TC starting handle

[Steve Cash]

Hello Folks,
I had a TD many years ago in my youth (when prices were a bit cheaper!) but now I've just acquired a TC so this is my first post. Recently tried to turn the engine over with the starting handle and found that the crank rubs against the number plate on the downward stroke. The plate is fixed in the usual position so I'm wondering if I have the correct starting handle or, as the car has a Wolseley XPAW engine, is there some slight difference in dimensions in this area. The handle measures 17.5 inches from the crank to the engagement tip, so perhaps another TC owner can tell me if that is correct?
Thanks,
Steve.

[SavannahDog]

I'd guess it that Wolseley XPAW engine.

[stephen stierman]

I don't know what engine or crank you have, but....it could be the engine mounts are a bit compressed or some other issue with the alignment of the engine. Had a similar problem with mine, found upon disassembly that the front engine plate was bent, off side frame rail was pushed in slightly from a side impact and that the rear trans mount had been re welded. Once I straightened all this out things line up much better!

[jddevel]

Have measured my TC handle and it measures 485mm or just over 19 inches overall so I suspect you may have the wrong handle.

[Duncan M]

No TC crank handle should be under 24"

[Steve Cash]

Hi Chaps, many thanks for replies and info - looks like I may have the wrong handle!
Steve.

[jddevel]

Interesting. 24" means mine must be wrong as well.

[Mike Marini]

Steve,
If you are interested in a longer starting handle, I believe I have one in my spares to sell. Contact me at: mmsheb3 'at' gmail.com if you wish to follow up.
Thanks,
Mike

[Steve Cash]

Hi Chaps,
It appears that 19 inches is the correct length so I need to stretch it or weld in a 1.5 inch extension! Many thanks, Mike for your offer but postage to the UK would be quite expensive!
Steve.

[Gene Gillam]

The XPAW engine is basically the same engine as the XPAG so dimensionally they’re the same.

[Steve Simmons]

I believe the correct TC crank is around 27" long overall, and about 22" from the engagement tip to where the bend starts. The diameter is 3/4" with a 5/8" tip where it engages the dog bolt. Early handles were reportedly shorter by about 3" and EXU cars (or home market car with bumpers) require a handle that is an inch or two longer.

[jddevel]

With so much of my "car find" original I`m wondering why mine was changed. I would add that as the TC was produced in the immediate aftermath of the war I`m sure many parts/accessories were used/acquired on the basis of what was available. We`d virtually run out of iron railings and stairs to melt for war manufacture.

[Steve Simmons]

After so many decades, anything is possible. Perhaps the original was lost? They certainly did do whatever it took to keep the line moving, but even if they changed out the model of crank handle, I can't imagine they would supply one that wouldn't fit properly. It sounds like yours is far too short so it was probably put in the car as a later date.

[Duncan M]

The TC EXU's (front and rear bumpers) had the longest at near 29" total. FromTheFrameUp in tech tips for "tools" says the shortest 24" total was used in early cars. The intermediate 27" length Steve mentions must be the most common.

[Steve Cash]

Many thanks again for the further info on this subject - the reply concerning post-war material shortages (and quality) certainly affected quite a bit of British industry and well into the 1950s too.
Steve.