Another engine out...while I'm at it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
Another engine out...while I'm at it?
My engine won't turn over after a clutch swap. It sat for 7 months, so I put oil down the plug holes, and turned the key. It turned over a bit, (2 seconds)then nothing. I pulled the engine and it still won't turn over by hand.
I took off the intake and oil pan last night, but didn't find anything that looked too obvious. I will take off the heads tonight. Hopefully something simple jumps out at me.
Now the question. While it's out, it may be a good time to upgrade some pieces. I bought the engine used with about 10 000 kms on it, and put on a few hundred kms in the past two years.
400 sbc, XE 262 cam, 462 double hump heads (professionally ported) 1.5 roller rockers, ~9.0:1 comp, I was told all internal parts are GMPP.
78 vette 4 speed, 3.70 rear
I know heads would make a difference, but probably can't afford them right now (newborn baby...) Maybe a bigger cam? Any thoughts?
I took off the intake and oil pan last night, but didn't find anything that looked too obvious. I will take off the heads tonight. Hopefully something simple jumps out at me.
Now the question. While it's out, it may be a good time to upgrade some pieces. I bought the engine used with about 10 000 kms on it, and put on a few hundred kms in the past two years.
400 sbc, XE 262 cam, 462 double hump heads (professionally ported) 1.5 roller rockers, ~9.0:1 comp, I was told all internal parts are GMPP.
78 vette 4 speed, 3.70 rear
I know heads would make a difference, but probably can't afford them right now (newborn baby...) Maybe a bigger cam? Any thoughts?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: West Central Florida
If it was running before and not stroked it wont be the cam and rod bolts. If you have the 462 heads and they are ported I would spend the money elsewhere in the engine cause those are good for 400 plus HP if ported right. Before you start getting things for it you need to get it turning. Pull all the spark plugs and try turning it again and listen for a clunking sound when it stops if it stops then turn in the other direction. Keep in mind that a good sealed engine with good ring seal will be VERY difficult to turn by hand on a stand with the plugs in it. Also there could be crud in the oilpump locking things up or there could have been a freeze in the block causing a cracked cylinder. With out more info its hard to say, could have just been a weak battery after 7months.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
The plugs are out and it won't turn at all; neither forward or backward. I have turned it over by hand in the past (before this happened) with a 1/2" ratchet on the dampner bolt so I know it can be done.
Crud in the oil pump? I will have a better look at that.
A freeze in the block causing a cracked cylinder? Do you mean the coolant froze and cracked the block? I hope not because the antifreeze was tested to -40, and it may have only got to -20C in my garage over the winter. I should be able to see that when I pull the heads tonight.
Thanks for the replies.
Crud in the oil pump? I will have a better look at that.
A freeze in the block causing a cracked cylinder? Do you mean the coolant froze and cracked the block? I hope not because the antifreeze was tested to -40, and it may have only got to -20C in my garage over the winter. I should be able to see that when I pull the heads tonight.
Thanks for the replies.
