Skywatcher wrote:Hi Again Creia
On some of these older engines, sometimes the only thing to do is to Tailor your pull to make the most of flywheel momentum. Pull the engine over slowly until you feel the piston go to TDC on the compression stroke. Now reset the starter cord and give a firm brisk pull. This will give you about 1¾ revolutions of the flywheel before the piston meets compression which is often enough to get a single cylinder engine started. Yes, you'll be pulling against a vacuum above the piston for the first ½ a revolution, but this equates to about 10 to13 psi (atmospheric pressure) against the underside of the piston which disappears as soon as the exhaust valve opens.
Non mechanically minded people seem to have a hard time grasping this concept. However, with your experience, I'm sure you'll understand the theory behind this technique. All the best,
Sky
I do all pull start that way since someone suggested it.