Engine won’t turn over

[Sibuk333]

I recently bought a 20’ Baretta cuddy with a 1989 Volvo penta 125A with a 270 outdrive. My problem is I cannot get engine to make a full rotation. I originally thought it was seized but after tearing it down to the pistons I no longer believe it is. Everything is clean and rust free. I can put a breaker bar on main bearing and move it about half an inch in either direction but no further then that. Any suggestions? What else could be seized or could it be something else not allowing engine to make a full rotation? Could it be an issue with the gears? I believe I have the outdrive in neutral but shouldn’t it still turn over if it was in gear?

 

[GA_Boater]

Moved this thread to the proper section. Why did you think it should be in our FAQ section?

 

[cptbill]

Typically, if you get some movement but not a full rotation I would think you should be looking at connecting rods or a valve that has broken(or valve spring)

 

[Sibuk333]

I’ve examined all connecting rods and valves and all seems to be good

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, pull the drive
second, pull the spark plugs

if it doesnt turn over, pull the motor and put it on an engine stand and find out what is stuck.

 

[kenny nunez]

2xs on Scott. Before you pull the drive remove the drain plug and watch what drains out.

 

[Sibuk333]

I’ve drained oil and it’s golden brown and water free. No bits of metal or anything out of the ordinary. I am so confused as to why it won’t spin freely there’s just nothing else I can think of that would be seizing

 

[kenny nunez]

What does the drive shaft bellows look like? If it is torn then the only other thing could be the bearing in the housing that connects the engine to the drive.

 

[Sibuk333]

The bellows are in great shape they were replaced by last owner only a year ago. Like I said, everything internally is completely rust free and there’s good oil coating everything important. This is a real head scratcher

 

[Scott Danforth]

did you pull the drive? yes or no? if not, pull the drive, then try the motor again.

if still no joy, pull the plugs.

if still no joy, pull the motor. you will be tearing it apart.

 

[QBhoy]

Pull the plugs first. See what happens.

 

[Sibuk333]

Pull the plugs first. See what happens.

The spark plugs? I’m down to the cylinder head. Pistons are exposed

 

[Scott Danforth]

The spark plugs? I’m down to the cylinder head. Pistons are exposed

Then pull the drive

 

[QBhoy]

The spark plugs? I’m down to the cylinder head. Pistons are exposed

Got to be the outdrive then. If there is nothing staring at you in cylinders that’s obviously dry or sticking.

 

[bruceb58]

And...you don't need to pull the whole drive...just the upper drive housing.

 

[Sibuk333]

I think I’m gonna pull the whole drive. Any videos or instructions on how to do that? Could this be from u-joints seizing?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I think I’m gonna pull the whole drive. Any videos or instructions on how to do that? Could this be from u-joints seizing?

look at the stickies

 

[Sibuk333]

look at the stickies

Stickies?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Stickies are the permenant posts "stuck" to the tops of the forums like a sticky note. About 95% of your questions will be covered there. Including how to remove a drive.

 

[Sibuk333]

So I haven’t pulled engine or drive yet, but I was doing some more investigation and found that when I put a breaker bar on the main bearing of engine I can turn it about an inch in either direction before it gets jammed up, but if I keep applying pressure I can turn the outdrive left or right all the way. Is this supposed to happen? And when I go below to the outdrive and manually push it from side to side the pistons move up and down. I linked a video. Is this what’s causing engine to not make a full rotation? Can something in the drive be seized?
View attachment IMG_4099.MOV