The Plastic Lizard

I'm transplanting an ls1 into my 84.

I need to turn the engine to align the flywheel and torque converter.

The starter is removed because that's where I have to attach the bolts.

I tried to turn the engine using the harmonic balancer bolt but it feels like I'm going to break the bolt off. Is there another way to rotate the engine?

gerardvg

I usually turn the engine to align the torque converter with a big long screwdriver and rest it againt the block or bell housing and the tip against the ring gear and pull the handle, does not require much effort to turn the engine that way.

The engine should rotate easy enough via the ballancer bolt, remove the spark plugs to check it turns over.

ex-x-fire

Pull the spark plugs to make turning it over easy.

The Plastic Lizard

How do I turn it without the starter installed?

hcbph

After pulling the plugs, turn the crank using a breaker bar or something someone told me: use the bolt on the alternator. They said if the plugs are out it will turn over using the alt bolt easily. I've never done that one, so assuming it works as I was told.

The Plastic Lizard

Since the engine has been sitting for a while, should I spray some penetrating oil in a spark plug hole?

JackDidley

If the spark plugs are out, you should be able to grab the flex plate and spin it by hand. If you cant, something is wrong.

383vett

Use a flywheel turning tool.

http://www.eastwood.com/media/catalo...36e95/p220.jpg

Cliff Harris

I turned mine by putting a large screwdriver into the torque converter bolt bosses. I have also used the holes in the flex plate.

If the plugs are still in it you can turn it a little way and then compression will make it very difficult to turn farther. Wait a bit for the compression to leak past the rings and then you can turn if farther.

Another option is to put in an ARP harmonic balancer bolt. It has a much larger head on it that makes it much easier to keep a socket on. I paid about $28 for mine, but well worth it in aggravation avoided.

http://www.arpfasteners.com/kits/ARP...p?RecordID=247


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ch@0s

I used the flex plate bolts and a pry bar, the plugs need to be out.

The Plastic Lizard

So it turns out my flywheel and torque converter were bound up.

I loosened the transmission bell housing and it rotated freely again.

I've got the two bolted together now and tomorrow I will bolt the bell housing to engine back.

Hopefully they will go together smooth.

383vett

Something doesn't sound right. If the converter was bound when the transmission and block were bolted together the first time, why would it change now? Are you sure the converter is seated all the way back into the pump? Is the bellhousing bolt pattern of an LS motor the same as a L93 block?