AUSTIN SEVEN STARTING HANDLES

 A  LOT of trouble has been caused to Austin Seven cars fitted with coil ignition owing to the fact that many owners will not replace the starting handle in to its correct horizontal position after starting up.

When the handle is in the correct position, a flange on the starting handle shaft makes a joint with a leather washer against the inside face of the starting handle bush.

 When the handle is hanging down the small set screw at the end of the shaft does not fit into the recess in the timing case cover, with the result that the joint is not sealed, and wet and damp work in.

 This, in addition to rusting up the starting handle shaft, works through the oil hole in the starting handle shalt bearing, and reaches the timing wheels and bearings, setting up rust formation. Dealers should pass this information on to their clients who, no doubt, appreciate any helpful tips that are given them. In this way more cordial relations are established between the Dealer and the client, to the advantage of each.

This is an article published by Austin to explain to owners the correct position for the handle, it also relates to later cars like the Box RN and RP. 90 years on and with the handle swinging freely has resulted in a number of nose cones having the pin in the shaft wear out the aluminum to hold the handle in place. Resulting in the handle at 6 o'clock and not in the correct position of 9 o'clock.
Both the Bristol and the Cornwall A7 Club have articles on how you can repair the cone by cutting a new locator for the pin in the nose cone, but you will probably need a lathe. Or you could hold in place with a piece of elastic or leather.
When I rebuilt our Ruby based A7 special with a shortened nose cone, I used a Ruby nose cone (with a broken end which was then cut off), but had a reasonable locator for the handle. In order to stop the handle swinging, I used the Ruby handle spring shortened to enable me to increase the pressure to hold the handle in place. So if you have a handle that holds at 9 o'clock but won’t stay there, try using a Ruby spring and cut to size.
Early coil engine starting handle spring: 4"
Late coil engine starting handle spring: 6"
Ruby engine starting handle spring: 15"

Thanks to A7C for spring lengths.
Douglas Alderson DA7C