4.3 locked up need tool to turn motor

[boatermarquis]

Hello, I got 89 sea ray with 4.3 mercruiser , and starter motor stuck.dont know the history.could be rings, or who knows what else.i took manifolds off, put pentitraiting oil in each cylinder.i need the tool to turn crank backwards or forwards. Where could I get the tool at? I really don't to order it.auto zone maybe? I want to try tool and oil it first before pulling heads.i need name of tool and where to get it and any other tips.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Need a lot more information to make the correct answer.
Remove the drive, it may be the part that is seized
Remove the starter, it may be the item that is seized
Did any water come out of the sparkplug holes? Were any plug tips rusty looking? Was the drain plug left in and the boat filled with water?
Was it winterized correctly?

 

[boatermarquis]

Plugs were clean, no rust.starter working.loud clunk.it was winterized.dont believe it's the drive, because no slack.i read motor will turn a slight if drive locked up.i tried turning bolt on flywheel but don't want to break it.want to turn backwards.need the tool or someway to turn it.

 

[thumpar]

You should pull the drive even if you don't think that is causing the problem. It will need normal maintenance anyway. What kind of tool are you looking for? A breaker bar should do it. They are not expensive. If that won't do it after pulling the drive then it will probably need a rebuild. Even if it does work you will need to test compression and probably do a leak down test to make sure it is ok to still use.

 

[boatermarquis]

They make a tool for breaking motors loose, I just don't know the name.breaker bar probably break bolt.from my understanding there's enough slack in coupler for motor to move.drive and bellows look new, I believe it has been serviced. Please tell me if I'm wrong about any slack in coupler.there has to be ways to turn motor.starter is engaging with good battery and 125 amp charger.

 

[boatermarquis]

I just filled cylinders with pb blaster.really want to try wiggle motor forward or backwards.Is there a special tool at auto store, or is it a special order item.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there is no special tool that I am aware of. did you pull the drive and starter?

6 bolts to pull the drive, 3 to pull the starter.

then use a small pry bar on the flywheel teeth to rock the motor back and forth.

There is a glorified socket that fits over the crank (if you have the balancer off) for turning the crank when you are rebuilding the motor. however most auto part stores will not have this in stock.

 

[thumpar]

It is not a special tool it is just called a breaker bar. It is a long wrench that you can put a socket on. I got mine at Harbor Freight but you can find them at any store that sells tools.

 

[boatermarquis]

there is no special tool that I am aware of. did you pull the drive and starter? 6 bolts to pull the drive, 3 to pull the starter.

Wouldn't the motor move just a touch if drive locked up? Starter isn't froze stuck.

 

[Scott Danforth]

No, the motor will not move if the drive is locked up. if it does move, it wont move enough for you to notice

 

[boatermarquis]

Ok I'll pull drive tomarrow.

 

[boatermarquis]

Something else I noticed.where the drive slides in before the coupler, there's a grease fitting, and that whole piece is covered in layered rust.also looks like bellows and hose been replaced within 3 years.maybe the u joint bellow was leaking before.they replaced, but didn't get all the water out.

 

[thumpar]

I would think you have an Alpha 1 first gen from the size of engine and year. Put it in forward and it is 6 nuts and the ram pin that hold it on. It will slide off. It is a 5 minute job

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you really insist on turning the motor by the nose bolt DON`T. Break the nose bolt and the crankshaft must come out.
The safest way is to remove the harmonic balancer pully, reintall the 3 bolts and use a bar/pipe/ rebar, etc. between the bolts to turn the motor.

 

[boatermarquis]

I don't have a alignment tool is why I didn't want to pull drive.

 

[boatermarquis]

If you really insist on turning the motor by the nose bolt DON`T. Break the nose bolt and the crankshaft must come out. The safest way is to remove the harmonic balancer pully, reintall the 3 bolts and use a bar/pipe/ rebar, etc. between the bolts to turn the motor.

You know that could work if I used longer bolts..

 

[thumpar]

I don't have a alignment tool is why I didn't want to pull drive.

Just removing the drive doesn't make the alignment wrong. If it is wrong after removing the drive it was wrong before you removed the drive. It should be checked every year. If you are going to do your own work you will need the proper tools and lots of time. Boating is not a cheap hobby.

 

[boatermarquis]

Ok for some reason book said to always use alignment tool before reinstalling drive.maybe that's just for doing gimble.

 

[thumpar]

Ok for some reason book said to always use alignment tool before reinstalling drive.maybe that's just for doing gimble.

No. It should be done every year even if parts are not replaced. What manual are you using?

 

[Bt Doctur]

check the oil level and look for water in the drive by loosening the bottom plug to see what dribbles out first.clean oil, black oil, vanilla color, no oil.
Next, check the motor oil level and condition. well above full mark indicates water below the oil in most cases.