Turning over engine by hand
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Turning over engine by hand
I'm replacing head gaskets, and want to rub a little oil in the cylinders to make sure they are happy for the next few weeks. Also want to verify my timing mark is correct, and figure that would be easy to do with the heads off maybe.
Question is what's the trick for turning it over by hand? I've seen suggestions here about attaching something to one of the bolts on the pulley on front of the engine, but that doesn't look like a very good approach on this one, looks like I'd just end up rounding off some bolt heads.
Any advice appreciated. Photo attached, if it works. And a bonus photo of the thing without any heads, for anyone who hasn't been down this path. First time for me.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
Thanks!
Question is what's the trick for turning it over by hand? I've seen suggestions here about attaching something to one of the bolts on the pulley on front of the engine, but that doesn't look like a very good approach on this one, looks like I'd just end up rounding off some bolt heads.
Any advice appreciated. Photo attached, if it works. And a bonus photo of the thing without any heads, for anyone who hasn't been down this path. First time for me.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
If your car is a 4 speed, put it in 4th gear and then push the car forwards or backwards to move the engine. Very simple.
Last edited by 62Jeff; Sep 11, 2012 at 06:36 PM. Reason: spelling
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 6
From: Troy New York
I've done that many times over the 50 years I've owned my 59...never a problem....a simple six point socket will do it....remember, there is no compression to fight.... if your belt is loose, you may have to just tighten it up or use the belt to help it along...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,503
Likes: 812
From: East Central Florida
Remove the 3 pulley bolts and the pulley.
Get 3 longer bolts, about 4" or so and install those.(without pulley)
Use a long pry bar, long 1/2" drive extension, or similar tool. Insert between 2 of the 3 bolts and turn, rotating to alternate pair positions of the 3 bolts.
Get 3 longer bolts, about 4" or so and install those.(without pulley)
Use a long pry bar, long 1/2" drive extension, or similar tool. Insert between 2 of the 3 bolts and turn, rotating to alternate pair positions of the 3 bolts.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If you have the heads off, that also mean you aren't pushing the valves. The engine should turn like butter unless it's just been rebuilt.
Just wrap the fan belt around the crank pulley and pull whichever way you need to turn the engine. Very easy.
There is no need to oil the cylinders because the engine is open for two weeks. That'll just attract/hold dirt.
Just wrap the fan belt around the crank pulley and pull whichever way you need to turn the engine. Very easy.
There is no need to oil the cylinders because the engine is open for two weeks. That'll just attract/hold dirt.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Thanks again guys. It just occurred to me that the reason it may not be turning over easily by just grabbing the pulley could be due to the fact that I have the rear wheels blocked and it's in gear...
If you have the heads off, that also mean you aren't pushing the valves. The engine should turn like butter unless it's just been rebuilt.
Just wrap the fan belt around the crank pulley and pull whichever way you need to turn the engine. Very easy.
There is no need to oil the cylinders because the engine is open for two weeks. That'll just attract/hold dirt.
Just wrap the fan belt around the crank pulley and pull whichever way you need to turn the engine. Very easy.
There is no need to oil the cylinders because the engine is open for two weeks. That'll just attract/hold dirt.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Remove the 3 pulley bolts and the pulley.
Get 3 longer bolts, about 4" or so and install those.(without pulley)
Use a long pry bar, long 1/2" drive extension, or similar tool. Insert between 2 of the 3 bolts and turn, rotating to alternate pair positions of the 3 bolts.
Get 3 longer bolts, about 4" or so and install those.(without pulley)
Use a long pry bar, long 1/2" drive extension, or similar tool. Insert between 2 of the 3 bolts and turn, rotating to alternate pair positions of the 3 bolts.
If you do it while its in gear youll eventually be able to do it from under the car!
