Starting problem: engine not cranking

[JamesT]

I recently finished changing the head gasket on my 1992 240sx with a KA24DE. However, now that it's finished, the engine won't turn over. You can tell that the starter is trying, but it's not getting the engine to move. It just grinds and clicks a little.

We tried to keep the car oiled up well enough throughout the procedure, but I'm thinking that the engine is probably locked up and unable to break the static friction to turn over. Is this a possibility?

If this is the case, I'm thinking about trying to roll the car enough to start it with the clutch. However, it's probably possible that this would just destroy everything.

[JamesT]

Inspected it a little closer... when I turn the key, the starter makes a little machine-gun noise for a second, and a small plume of smoke comes off of the uncovered battery terminal.

[Nismo_Freak]

Sounds like the starter isn't meshing with the flywheel and it's locked up. Turn the motor over by hand a little bit and try it.

It almost sounds like you got the battery backwards.

[JamesT]

Battery definitely isn't backwards, but I'll try cranking it by hand. I guess thats probably better than going all-out and dropping it into gear.

[JamesT]

Ok, when I crank the engine by hand, it goes 180 degrees clockwise, and then 180 degrees counterclockwise. Thats the entire range though, and It won't turn any further than that.

What could be causing it to stop turning like this? A bent rod? Broken camshaft? Or am I just overlooking something simple...

[89 240 SOHC]

Try boosting it with another battery/vehicle. Check your ground wire that goes to the head....basically check all your connections