Locating the Starting Handle

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For the majority of Austin cars the starting handle assembly is shaped so that the handle should locate in the 9 o’clock position. Not only does this stop the handle swinging which causes wear in the aluminium nose cone but in many of the cars it actually seals the handle and nose cone assembly to prevent oil escaping from the front of the nose.

If the starting handle hangs in the 6 o’clock position, and/or swings idly in the breeze - it shouldn’t!

The cause of the problem is that the notches inside the engine end of the nose cone wear so that the handle will not stay in position. Some times this wear is accelerated by the lack of a decent spring to hold the handle in the disengaged position which then allows the handle to strike the starter dog on the crankshaft which throws the handle forwards away from the engine and hammers the aluminium nose cone.

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A nose cone belonging to a new member had extensive damage inside, where the locating notches should have been, due to an ‘unauthorised modification’ by a previous owner. Indeed there was little left of any notches at all.

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After some thought it was decided not to try and build up the area with ‘Lumiweld’, a form of soft solder for use on aluminium, but to manufacture a replacement part to be fixed inside the nose cone.

The old remains were bored out in the lathe and a new part, complete with notches was turned up from aluminium bar. This was then soldered in place with ‘Lumiweld’ and the nose cone was good as new.

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The handle should not only hang in the correct place but should also stay there under the roughest of conditions.

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We also took the opportunity to repair the broken and worn front end of the nose cone using ‘Lumiweld’ again, it is wonderful stuff when you get used to using it.

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This article, written by Malcolm Watts, originally appeared in CA7C Seven Focus in Mar 2005 pp20-21.