C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rotating engine in the car?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 11:25 AM
  #1  
SnowyATX's Avatar
SnowyATX
Thread Starter
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 395
From: Austin, TX
Default Rotating engine in the car?

All,

I need to rotate my engine (fully assembled in the car) in order to check my lifter preload (one more time). Has anyone found a box end wrench or rachet/socket combo that will work (i.e. doesn't interfere with the steering rack)? I've tried everything I have but now luck. Just wanted to see if someone has already solved this problem before I go seek out a solution. I know it can be done with the starter but I'd prefer to not use that method.

TIA,

Richard

Last edited by SnowyATX; Jan 14, 2007 at 11:33 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 11:40 AM
  #2  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

I made one. Took a socket, cut it in half and welded it to a flat bar and then bent the bar. Works great. I couldn't find anything else to fit.

Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 01:34 PM
  #3  
Patches's Avatar
Patches
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Default

I made my own by milling four sides on a 24 mm socket. That way I can use a wrench to grab it from the side. Plus, this way, if I don't have a good angle on it with the wrench, I can flip the wrench and grab it again for the next turn. I usually use a medium size adjustable with it and it works great. Made a few for my C5 buds a few years ago.

Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 01:37 PM
  #4  
hotwheels57's Avatar
hotwheels57
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Default

Almost any auto parts vendor will have versions of a flywheel turning tool similar to this...price varies from $20.00 to $80.00 depending on source and manufacturer. It may not be convenient for this particular job since since someone would have to beneath the car periodically. I'm not sure that the flywheel can be accessed with an LSx motor (?). But, it's a useful tool.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 01:41 PM
  #5  
runamuk's Avatar
runamuk
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Default

I used a 12 inch long crescent wrench.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 01:53 PM
  #6  
SnowyATX's Avatar
SnowyATX
Thread Starter
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 395
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by vettenuts
I made one. Took a socket, cut it in half and welded it to a flat bar and then bent the bar. Works great. I couldn't find anything else to fit.

This is exactly what I was thinking myself. Too bad I don't have access to a welder.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 05:21 PM
  #7  
trymyz's Avatar
trymyz
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
Default

If your engine is fully assembled meaning the serpentine belt is on and tight you can use a socket and wrench on the alternator bolt and rotate motor. It worked for me anyway.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 05:49 PM
  #8  
cruisemon's Avatar
cruisemon
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Default

Originally Posted by trymyz
If your engine is fully assembled meaning the serpentine belt is on and tight you can use a socket and wrench on the alternator bolt and rotate motor. It worked for me anyway.
With the plugs out of the engine, this ought to work just fine.

Charlie
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 08:07 PM
  #9  
SnowyATX's Avatar
SnowyATX
Thread Starter
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 395
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by cruisemon
With the plugs out of the engine, this ought to work just fine.

Charlie
Never thought of that....may have to give that a whirl....no pun intended.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 09:20 PM
  #10  
The Wrench's Avatar
The Wrench
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default

If it's a manual tranny you can jack up one rear wheel, put her in 6th, and easily turn the wheel by hand (even with all the plugs in).
Downside is you can't see the valves moving, unless you have a friend around.

DG
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 11:43 AM
  #11  
SnowyATX's Avatar
SnowyATX
Thread Starter
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 395
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by trymyz
If your engine is fully assembled meaning the serpentine belt is on and tight you can use a socket and wrench on the alternator bolt and rotate motor. It worked for me anyway.
Worked great! Thanks.......
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Rotating engine in the car?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:24 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE