The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I was brought up with starting handles; starting by father's 1949 Morris 8 Series E, using the starting handle, during the early-to-mid-1960s, when I was still wearing short trousers at primary school in Dundee.

Any vehicle used in remote parts of the world, where traffic density is less than a few cars per day, should be equipped with an engine starting handle.

I cant see that as in any way possible now that most cars have transverse engines....

I think improvements in car charging technology, batteries and starter motors have made them irrelevant.
I also cant see it being possible to crank start a turbo diesel engine transverse or not....

Jonners

Jon Tilson wrote:I can't see that as in any way possible now that most cars have transverse engines....

I think improvements in car charging technology, batteries and starter motors have made them irrelevant.

I also can't see it being possible to crank start a turbo diesel engine transverse or not....

Jonners

There was the possibility of starting the Austin-Morris Mini (transverse engine) using a starting handle, but one first needed to turn the steering on full lock.

I get the impression that modern cars are more prone to sudden battery failure than classic cars.

It is only engine displacement and compression ratio, which potentially makes manual starting more difficult; the turbo-charger being irrelevant at engine-cranking speeds.