Starting an old SA200 Welding Machine

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I am having a bit of a hard time with starting this old SA200 welding machine that I have. It is according to code no. a 1947 model. Hand crank only. 4 cly liquid cooled engine. F 163, I think. I have been told that there is a way to make to turn the generator into a motor and turn the engine over that way for a brief time to get the engine to start. I do have an 480v 3 hp MK 250 DC motor generator in the shop that I can use to supply the DC current needed to do it. I am just not sure how to go about it. Settings on both machines and etc.Thanks in Advance.
Reply:You were told how to do it over on the AWS board, so why did you ask here?The question is more WHY the machine isn't starting than can you get away with cranking it over using the generator as a starting motor.I sure as hell wouldn't do it with my SA 200.If you can't crank the engine, use a whip rod from a tractor PTO with an overrunning clutch to drive the engine.What is the actual problem with the engine?  Do you have spark?Do you have fuel thru the carb?Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I have gotten some conflicting advice about it, was not sure about + to -  connections and settings. Ever heard of second opinions??  Spark seemed to be ok, carb has been cleaned out. Fresh gasoline in the tank. It has been a good while since I last cranked it. After I get it to start again, it will start easier the next time, I hope. Elbow is a little tender at the moment. Got a direct hit on it a few weeks ago from a minor mishap. Sure did hurt.
Reply:I wouldn't try using the welding generator as a starting motor without lifting the brushes on the exciter.  Even doing that, you are taking one hell of a chance when it starts up that the generator on the SA 200 will overpower the other machine and do serious damage.Since it's been sitting for some time, chances are the mag is weak.Hook a battery + side to the kill switch wire, and - side to the frame of the mag, and you'll have a real hot spark.  If she's on time, and has fuel she will start right up with the hot spark.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Thanks for battery to mag suggestion, Franz. I like it a lot better than what I was thinking about.
Reply:About thirty some years ago, when I was still in the Navy. I helped a friend restore a old Farm-All F20 tractor. I believe it was a 1937. We adapted a big drill motor to use to crank it. If I remember right we welded a chunk of pipe on a 1/2" rod. We slotted the pipe to fit the motor, and ground an angle on the backside of the slot to release the drill when the motor started.
Reply:define (awhile since you started it ).......mine only gets alittle cranky if it is below 20 degrees out....and once it didn't want to start do to oxydation on the points...but a quick draw with some emery cloth and a dollar bill cured that