Dohc Swap Wont Start

[Vernal]

The engine I bought from this idiot is the problem. I can't even turn the crank pulley by hand or with a crescent wrench. So my starter keeps clicking because it can't even turn the crank. Has anybody had this problem or any ideas to fix it? Im pretty damn sure I have to pull it out and rip it apart to see what the problem is, but any ideas or experiences will help. Also, when i take the key out several lights stay lit in the instrument cluster. Pretty much it looks like its in the accessory position with the key out. I have jumper cables going from the my battery (which is on the floor) to the terminals, does that matter?

[dickie]

that sucks!

you removed the spark plugs prior to turning the engine? dumb question i know, and it should be able to run anyways but its worth a shot...

not being able to turn the engine by the crank manually could indicate bent valves or worse!

[Vernal]

that sucks!

you removed the spark plugs prior to turning the engine? dumb question i know, and it should be able to run anyways but its worth a shot...

not being able to turn the engine by the crank manually could indicate bent valves or worse!

I am actually brand new to swapping. So I have to remove the spark plugs in order to turn the crank manually? Supposedly the head was rebuilt with all brand new OEM spec parts, so I hope there arent any bent valves or worse. Is that the only reason i cant turn it?

[dickie]

nope.

think about it for a sec: with the plugs in you are creating compression as the crank turns the pistons. removing the plugs should make it easier to turn by hand.

any number of things could cause the engine not to physically turn, bent valves is only one of them.

[Vernal]

nope.

think about it for a sec: with the plugs in you are creating compression as the crank turns the pistons. removing the plugs should make it easier to turn by hand.

any number of things could cause the engine not to physically turn, bent valves is only one of them.

Alright I will try that and see what happens.

[Vernal]

Well this has been another terrible day. I went out to the car and took out the spark plugs then put a vise grip on the crank pulley nut and gave it all I got counter clockwise and clockwise and it still didnt budge. I dont know what to do, all I know is that I am extremely pissed and stuck.

[mac2686]

dang that sucks... I bought a ka24de off a guy once too actually he said it ran when he pulled it. Well when I finally got around to messing with it I tried turning the crank by hand as well sept it wasn't in the car thank goodness I tried really hard too and it wouldn't turn i ended up taking the oil pan off and what do you know a rod was wedge up in the side i hadda take a hammer for a good while to get that thing out of there lol I was really PISSED btw but i only paid 100 for the motor and the head was still good so it wasn't all that bad. So maybe you should drain you oil and pop off the oil pan and take a looksy and hope you not as sol'd as I was

[Vernal]

Yeah I was thinking I had to do that. Im gonna see if I can get some help.

[mac2686]

well goodluck with that man, let me know how it goes for ya.

[Vernal]

well goodluck with that man, let me know how it goes for ya.

I will. Its just really sad that I cant get her running right now.

[Vernal]

Well I can push the car so I guess the engine/Transmission isnt locked up. I had trouble bleeding the clutch, I kept pumping and nothing. With a little trial and error I figured out it was a bad master. Replaced that and the clutch is bled now. I also figured out the electrical problem, but my starter is still just clicking. I dont have the belts on or the spark plugs in. What could it be?

[mac2686]

sweet your alot better off than what it sounded like thats good. So your cluster isn't all lit up now? I really don't know what to tell you bout your starter you could also continue hooking everything up then try if it still doesn't turn over you could try jump starting it on a hill for the time being... ehh

[Vernal]

sweet your alot better off than what it sounded like thats good. So your cluster isn't all lit up now? I really don't know what to tell you bout your starter you could also continue hooking everything up then try if it still doesn't turn over you could try jump starting it on a hill for the time being... ehh

Well I figured out a little trick to get the lights out in the cluster. Could it be that the installation is wrong on the starter? The teeth not lined up? I mean I took it out and put it in again. I took it out and kept readjusting the teeth until it slid in nicely, so I dont think it could be bad installation but maybe it is. When you say hooking everything up, do you mean the belts and the spark plugs? I was also thinking about trying to push start it.

[mac2686]

I wouldn't think that it would have to do with the installation because theres not really much to it. So when you pushed your car obviously it was in neutral does pushing it neutral actually turn the crank Im under the impression that it doesnt it might turn the transmission but not the crank... so if thats the case I still think you probably got a thrown rod or something that prevents you from turning the crank especially if you couldn't turn it by hand. Another thing you could try i guess would be to pull your starter out have someone turn the key and see if the motor spins... i don't know how safe that would be but I'd prolly try lol. If you figure out that it's really not your crank turning I'd try and remove the oil pan to see if theres really a thrown rod or something. Let me know what if you figure anything out I hope this helps man.Unfortunately I think its a thrown rod.

[Vernal]

Man I hope not cuz then I would have to take the engine out. I will try to break it with a breaker bar.

[Vernal]

Well I tried a breaker bar and I thought I was turning it. It was kind of hard and I ended up breaking a snap-on 1/2 drive extension. It was one of the ones with the heads that let the socket wobble a little. Anyway I will try again later but so far this is kind of scaring me.