engine will not turn after reinsta[

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 05:05 PM

Finally got my engine back into the car after almost a year. The starter motor just spins and I cannot turn the engine over by hand. I few months ago as I was working on the CIS it could be turned over with ease. Should I try some oil down the spark plugs of injector sleeves? How about the starter being misaligned with the fly wheel? Help I do not want to drop that engine again.

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

start with the obvious. Is it in gear with the parking break on?

Chris

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 05:28 PM

Neutral brake off, rolls freely

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

Will the engine turn in any direction by hand. This will test to see if somthing fell into the combustion chamber by backing off the piston when turned counter clockwise.

If the starter is doing strange things, pull it off and see if the engine then turns by hand.

Chris

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 05:35 PM

Pulled out the injectors and added a couple of cc of Marvel Mystery oil to each cylinder. I am trying to squeeze the pulley belt to spot it from slipping as I pry in the nut. still no go!

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

turn the engine by the nut on the crank. The pully belt always slips

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 05:37 PM

Thanks Chris. will try your suggestions

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 05:39 PM

How do you get to the nut on the crank with the engine installed ?

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

a regular wrench with an entension works. As sad as it sounds I used lots of duck tape to add a long screwdriver to the wrench. Worked great for years. Later used hose clamps to attach the extension to the wrench.

Chris

Ronnie's.930 · 05:51 PM

If you take a couple of the spark plugs out (don't need to remove them all), and the engine is not locked for some other reason, it spins easily by turning the fan pulley nut.

I wonder if there is a chance that you have some fuel in at least one cylinder causing a hydro lock?

Also, I don't quite understand what you mean by "the starter spins". Are you saying that the starter is spinning but not engaging the ring gear on the flywheel? Regardless, you obviously need to figure out why you can't turn the crank by hand before anything else is done.

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 06:02 PM

I may have more problems. I cannot get the transmission into gear. I put in a new clutch kit. The transmission appears to go through the gears. The shifting rod is moving correctly. But I can push the car easily when it should be in gear. I dropped the engine without the transmission and did not get the fork lined up. Pulled the engine and transmission as a unit the next time. Separated the two and reassembled. The fork looked in place and correct through the inspection hole. I did not try and turn the engine by hand at this time.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

You need to reset the coupler. If you fork was not in place you would not have any resistance with the cable off.

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 06:08 PM

Will you pleas explain how to reset the coupler?

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 06:15 PM

I put new bushings in the coupler. Market its position before removing it and reinstalled. Pin set correctly. Looks like the whole assembly is moving as it should through the shifting pattern. Gears don't seem to be engaging.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Put in new bushings or new coupler or both?

It is in the Bentley Guide, it is best if you have a helper to help you keep the shifter in place as you adjust the coupler and tighten it.

What year is your car?

As I mentioned earlier, raise her and disconnect the clutch cable ( and Omega ring aka clutch helper spring if your year has it ) and see if the clutch arm can move freely. If it does, then your fork is not in place.

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 06:51 PM

It is an 82. It is the old coupler, just new bushings. It is in neutral. Seems to be moving the rod correctly. No gear engagement as I go through the pattern. All new parts on the clutch and lever assembly redone.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Then I default to the fork, raise her and disconnect the cable and helper arm, I think you have one then check if the smaller clutch moves, if it does, the fork is not on.

Ronnie's.930 · 05-11-2014, 07:14 PM

I also want to mention that, coming from someone with a lot of mechanical experience and who has made his fair share of mistakes along the way, this is one of those instances where you need to work on one problem at a time.

If it were me, I would first figure out why the engine will not turn over by hand (remove spark plugs and check for fuel in the cylinders and such), then what is causing the starter to spin but not engage the flywheel ring gear, and after that, look into the no-shift issue. If you try to do too much troubleshooting at once, and don't have a lot of experience doing so, you'll get confused and frustrated in a hurry.

Bill wjw · 05-11-2014, 07:20 PM

I put her and the tools away for the night. It I am think the clutch is depressed and that is why the gears will not engage. I don't know why that would be. When I reassembled the clutch levers yesterday I remember the small arm would not move. I set the clearance according to the manuals and adjusted the throw. I will disconnect and check as you suggest. I am curious how any of this relates to the engine not turning over by hand. I was afraid that it could go like this today as the moment of truth approached. First time going this far into the car. I hate to give up and take it to a garage as a basket case I screwed up. I don't think I have it in me to pull that engine again.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Where are you located?

Don't worry get some rest and re-think your steps.

Let me see if I can find the adjustment procedure for the coupler.

Jim