I am in agreement with not changing the needle or compression from the running setting. One may not be able to accomplish this with all diesels. I have found that I can do it with ST G20-15's and dieselized Tower 40. It is possible to hand start both but I use an electric starter. Basically running settings are generally lower compression and leaner than what you would set for optimum hand starting. So with care, the possibility of hydraulic lock is remote. I have used the 'finger over the venturi choke' after the engine starts, usually needed for just a couple of seconds. John McCollum suggested using a piece of removable fuel tubing stuck in the venturi. Sounds good, but I have not tried it.

With these engines, I do not do a prewarmup. If the engine immediately starts singing, it is probably overcompressed. I like for the engine to sound undercompressed about until I get ready to release the airplane. If it burps a few times during the initial level laps, no harm is done.

Jim