Can't rotate my engine... seized?

[kfosburg]

Hi - 71 911E 2.2. Engine was rebuilt couple thousand miles ago... Over the winter I dropped the engine/trans (first time) to clean it (mice and other debris), adjust values, new seals and gaskets everywhere, flywheel resurfaced, new main sear in, etc...

Everything went back together fine and last weekend I started it successfully. Ran like crap because I haven't tuned or rebuilt the Webers and haven't got the ignition dialed in yet. I ran it for maybe 30 seconds. It had plenty of new oil.

I tried to start it a couple of days ago and starter wouldn't turn the engine over - just clicked. Figured low battery so I charged it until this morning and same thing. Upon further inspection I can't even rotate the engine by hand using the pulley. Nor will rocking it in gear seem to make it budge.

First thing I did was remove all the plugs to ensure a cylinder wasn't full of gas.

I put a borescope down each cylinder and didn't see anything horrible on the walls (it's a cheap one and wasn't super clear...).

Is it possible to have too much oil in the "crankcase"? I drained some and it was still slick and not full of gas.

WTH? I've had this car for 31 years and it's never had an issue. Any suggestions???

Thanks,

Karl

[walt]

Did you try and turn it over with the plugs out and in neutral.

[kfosburg]

Originally Posted by walt

Did you try and turn it over with the plugs out and in neutral.

Yes, first thing I tried pretty much fearing a cylinder full of gas... Thanks.

[yelcab1]

Here is what I would do.

take the engine back out, separate it from the gearbox. Remove all spark plugs, see if you can turn it over by hand using a big wrench on the pulley bolt.

if not, remove the timing cases and inspect the chains. Are they binding anywhere?

Those two things will shed a lot of light in your situation.

[brujo65]

removed the starter and try to turn it .

[kfosburg]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll try the starter but already started the drop again...

Karl

[chrismorse]

Was there any water in the bores?? Might have rusted the rings to the bore?
How about clutch cover bolts being too long and jamming into the block behind the flywheel??
Will it move in any direction? I know it is not recommended to rotate backwards, just curious
Good luck,
Chris

[kfosburg]

Originally Posted by brujo65

removed the starter and try to turn it .

Winner. I dropped the engine and removed the starter and, viola, I could easily turn it by hand.

Very glad it's not something internal!

Thanks very much for all the responses.

Karl

[911 SLANT]

So what was binding?

[kfosburg]

Originally Posted by 911 SLANT

So what was binding?

Not really sure, but when I pulled the starter the bronze bushing fell right out, so perhaps it was cockeyed and jamming in the engaged position...

I found a rebuilt starter locally and I'll pick up in the morning to try it out.

Fingers crossed,

Karl

[kfosburg]

Originally Posted by 911 SLANT

So what was binding?

Well... I think it's pretty obvious what the issue was. That's the ring that holds the bushing into the starter.



Engine is back in, turns over easily. Out of time for the weekend, so back at it later in the week. Trying to wrap this up so I can drive it to Hershey!

Karl

[rwest]

Always nice when the cheaper of the options is the problem! Besides it was good to find out the starter was falling apart at your house not in the middle of nowhere.

[mikedsilva]

Good result!

[djpateman]

Great news. It seems that failing starters is common. My grandson had a starter fail on him recently; just dead all of a sudden. Even my 3 year old John Deere lawn tractor now has a dead starter/generator; only 60 hours on it.

[RedCoupe]

And worse than that, my own personal starter failed this morning. After an evening working on the 911, I rolled out of bed this morning to find that the coffee maker has failed!!

[GothingNC]

That is awesome news !

My brother had the same issue on the 914 he picked up a few years ago real cheap;
seller thought the motor was seized, but it was really the starter washer that caused the issue.