Motor Tight After Rebuild.

[MingOK]

Sent engine and crank to shop for re-work. Crank turns freely. After installing pistons it was fairly easy to turn. The rear upper oil seal made it quite a bit tighter and after installing the oil pan and front cover its pretty tight. I am a little concerned that the starter may not have enough grunt to turn it over. Is there anything to be done to loosen it up other than generous lube and turning by hand?

 

[Duner Wi]

I would tow it if you think the starter is up to the task.

 

[G1000VISTA]

I wouldn't start it till you figure out why it got tight. Is the crank straight? Plastiguage on all the bearings?

 

[Hobo,NC]

Sent engine and crank to shop for re-work. Crank turns freely. After installing pistons it was fairly easy to turn. The rear upper oil seal made it quite a bit tighter and after installing the oil pan and front cover its pretty tight. I am a little concerned that the starter may not have enough grunt to turn it over. Is there anything to be done to loosen it up other than generous lube and turning by hand?

If all was good till you installed the oil pan proceed. I check one after I installed the oil pan it took 90 ft pound of toque to turn the crank. Its that crazy arse rear seal it burns in.

 

[teddy52food]

Last one I rebuilt we had to pull start it also. Which is good as you can get full oil pressure built up before turning the ign on. Those seals will loosen up after it runs for a while.

 

[MingOK]

I wouldn't start it till you figure out why it got tight. Is the crank straight? Plastiguage on all the bearings?

Crank spun easy. Even with pistons in it was easy. Rear seal made it really stiff.

 

[showcrop]

Crank spun easy. Even with pistons in it was easy. Rear seal made it really stiff.

What type of seal?

 

[Destroked 450]

Those old rope seals make a engine hard to roll over until the engine has run some to wear them in
We usually pull started them the first time because the starter and battery couldn’t spin them over fast enough

 

[Jim in LA]

My '49 was the same way, i made sure everything was torqued and pre lubed. I kept the six volt system and the engine fired off on the third revolution and ran great. The '51 wasn't as tight.