinning a bit more in the correct direction to get the magneto to generate enough voltage, compared to being set on battery where it can free start if things are in the right spot. I would think with more momentum going in the correct direction, then the less likely that a kickback would occur.
Can a T engine kickback when starting on magneto?
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
NealW
Topic author - Posts: 481
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:20 pm
- First Name: Neal
- Last Name: Willford
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1929 Model A Tudor
- Location: Kansas
- Contact:
Can a T engine kickback when starting on magneto?
Last edited by NealW on Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.
-
Scott_Conger
- Posts: 6523
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
- Location: not near anywhere, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Can a T engine kickback when starting on magneto?
Two things would have to happen: the spark lever would have to be massively over advanced to the next node, and the person cranking would have to be near super-human to have the engine spinning fast enough INTO COMPRESSION for it to happen...perhaps if the person was very strong and they were windmilling the thing.
Folks don't often appreciate (or likely think about) the acceleration increase (in cranking speed) that the engine itself provides you when reaching ATDC and the compressed air is free to aid your effort.
It is a rare enough occurrence that I have never heard of it happening in the real world.
Folks don't often appreciate (or likely think about) the acceleration increase (in cranking speed) that the engine itself provides you when reaching ATDC and the compressed air is free to aid your effort.
It is a rare enough occurrence that I have never heard of it happening in the real world.
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
-
TXGOAT2
- Posts: 7391
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Can a T engine kickback when starting on magneto?
I cautiously advance the timing about 1/4 + way down when hand-cranking on magneto. No problems so far.
-
Rob
- Posts: 1534
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:53 pm
- First Name: Rob
- Last Name: Heyen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Models B, F, K, N, Ford racer and 3 Model T
- Location: Eastern Nebraska
Re: Can a T engine kickback when starting on magneto?
When I start the K on mag, I have to advance the spark a little more. I can feel it resist a bit while pulling into compression, and I suspect the spark is weak enough it takes a bit more advance to “push” the motor to start. I’ve noticed the same thing with T’s, although the kickback isn’t as ferocious (but still can break bones, as we’ve all heard about).