Matt Whiting wrote:
Jose wrote:
The crank has a ratchet and will
free wheel if the engine pops backwards.

How would that work? The engine going backwards against the crank
imparts the same (direction) force as the crank going forwards against
a recalcitrant engine. That would freewheel too, defeating the purpose.

Most hand cranks (I haven't seen a Model T lately, but on old tractors
and such) had a cam design such that the crank handle would turn the
crank shaft only in one direction. If the crank shaft tried to drive
the crank handle (as during a kick-back), it would spit the crank handle
forward and disengage it.

Oops, part of above is incorrect. The handle will disengage only if the
crank drives if forward as when the engine starts, not backwards!

Matt