Third Hand Starts Hit-And-Miss Engines

2024 - Volume #48, Issue #3, Page #20

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With a couple of home-built devices, Jay Miller can start his McCormick M (or any other 3 or 6-hp.) hit-and-miss engine all by himself.
“The 1 1/2-hp. engines can be started with a crank,” Miller says. “But the 3 to 6-hp. engines often need two people, especially if they’re over 17!”
Like many hit-and-miss engine enthusiasts, he first built a “starter stick” that spins the flywheels for an easier start. Miller’s version includes a 12-volt starter motor, solenoid, battery cables and battery, rubber boat trailer roller, and a metal shaft. A video and instructions can be seen on his YouTube channel. Search for “Make a Starter Stick for Hit and Miss Engines.”
But Miller took it a step further and built a “Third Hand” that pushes the intake valve while turning the flywheels to get the engine spinning. He mounted it on a wood frame that can be adjusted to different heights to work on all engines.
“I made a mockup. It took a little figuring to get the motion,” Miller says. By pulling a parachute cord connected to it, the 3-bar linkage arm presses a shaft against the intake valve.
He used 1/4-in. by 1-in. aluminum for the arms and machined pivot bearings, spacers, a shaft, and shaft guides.
Make sure to keep the cord well away from the flywheels, Miller emphasizes, as you pull the cord to hold the intake valve while using the starter stick to spin the flywheels.
He includes detailed drawings and a video of his McCormick M starting on his YouTube channel. Search for “Us Old Guys Need a Third Hand to Start Big Hit and Miss Engines!”
Miller debuted the Third Hand at the Texas Early Day Tractor & Engine Show in Temple, Texas, last fall, and everyone was interested to see it work, Miller says.
Miller invites hit-and-miss collectors to check out his YouTube channel for other how-tos and a series following his McCormick M restoration process.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jay Miller, Crawford, Texas (jay@kk5im.com; YouTube: @Radiotexas).

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Third Hand Starts Hit-And-Miss Engines ENGINES With a couple of home-built devices Jay Miller can start his McCormick M or any other 3 or 6-hp hit-and-miss engine all by himself “The 1 1/2-hp engines can be started with a crank ” Miller says “But the 3 to 6-hp engines often need two people especially if they’re over 17!” Like many hit-and-miss engine enthusiasts he first built a “starter stick” that spins the flywheels for an easier start Miller’s version includes a 12-volt starter motor solenoid battery cables and battery rubber boat trailer roller and a metal shaft A video and instructions can be seen on his YouTube channel Search for “Make a Starter Stick for Hit and Miss Engines ” But Miller took it a step further and built a “Third Hand” that pushes the intake valve while turning the flywheels to get the engine spinning He mounted it on a wood frame that can be adjusted to different heights to work on all engines “I made a mockup It took a little figuring to get the motion ” Miller says By pulling a parachute cord connected to it the 3-bar linkage arm presses a shaft against the intake valve He used 1/4-in by 1-in aluminum for the arms and machined pivot bearings spacers a shaft and shaft guides Make sure to keep the cord well away from the flywheels Miller emphasizes as you pull the cord to hold the intake valve while using the starter stick to spin the flywheels He includes detailed drawings and a video of his McCormick M starting on his YouTube channel Search for “Us Old Guys Need a Third Hand to Start Big Hit and Miss Engines!” Miller debuted the Third Hand at the Texas Early Day Tractor & Engine Show in Temple Texas last fall and everyone was interested to see it work Miller says Miller invites hit-and-miss collectors to check out his YouTube channel for other how-tos and a series following his McCormick M restoration process Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jay Miller Crawford Texas jay@kk5im com; YouTube: @Radiotexas

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