Hand crank for a 230 Dodge engine.

[lonejacklarry]

It occurred to me that I ought to turn the engine over occasionally now that the rebuild it finished.  Could anyone tell me what the business end of the crank looks like so I would know what I'm looking for?  Or better yet anyone have an extra lying around for sale.   Thanks.

[lostviking]

Did they still have hand cranks when yours was made? Take a look at the crank bolt. If you can't see it because the radiator is in the way, then you wouldn't be able to put a hand crank on it either. On my newer stuff a big socket and a socket wrench.

[Brent B3B]

Looks like 3/4” round stock with a 5/16” pin almost 2” up from the tapered end

[Plymouthy Adams]

guess I never realized how deep behind the bumper the crank rod adapter fits.....I have no less than 9 maybe 10 of these for the LBC's...their crank end doubles as a lug nut tool on these puppies.....

[lonejacklarry]

I don't know about radiator clearance as the engine is sitting on a roll around dolly.  I did not notice any hex protrusion that would take a socket.  It does look like some fitting goes into the bolt type thing and it can only be turned clockwise.  I hope this makes some sense.  If not I can get a picture of it.  Thanks.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Both styles of front crank nuts..

[lostviking]

Cool.

[lonejacklarry]

Bret3B- yes, that looks like a tool that I need.

 

Dodgeb4ya-yep, the bottom picture shows what I need,

 

Are these commonly sold as a tool or did they come in the truck's tool kit?  At any rate this is what I need.  It would be easy to weld a bolt on the free end and crank it with a ratchet.  

 

Anyone have one of these for sale?

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by lonejacklarry

[Brent B3B]

2 hours ago, lonejacklarry said:

Anyone have one of these for sale?

 

If you don’t make your own, try DCM

https://dcmclassics.com/engine-parts/291-e-540-engine-crank-handle.html

 

[RobertKB]

Hand cranking to start, even the thought of it, scares the bejeebers outta me. I know the way you’re supposed to keep your thumb folded but I have heard too many horror stories of broken thumbs, arms, even legs. I know lots of people have done it hundreds, if not thousands of times, without injury. I’ve even done it a couple of times but I brought spare underwear just in case. ?

 

I know you just want to turn your engine over……..that I could do. 

Edited January 23, 2022 by RobertKB

[kencombs]

If you only want to turn in in storage, on a dolly there is no need for the crank.  Either nut type can be turned with a socket.  If you just want the crank, that is OK to, just not needed.

[Dodgeb4ya]

I too would not want to use a crank to start a engine ... too much of a pussy!

Don't need any damaged sprained thumbs or wrists.?

Edited January 23, 2022 by Dodgeb4ya
Spelling error

[lonejacklarry]

Thanks for the replies.  When I looked at the fitting on the end of the crank I never noticed it had a hex shape behind the crank slots.  I think I have a socket that big but, in not, I can make a short term crank fitting like was posted.

 

And, for those keeping score, I have no desire to hand crank start the engine either.  I've never tried it but I used to ride kick start motorcycles and I vividly remember how fast the kick pedal could come back up.  No desire to repeat that ever again.