1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Does the shifter have to be in neutral in order for the engine to turn? I have it all the way forward from when I took the outdrive off. The reason I'm asking is that I have just welded an extension and a T handle to the input shaft, and I tried to turn the motor through the coupler, and it didn't budge. I don't want to try and overpower it and break it because the shifter is in forward instead of neutral. Also, when I do get the shifter in the right gear it needs to be in, is there any risk of damaging anything by strong arming the handle? This is my last resort before I go ahead and pull the engine. I don't want to have to pull the engine until I absolutely have to. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Once the drive is off, shift is a non issue.Use all you need to try and turn the motor
you cant hurt anything.But if its that solid then there are more damaging issues.Like frozen/rusted pistons. It should turn easily ,if not its pull the head and look inside time.

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Hey Bt Doctur, I think it's definitely pull the head and look inside time. I've tried with all my might to turn it and it didn't budge an inch. It's definitely seized beyond the strength of a human. I plan on pulling it and putting it on a stand tomorrow. Do any of you guys have a good manual on this motor similar to the Haynes manual for cars?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Hey Bt Doctur, I think it's definitely pull the head and look inside time. I've tried with all my might to turn it and it didn't budge an inch. It's definitely seized beyond the strength of a human. I plan on pulling it and putting it on a stand tomorrow. Do any of you guys have a good manual on this motor similar to the Haynes manual for cars?

Ayuh,.... This should be yer motor,...
'n This should be yer drive,...

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Thanks Bond-o, I will post back with any questions and bumps that I come across during the process of tearing the engine apart.

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Ok, so I've pulled the motor, got the exhaust manifold off, and the head, and there is a lot of rust. However, in the cylinders, there's not that much rust. The majority of the rust is in the exhaust manifold. I've sprayed PB Blaster (penetrating catalyst) in all of the cylinders and let it set over night. But I still can't get the engine to budge. The cylinders and bores all are in great shape. There are no cracks in the block. What is the next step in trying to get the motor loose?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Ok, so I've pulled the motor, got the exhaust manifold off, and the head, and there is a lot of rust. However, in the cylinders, there's not that much rust. The majority of the rust is in the exhaust manifold. I've sprayed PB Blaster (penetrating catalyst) in all of the cylinders and let it set over night. But I still can't get the engine to budge. The cylinders and bores all are in great shape. There are no cracks in the block. What is the next step in trying to get the motor loose?

Ayuh,... Keep takin' it apart, til ya find the Problem....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

sounds like the water got past the rings and into the bores, might try removing the oil pan drain plug to see what and how much comes out.

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

So I'm pretty sure I messed up. I put the engine on a cart instead of a stand. I did this because I could not fine anywhere to mount the engine on the stand (no proper bolt holes). Usually in a car engine I put it right where the tranny bolts are. Obviously can't do that with this engine. However, I need it on the stand now so I can start working on the bottom part of the motor. The 2 places to pick the motor up with a cherry picker are removed from the motor. Does anybody have any insight on how to pick motor up with out putting it back together? And if I do have to put it back together just to lift it, which is no problem for me, where do I mount it to the stand? That's the real question. I believe I'm going to need to remove the flywheel as well as there is standing water in the bottom of the well where the flywheel is. I haven't been able to drain the oil yet because it's too low on the cart, no clearance to drain it or to take the oil pan off. Thanks guys.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

How far do you have it stripped down?

Prop up the oil pan with some wood, remove the rear mount and flywheel, then bolt on the engine stand's adapter. Picking it up should be easy from there, just bolt the front lifting eye back on or find somewhere to lift on the front of the engine. Or, just sling the front with some heavy rope, with the head and manifold off it's not that heavy,,, 250# or so.

3 of my neighbors and I lifted the 140 short block out of my boat, nooo problem'o! Couple of 2x4's bolted across the block's deck for handles and it was out.

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

How far do you have it stripped down?

I have the exhaust manifold and the head off, the distributor, the fuel pump, etc. Thanks for the info, I should be able to do this without a problem.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

You will need to remove the bellhousing at the back of the engine and the flywheel. Then you can bolt it to the engine stand. Like this:

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Ok, thanks, How'd you get the head that clean? My head has a lot of rust on it and I would like to clean all parts of this engine, before I rebuild it, without having to pay a shop to clean it for me. And do you have an exact bolt size to mount the engine? Or should I compare them to the ones I remove?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

That head has been rebuilt, that's why it looks all shiny and clean. If you are going to completely rebuilding the short block (sounds like you might be there with it locked up) I would just plan on rebuilding the head, after 25 years it's probably due... For cleaning the parts, leave it to the shop. Most likely they will insist on cleaning everything, anyway.

The engine stand bolts are 3/8", something like 3.5 - 4" long, depends on your engine stand. I'd want 3/4" of bolt thread going into the block, use some washers to shim the bolts out like Fishermark did, I did the same.

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

That head has been rebuilt, that's why it looks all shiny and clean. If you are going to completely rebuilding the short block (sounds like you might be there with it locked up) I would just plan on rebuilding the head, after 25 years it's probably due... For cleaning the parts, leave it to the shop. Most likely they will insist on cleaning everything, anyway.

The engine stand bolts are 3/8", something like 3.5 - 4" long, depends on your engine stand. I'd want 3/4" of bolt thread going into the block, use some washers to shim the bolts out like Fishermark did, I did the same.

Will definitely do. Thanks.

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Sorry, I don't know how to post pictures like the one above. Anyhow, after a closer look, this is what I discovered. Look familiar to any of you guys?

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Yea, those pictures are crap, sorry. I don't know why they are rotated and half is grey, I looked through the forum on how to post pics, can't find anything.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

lmorefield41....I may have a solution for you....check your PM box.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.

Here's the post from the FAQ section: Attaching images

 

[lmorefield41]

Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 Won't Start or Manually Turn.