69_BigBlock

I'm trying to see if I've got something seized in the engine. I took the valve covers off and spark plugs out and wanted to turn the engine over by hand just to make sure I see the rocker arms move on all cylinders. I've tried using a wrench on the crank nut but I can't get it to turn at all. Am I missing something here (other than enough strength)? Is there a better way?

With the valve covers on and the spark plugs out the starter motor seems to turn the engine over fine. With the plugs in it rotates slightly and just stops. I've checked all the grounds and it's a new starter.

Thanks!

Ron

GDaina

put the tranny in gear and start bumping (pushing) the car. the forward or backward motion will turn the motor, won't be fast, but it will turn

72rdstr

It is in neutral, isn't it?

69_BigBlock

It is is, although I must admit that I tried to turn it a couple of times before I remebered to put it in neutral :banghead:

Unfortunately it didn't get any easier when I put it in neutral.

69_BigBlock

Thanks GDaina. I'm in the garage by myself on a rainy/snowy night, so unfortunately I cant move the car much.

I may just have to wait until I can get some help. For some reason my pregnant wife isn't real anxous to come out and push the vette so I can watch the engine :lol:


[Modified by Ron_98vert, 11:10 PM 3/9/2004]

lars

You can do GDaina's method by yourself in very little space. Put the car in 2nd gear, then just rock and push the car. The engine should immediately rotate if it's not seized.

Fevre

After it stops with the plugs in did you try and pull the plugs again and see if it rotates? If it does rotate put one plug back in at a time and see when it stops. It might be a piston hitting a plug or just your starter is not strong enough to overcome the compression.

Freepop

Dead or low battery?

Calm Screamer2

That's the first thing I would check.

69_BigBlock

Thanks lars. I was trying it in 1st gear (it was getting late). I'll try it in 2nd tonight and see what I get.

Worst case I could just use the starter to turn the engine over without the valve covers on right? May be a little messy, but it I just did it for a second to confirm the rockers are moving I don't think it would be too bad.

69_BigBlock

Thanks for all the replies :cheers:

I have tried 2 different batteries with the same result. One was a known working battery from my 2003 Suburban.

Fevre - I did try it again. With plugs in, no luck. Remove plugs and the engine appears to turn easily (based on the sound and the fan turning). I removed the valve covers in hopes of confirming that the cam was moving the rocker arms as the engine turned. That's when I ran into the problem of trying to get the engine turning by hand. When I put the plugs back in I'll see if I can narrow the problem to a specific cylinder. Thanks for the suggestion!

Ron

verskel

Don't know if this helps......

When trying to "free" up a 4yr. old setting engine (327) in a '67 Camaro, I had to remove the heads before I could turn the engine by hand. :eek:
Before that, with a big monkey wrench, I was able to wiggle the harmonic balancer about 30-deg. before it "stuck".....

The result ? .....one of the pistons on the pass. side had rust flakes on the cylinder wall not allowing the piston to come up completely. :eek:

Anyways.....I'm sure yours is in better shape ! ...good luck with the starter bump. ;)

hermit

Do you have a remote starter switch? They are real cheap and work great for what you want to do. probably less than $10 at your local auto parts store. If you're worried about oil splashing, at cranking speeds there won't be any mess. Just be sure to disconnect and ground the coil wire.

GDaina

Remote starter won't do anything that the starter can't do....I would pull the pan and rotate the crank with a pry or breaker bar.

69_BigBlock

Thanks everyone for the help!!

I was able to rock the car a little easier in 2nd gear, but still not enough to satisfy me. I ended up just taking the spark plugs out and cranking the engine with the starter just long enough to see the rocker arms move :hurray:

After doing that I put the plugs back in and the engine turned over with the starter. I triple checked all of the groung connections before trying it again, so I'm guessing it was probably a ground problem all along.

A quick trip to pick up some valve cover gaskets today and the car should be back on the road Friday!!!

Thanks again everyone :cheers: