Informative… I bet most folks don't know about that, I didn't.

Thanks for the video. I own a 1973 Thing and have purchased the hand crank and proper crank nut to one day do this. Just have to find that rare crank tin is all.

Anyway, over on the Samba forums, someone posted a proper way to hand crank a VW. Just thought I would post those notes here. Not sure if that method is accurate or what you did is. I understand you can really tweak your thumb and arm if not done proper. One crank it looked like you started at the 3 o'clock position so. tj

Not sure if this is correct but… "Stand to the left of the crank, and outside of its arc, with it engaged in the 6 or 7 o'clock position so you have to pull up; never push down on the 3 o'clock side to crank the engine. Grasp the handle with fingers of right hand; don't wrap your thumb around the handle.
Give it a sharp pull to the 12 o'clock position. If it kicks back, it will simply pull out of your hand and not break any bones."

Hey TJ I appreciate the input. In practice yes I've had about equal start between 3 & 9 positions. I'll admit it's easier from the 3 as I can put more weight behind it (possibly leading to a better broken bone later?). I'll be careful and try for more from the 9 in the future. My cut tin is off eBay (they said for a bus) but it looked right, and I cut the keyway like the bumper myself. The hang up putting the crank in is actually the compartment seal hanging into he way as I snake the crank in.

Probably the engine needs to be in perfect tune for it to turn over in the 6 position. I know mine is not. hehehe. One day though. Have lots of fun with your Thing! You should check out the Thing forums over on the Samba. tj

Been fun for the past five years now, I'll try to keep at it. More fun is getting my daughter's (Thing also) kept up to speed since she just got it a month or two ago from Grandpa for her 16th birthday and it was sitting for a bit. She's been in it a few weeks and I'm learning again everything I forgot since I first got mine. That is to say, once I fixed it i was lucky and it stayed fixed. (;->)

is it supercharged

Nope. Bone stock. The tube going to the right from the carb leads to its oil bath air cleaner.

How does the handcrank disengage from the engine before it beats you to death? Do you just pull it away as the engine catches?

It's pretty simple german engineering really. The point where the crank is engaging is a rotary inclined plane with a sort-of-a hook to it. If the handle it turning faster than the engine, it's engaged, if the engine rotates faster than the handle the engine bolt forces the handle safely out of engagement, thus preventing the beating to death you mention. I really don't think being killed by the process is a worry though. Gotta love those Volkswagens.

can this be done with a vw beetle '64 1200cc engine?

oh man, i love vw air-cooled engines. They are so damn reliable and easy to repair. And actually so durable…

damn, i got a 1963 vw bug, dad has a 1973 karmann and a vw thing is on the way ;D

THOSE ENGINES ARE FOREVER!!!
(btw mom has a new beetle, cool but not that much)

orales yo no sabia que tambien se podia prender asi esta de lujo…

If anyone knows if it's possible to convert a normal for handcrancing, please mess me.

I gues I need a nut (one that does not break my arm when the engie start) for the pulley and a cranc.

Man that's Great… It would be nice to go back to simplier cars. To many "Accessories" on cars these days. Society needs a reality check. Good job.

How do you stop the car then?