VA Hand Crank

gtooley · May 8, 2013

I need a Hand Crank to adjust the timing. Does
anyone know where I can get one, or another way to
set the timing?

I am just starting my Vintage Tractor journey. And
my tractor is a VAO-15 1956 model.
The previous owner said the tractor ran fine 2
years ago when he parked it in the back yard.
I have cleaned it up, put new oil and filter on
it, a new battery and I have tried to start it
with no success.
It turns over nicely but no spark. I have ordered
a dist kit and a coil. But in the process of
testing, I fear I have moved the timing in
tightening up the slop in the bracket that holds
the distributor.
To reset the timing I need to turn the engine over
by hand, but I do not have a hand crank.
Does anyone know where I can get one? Or is there
another way to do this?
Thanks for your help.

NickatKY · May 8, 2013

I sent you an email about a hand crank.
Make sure you are getting full voltage to the coil. I had a bad ignition switch trick me once when it was only letting about 3 volts through it on a 6 volt system.
Nick

actionpack · May 8, 2013

I found a good size tire iron and drilled a hole close to the end and put a peaice of round stock msybe a 1/4 of 3/8"s , make the length the size of the crank slot on the motor , I just use this to roll the engine to time , not for starting the engine , hope this helps

C. Amick · May 8, 2013

Does it have a side mounted belt pulley? Might be able to turn the engine by putting a socket and ratchet on the belt pulley nut.

NickatKY · May 8, 2013

(quoted from post at 02:23:58 05/09/13) Does it have a side mounted belt pulley? Might be able to turn the engine by putting a socket and ratchet on the belt pulley nut.

C Amick;
You got me to thinking, you could also use the pto shaft to turn it.
Or pull the starter and turn it with a prybar on the ring gear
Nick

gtooley · May 8, 2013

Thanks for the help and tips.

It doesn't have a side pulley, so that was a good idea but not for mine.

And yes I could make one up if I was more handy with a welder, sadly I am not.

I did consider removing the starter and seeing if a pry bar can easily reach the gears on the flywheel. This is a last option if I can't get anything else to work and I get desperate to see him running.

I got your email Nick, thanks. I had another person email that he might have an original one. He is just confirming the length with me to see if it is for the VA model. If he has one, it will be my pref to grab that. If not, then I will get back to you.

I am one of those guys that would like an original one to go with my restoration project

Christopher Mikesell · May 9, 2013

I simply used a large open-end wrench to set the timing on my 1953 VAC-14. I did so by turning the crankshaft using the pulley retaining nut on the front end of the crankshaft. First I used a large crescent wrench, but I later tried a large open-ended wrench.
I think that the size of the open ended wrench was 1 7/16" (I can check later). I happened to have the right size wrench to use on the 90 degree gear box on a gravely mower deck. It might be a good idea to order this wrench, since several of the large nuts on the late-series VACs use this size (including the nuts that retain the rear axels, and the nuts that hold the steering arms onto the steering shafts).

VA Hand Crank

gtooley

New User

NickatKY

Well-known Member

actionpack

Member

C. Amick

Well-known Member

NickatKY

Well-known Member

gtooley

New User

Christopher Mikesell

Member

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