handcracking

Handcracking is a colloquial term used to describe the act of manually starting an internal combustion engine. This method was prevalent in early automobiles and was primarily used for engines that lacked an electric starter motor. The process involves a hand crank, a metal rod with a handle, inserted into a socket on the front of the engine. The user then rotates the crank vigorously. This rotation directly turns the engine's crankshaft, spinning the pistons and drawing fuel-air mixture into the cylinders. The user must time their crank rotation precisely with the ignition system to achieve combustion and get the engine running. If done incorrectly, the engine can backfire, causing the crank to violently spin backward, which can result in serious injury to the user. As engine technology advanced, electric starter motors became standard, making handcranking largely obsolete for passenger vehicles. However, it is still found on some small engines, such as those in lawnmowers, generators, and some antique or specialized vehicles. The technique requires physical strength and a degree of mechanical understanding to perform safely and effectively.