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THE CAR AND ITS OPERATION 5
"advances the spark," and it should be moved down notch by notch until
the motor seems to reach its maximum speed. If the lever is advanced beyond this
point a dull knock will be noticed in the engine. (See chapter on Ignition.)
Where should these levers be when
starting the Engine? Answer No. 5
On cars not equipped with a starter, the spark lever should usually be put in
about the third or fourth notch on the quadrant (the notched half-circle on which
the levers operate). The throttle should usually be placed in about the fifth
or sixth notch. A little experience will soon teach you where these levers should
be placed for proper starting. Care should be taken not to advance the spark
lever too far, as the engine may "back kick."
On cars equipped with starter, the spark lever should be fully retarded (all
the way up).
What else is necessary before
starting the Engine? Answer No. 6
First: See that the hand lever, which extends through the floor of the car
at the left of the driver, is pulled back as far as it will go. The lever in
this position holds the clutch in neutral and engages the hub brake, thus preventing
the car moving forward when the engine is started. Second: On cars without
starters, insert the switch key into the switch and turn the key as far to
the left (counter-clockwise) as it will go. On cars equipped with starters
the switch key may be turned either to the right or left. The engine cannot
be started until the switch is turned on the turning of the switch key to a
vertical position stops the engine.
How is the Engine
started? Answer No. 7
If the car is not equipped with a starter the engine is started by the lifting
of the starting crank at the front of the car. Take hold of the handle and
push firmly toward the car till you feel the crank ratchet engage, then lift
upward with a quick swing. With a little experience this operation will become
an easy matter. Don't, as a usual thing, crank downward against compression
for then an early explosion may drive the handle vigorously backward. This
does not mean however, that it is not advisable, when the car is hard to start,
to occasionally "spin" the
engine by the use of the starting handle but be sure the spark lever is retarded
when spinning or cranking the engine against compression, otherwise a sudden
backfire may injure the arm of the operator. When the engine is cool it is advisable
to prime the carburetor by pulling on the small wire at the lower left corner
of the radiator while giving the engine two or three quarter turns with the starting
handle. If the car is equipped with a starter the throttle lever should be placed
in the same position on the quadrant as when cranking by hand, and the spark.
lever should be fully retarded.
The ignition switch may then be turned on. Current
from either battery or magneto may be used for ignition. How-ever, we recommend
that the magneto be used at all times. The magneto was designed to furnish
ignition for the Model T engine and better results will be obtained by operating
in this way. Special attention must be paid to the position of the spark lever,
as a too advanced spark will cause serious backfiring which in turn will bend
or break the shaft in the starter. The starting motor is operated by a push
button, conveniently located in the floor of the car at the driver's feet.
With the spark and throttle levers in the proper position, and the ignition
switch turned on, press on the push button with the foot. This closes the circuit
between the battery and starting motor, causing the pinion of the Bendix drive
shaft to engage with the teeth on the flywheel, thus turning over the crankshaft.
When the engine is cold it may be necessary to prime it by pulling out the
carburetor priming rod, which is located on the instrument board. In order
to avoid flooding the engine with an over rich mixture of gas, the priming
rod should only be held out for a few seconds at a time.