Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

[tcgravy]

I understand that you are supposed to turn the crank over by hand, with a large wrench, by turning the center nut on the harmonic balancer.

I have attempted to turn this with a 1/2 breaker bar and the engine will not budge.

First off - I need to turn the nut on the harmonic "righty tighty" to turn the crank, right? that would be looking at the motor from the front towards the back, turning it clockwise.

Second off - how difficult is this thing to turn over? I could have pushed harder / gotten a longer pipe, but I didn't really want to break anything. And yes, the spark plugs are out.


Engine is a 350 mercruiser, 1987

 

[thumpar]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

It shouldn't be too hard. I tighten the lugs on my van with much more force than it should take to turn the motor.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

Ayuh,... Pull the Sparkplugs 1st......

 

[buggiedad_67]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

you dont say why you are doing this, but if the plugs are out like you said, it should be east to trun over, has it been sitting up? if you can not trun it at all sounds like something is locked up, time to find out just what

 

[JustJason]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

if you cant spin it with the plugs out... pull the drive... if you still can't spin it (in either direction with the drive off, but only clockwise with the drive on)
you.... are...... scaaaarreeeewwwwed......

 

[brunolund]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

agree with above. a frozen drive will seen like a frozen engine, but it,s easier to remove the drive and then test. you should be able to turn both by hand when they are separate. either way, start digging for some cash.

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

Maybe the oil/water/milkshake being 2 inches high on the dipstick from water intrusion is making it harder to turn over?

 

[tcgravy]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

Keep in mind that the motor was turned over 2 days ago (with the key) and the motor was running just fine a week ago (before taking the head off and replacing head gasket, water in the oil)

 

[JustJason]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

doesn't take long for the cylinders to rust up......
pour some transmission oil in the cylinders and let it sit a few days... then with the plugs out try it again with the key or by hand.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

does it budge with the starter? maybe the starter is stuck engaged

 

[tcgravy]

Re: Turning crank by hand, harmonic balancer

Thanks for the help guys.

Sprayed some WD-40 into the plug holes, then crank turned over no problem with a 1/2" driver. I just wasnt in the best spot back in the engine compartment to get good leverage on it - also wasnt sure how difficult it was to turn and really didnt feel like breaking anything, so I dont think I was trying hard enough.

Thanks again...