How to turn over engine by hand?

[WarrenS]

I have a '74 with 2.0L engine in the driveway. The car is rusted beyond any hope of ever being back on the road. I dragged it home with hopes of salvaging bits and pieces from it. Glass is good, and I'm hoping I'll get some other stuff as well.

What is the easiest way to check if the engine will turn over? I'm not ready to try to start it yet, just need to confirm whether it is seized or not and go from there. There is no battery and there is nowhere to put it anyhow.

One of the rear wheels is stuck so it can't just be pushed while in gear. I'll have to cut off the brake caliper to make it turn again.

Ideas?

[Rrrockhound]

I've always been able to just grab the fan at the front of the motor and turn it by hand. If you pull the spark plugs, it shouldn't be too hard.

[Joe Ricard]

Yup that will work. DO NOT STICK ANYTHING IN THE FAN BLADES They wil break.

Pull the transaxle and use the flywheel. You can stick long screw driver in the clutch holes to turn.

[vacca rabite]

No need to pull the tranny.

Put the car in 5th with one rear wheel up in the air and the other wheel on the ground. Pull the plugs out. Turn the air born wheel. If it turns, your engine is not seized.

Zach

[Joe Bob]

Just went thru this with my boat....pull the plugs, spray in PB Blaster, either try the starter or use the 5th gear wheel method. If it doesn't tun...spray in more PB and wait a day or two.....repeat until it turns.....