Engine won't turn

[karmannghia60]

Posting on behalf of a friend of mine
His car is a '76S with a 2.7L
Was running strong with no issues. In fact it had about $8k spent on it just before he bought the car
Drove it to a mechanic to drop the engine/gearbox to start body Resto
Now trying to do tappers but engine wouldn't turn at all. Neither clockwise nor anti clockwise
He removed gearbox and starter. He pulled off cam gear cover to inspect. He removed sump and stuck a snake camera up its guts. He removed spark plugs and had a good look
Nothing looks sinester but still engine won't turn
If it has something major broken, you would expect it to at least move a little in either direction then stop
It only sat for 2 weeks so surface rust inside barrels couldn't be an issue. He sprayed WD40 anyway
Still it won't budge
Any suggestions?
If he bolts starter back on and try to turn it over a fraction, would it be a bad idea?
Thanks in advance
Rafik

[DRACO A5OG]

Did he try loosing all the valve adjusters? What position is the cam shaft in? Without the plugs there should be no pressure, very strange.

In the $8K work, what was done? Head machined? Maybe they were no square and cause the cams to warp?

Post a pic?

[pete3799]

So the engine is on a stand? Check for interference from the mounting yoke.

[karmannghia60]

Yes, all plugs are off
Definitely no interference
No, didn't try to loosen adjusters
will ask him for a couple of pics and post
Keep in mind, this was running perfectly till it was pulled out
Got me stumped

[karmannghia60]

[boosted79]

Very strange indeed. Yes, tell us what 8k in work was done. That has to involve some major surgery. How many miles were put on it between that work and now? The way I see there are two possibilities. One, the engine was very tight after being put back together and the guy was turning it over with a breaker bar to do the timing. It may run ok for a while in that condition but I'd think not for long. Two, something happened during the last engine drop, hard to believe though. I don't think I'd bolt up the trans and starter to bump it until more investigation is done, eg. loosening all the rockers.

[DRACO A5OG]

I kinda see engine is sitting on a dolly of some sort? He verified clearance from the fly wheel.

+1 do not put a starter to her, it may sheer off the bolt mount on the fly wheel or worse fractured a cam shaft.

[boosted79]

Any updates?

[sixbanger]

If it was running then why is the induction removed.

['76 911S 3.0]

I don't know if this pertains, but what is that blockage in the return tube?

[Lapkritis]

Last time someone posted one of these they had bound their flywheel against the engine stand.

[Rusty 356]

I'd check end play on the crank as a next move.

[VFR750]

Originally Posted by lapkritis

last time someone posted one of these they had bound their flywheel against the engine stand.

+1

btdt.

[karmannghia60]

No joy. Heads are now off. two barrels have some scouring on them. Still not turning. Sound like he has to go the whole way and split the case

[DRACO A5OG]

oh poop

So, is that oil return tube crushed?

[karmannghia60]

Should know more in the next few days, will post an update

[Cairo94507]

Please keep us posted.

[Lapkritis]

Yes- interested in what the culprit is. Engines don't normally drive in and suddenly lock up. Heads off and still bound is bizarre for a runner that drove into the shop.

[safe]

I hade a 2 liter mag case engine that was like this. It needed a very large force to break loose then it would turn, let is sit for a while it was solid again.
Turned ut to be a bad rebuild, engine case was warped and gripped the crank. Needed tons of work and money...

[tharbert]

Originally Posted by safe

...engine case was warped and...

I wonder if the $8k rebuild included $2k+ of machine work most mag cases need. In the one pic of the case, it doesn't look it was hot tanked anytime recently.