Can't turn engine over by hand

[Rasputin]

I'm attempting to get my battle wagon running again. While trying to index the distributor and getting the timing mark lined up, I can't even even budge the crankshaft(?) bolt. Yes, all the plugs are out, and still unable to turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise for that matter. It spins when I use the ignition. What could this mean? Please help an idiot and make the world a better place.

 

[TiRod]

So far sounds like normal internal friction - mainly oil "stiction" and rings. A cheater pipe on the breaker bar/rachet on the crankbolt should do, at least two foot long.

At 400 amps draw the starter puts out a few horsepower - so it takes some grunt by hand.

How long has it not been running and did the cylinders get oiled when it was put in storage? Rust builds up on the cylinder walls after just a few weeks.

 

[RichP]

Squirt some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders then spin it over for a second or two with the starter. Freed up a couple of seized engines that way when owners forgot to put oil back in after an oil change [yup, people do do that, more often than you think]...

 

[jeepboy381]

Did it spin by hand when you first assembled it? If not then you might have put the main bearing caps on in the wrong direction or possibly the wrong order. I know that will make it extremely hard to spin by hand.

 

[Rasputin]

Re: Can't turn engine over by hand

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So far sounds like normal internal friction - mainly oil "stiction" and rings. A cheater pipe on the breaker bar/rachet on the crankbolt should do, at least two foot long.

At 400 amps draw the starter puts out a few horsepower - so it takes some grunt by hand.

How long has it not been running and did the cylinders get oiled when it was put in storage? Rust builds up on the cylinder walls after just a few weeks.

Squirt some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders then spin it over for a second or two with the starter. Freed up a couple of seized engines that way when owners forgot to put oil back in after an oil change [yup, people do do that, more often than you think]...
__________________

It died on Christmas. I changed the oil about two weeks before that. I'll try the Marvel Mystery Oil and a cheater bar this weekend. Thanks for the help.