engine is back in sort of
 

I just put my engine back in yesterday (never had it started yet). Everything seemed Ok untill I turned the key, about 4 clicks then nothing. Turned it again same clicks then nothing. climbed on the trunk to try to spin the engine (not easy getting a socket wrench infront of the impeller) it moved alittle, turned key got a little bit of a starter turn then nothing but clicks. Does this sound like a starter problem or when I put the engine back together (just rings) did someting not line up. Also if Im looking forward which direction does the engine spin CW or CCW. Its fustrating coming to work on Mondays to "Hey did the car start this weekend Ha, Ha, Ha".

Its fustrating coming to work on Mondays to "Hey did the car start this weekend Ha, Ha, Ha".

My solution to this is to only tell people what you've completed, not what you're hoping to complete. Of course I do the same thing. My car was supposed to be on the road 3 weeks ago. Finally, I only have the muffler left to put on tonight.

I assume that you adjusted the valves so as a result of adjusting the valves you were able to turn the engine over freely by hand ?

Do you have the main ground strap hooked up that attaches from the back of the transmission to the trunk floor ?

I wired brushed to bare metal the ground stap and trunck floor. I did not adjust the valves (Stupid) just bolted them back on. I was able to rotate the engine while out of the car (did not turn a full cycle) by hand with little resistance.

I would not attempt to start the engine until the valves are adjusted. Pull the plugs, adjust your valves, kill fuel supply and let it spin over several seconds by starter. Will also help prime oil system.

my first time i forgot the LARGE & LONG battery cable to the starter! DOH!

if the battery has been out for a while you might want to put it on a charger, out of the car. no need to boil that acid out and start the rust problem all over again.

kevin

recharged battery before trying to crank the engine. Was going to put a few drops of oil in the sparkplug holes, wait a few days and try again. wondering if one of the pushrods didn't seat well. Will try removing rockers and see if that frees up the motor. If I crank the engine with the rockers and pushrods removed (theres no fuel to the engine yet) will I do any damage.

You shouldn't. The lifters may bounce around a bit without any spring-loaded pushrods to keep pushing them back down again, but that shouldn't do any damage.

If you want to spin the motor quickly, you can take out the spark plugs as well. That will release all the compression and make it much easier to turn the motor over. I'm not sure if you want to be spinning it that fast, but...

--DD

I've had the car form about 9 months without beeing able to have the engine turn over or even crank. The cylinders were slightly rusted anbd stuck when purchased from PO (left out in rain and snow for 5 years). Pulled heads and cylinders, cleaned and reringed. Now would like to see the engine just spin once.