Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

[baurand]

What could this mean. I felt I might have a bad starter. A mechanic told me to put a wrench on the crankshaft pulley and turn it about a quarter turn, just to make sure it is the starter and not some missing teeth in the flywheel. I got a wrench and put it on the center bolt. But turns out I didn't even need the wrench. The pulley turned by hand, moved the belt and turned the alternator. Should it really turn like this, or is this a sign of something letting loose? Also, when I turn the pulley, shouldn't the prop turn as well if I have the shifter in the forward position? Oh yeah, 1985 OMC with GM 350 block. Thanks.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

do a compression test.. engine may be worn out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

If you only turned it a quarter of a turn, there is part of the turn where there is no compression. Try turning further by hand, and I would bet the prop will turn too.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

where you actually turning the engine over or was it just the balancer spinning on the end of the crank?
a 350 is a big motor to spin by hand, even with the plugs out.


Start with the original problem.... why do you think you have a bad starter??? what's it doing or not doing?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

I just feel like somebody has to ask this question as well so it might as well be me...Did you turn the CRANK pulley, the one with the big 1+ inch bolt at the bottom front of the engine? or the engine's water pump pulley at the middle front of the engine?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

Did you turn the CRANK pulley, the one with the big 1+ inch bolt at the bottom front of the engine?

Ayuh,....

Mine takes a 5/8" socket,... But it still should be turning Much Harder than described....

 

[baurand]

Re: Crankshaft Pulley Turns Too Easily?

I have some updates. I've taken some of your advise. Turns out I was turning the water pump pulley and not the crankshaft. So I turned the crankshaft (MUCH harder to turn). Tried to start, and again the starter would not engage the flywheel. So I pulled the starter and connected it with jumper cables to a new battery. The starter spins, but the bendix never came out. I have a new starter arriving Tuesday. Hopefully this will solve the problem.