Discussion
As in, the crank won't turn at all?
Is it just the engine or is it connected to the rest of the car - if it's still in the car, could be that the clutch plates have siezed together. You can sometimes free them by bumping the engine on the starter but not if you've taken the cambelt off. Try jacking the rear wheels off the ground, putting it in 1st, and seeing if it'll turn then. If so, you can then get someone to hold the clutch down while you turn the crank - if the wheels still turn, then the clutch plates are stuck together.
If it aint that, or the engine's out of the car and the crank simply won't turn, then I'd be stripping it down and replacing all the crank bearings & piston rings.
So - 1st step, work out if it's the engine which has siezed or something in the drivetrain. Then you'll know what to fix.
Is it just the engine or is it connected to the rest of the car - if it's still in the car, could be that the clutch plates have siezed together. You can sometimes free them by bumping the engine on the starter but not if you've taken the cambelt off. Try jacking the rear wheels off the ground, putting it in 1st, and seeing if it'll turn then. If so, you can then get someone to hold the clutch down while you turn the crank - if the wheels still turn, then the clutch plates are stuck together.
If it aint that, or the engine's out of the car and the crank simply won't turn, then I'd be stripping it down and replacing all the crank bearings & piston rings.
So - 1st step, work out if it's the engine which has siezed or something in the drivetrain. Then you'll know what to fix.
More than likely it's the rings stick to the bores if it hadn't been turned by hand for 24 years
If it was the crank then it would be the main bearings
Anyhow a bit of oil down the spark plug holes could make a difference but in all honesty 24 years in a damp garage with all that condensation in the engine, I would start to strip it down.
You could put in neutral, raise the drive axle, turn the drive wheel, if it won't turn could be clutch plate.
Bar on socket on front crank pulley bolt, turn, if it turns and the wheels turn, clutch.
If it doesn't probably rings or mains, you could loosen the main caps a little and see if it will move a tiny bit but don't spin the bearings.
If it was the crank then it would be the main bearings
Anyhow a bit of oil down the spark plug holes could make a difference but in all honesty 24 years in a damp garage with all that condensation in the engine, I would start to strip it down.
You could put in neutral, raise the drive axle, turn the drive wheel, if it won't turn could be clutch plate.
Bar on socket on front crank pulley bolt, turn, if it turns and the wheels turn, clutch.
If it doesn't probably rings or mains, you could loosen the main caps a little and see if it will move a tiny bit but don't spin the bearings.
My patent mixture for this purpose - white spirit and engine oil in equal measure.
No need to any fruit or paper umbrellas, just leave it in the bores for a few days.
Then lean on the crank, both ways, until it'll jiggle to and fro.
Continue to increase the movement - it'll eventually turn all the way, with luck.
John
No need to any fruit or paper umbrellas, just leave it in the bores for a few days.
Then lean on the crank, both ways, until it'll jiggle to and fro.
Continue to increase the movement - it'll eventually turn all the way, with luck.
John
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff