MD7a Hand Crank

[ECS-IB30]

I have a 1980s vintage Volvo MD7a in my Islander Bahama 30 - it has a gear box for a hand crank to start the engine without the use of a battery - has anyone out there seen one of these cranks handles or could provide a picture of what it looks like -

Thanks
Eric

[chucklesR]

and a picture of the gorilla who cranks it

[chef2sail]

I used to have a hand crank as an emergency star for my old Islander 28 with an atomic 4. I had to use it once because I had run down the small amount of batteries I had inadvertantly. When the ngine started the cranks lever almost broke my wrist and fingers, Be careful..

Dave

[jameswilson29]

Marine supply stores sell several different sizes of standard/universal crank handles.

[ECS-IB30]

So far, I've looked at about every marine store online I could find - ebay, craigslist, etc - still nothing...was hoping someone had one or a picture so I could fabricate one.....

Thanks
Eric

[jameswilson29]

West Marine sells them - they are yellow, they hang them in the engine aisle.

[Jeff_H]

I have hand cranked a Volvo 2 cyl. before. It is surprisingly easy especially if you have two people (one top crank and the other to operate the compression release. Before cranking, you release the compression relief, the one person cranks the engine up to speed, then as that person backs out the handle, the other person flops down the compression release.

As to safety, before you crank check to make sure the handle backs out properly. The way these handles are designed, the handle engages by screwing in half a turn so that when the engine starts the handle disengages. This should work effortlessly. If there is any doubt that the handle is going on and off easily do not try to do this.

Also, if the engine is hard to start, after a try or two, you need to close the cooling water intake so you don't fill the cylinders with water while you are cranking. Then you need to open the intake quickly once the engine starts. Because the problem of filling the cylinders varies with the engine and installation, some people close the intake before any hand-crank attempt.

Jeff

[SchockT]

I have one on my boat. I can't say that I have ever tried to use it! I will try to get down to the boat this weekend and grab it and take some pics.

[adki110]

I had an MD7A on my 1979 S2 9.2C. Jeff H. accuratly described the use of the crank. On my boat the cranking shaft was about four feet long, the crank end had about a 14 inch lever with a handle. Think of a wind up sissors jack. And yes it does work. Practice at the dock first.

[deniseO30]

get drunked up like these two LOL