Why do fools fall in love?

[Poor-sche Lover]

Sorry, I figured I needed a catch phrase to get y'all to reply.

This may be a stupid question, but I have to ask anyway. When they (you) say that the engine turns freely by hand, how "freely" is "freely"? In addition, what would be the most likely culprit if the engine only turns by hand under great force?

Thanks a lot, you guys.

Alan
'74 914, 2.0 L
Zambezi Green/Olympic Blue

[Alfred1]

Is this an assembled engine with all of the spark plugs in? If so, you will need a ratchet to rotate it. If it's just the crank and rods in an assembled case, then I don't think that you should have any problem rotating it with just one hand. Did you measure all of the bearing clearances and install the connecting rod caps correctly? If you mix up the caps you will have problems.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

With the spark plugs out, it should turn with relatively little effort. You'll be fighting a bunch of friction (in the bearings, rings, etc.) and the spring force of the valve springs, and that's pretty much it. With the plugs in, you are fighting compression as well. Not hard to turn if you have a good grip with some leverage (e.g., grab a rear wheel while the transmission is in gear). Significantly harder but still possible by grabbing the front of the engine cooling fan.

Worry if you get to a point where you can't turn the motor any further. Or if you have to fight it with the spark plugs removed.

--DD

[Conrad W Peden]

And not matter how tempting it may be. DO NOT stick a big screwdriver in the fan through the hole in the shroud.

Breaking fins is bad.

Then you have to go break the fin off 180 degrees out

[SGB]

Hey-
Breaking off fins....
suppose you can change the sound? Maybe remove every third fin? Brings new meaning to "tune your engine"

btw, my favorite dillbert is "we have done a risk management assessment and determined that there is no risk of any management."

[Poor-sche Lover]

Yeah, I've heard about those fins. This info leads me to believe that something is wrong in there. I have never opened up the case, and I'm terribly worried about what I'm going to find in there. Is it true that, most likely, I will need new bearings? What else will I need? It almost feels like there is one spot in the rotation that is quite hard to turn through, but once it gets past there, it's okay. Thanks for your help, guys.

[ruddyboys]

The PO broke off 2 fins, I found them in the glove box (took me months to figure what the things in the Glove Box were), can they be welded back on? If they can can I use a alum rod.