how to manually spin the engine - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gotmud · 01-13-2007, 01:41 PM

I need to spin my engine over. I have tried the following:
- remote starter switch - it buzzes but doesnt turn the engine
- bolts on the harmonic balancer - they seem to tighten more and I am afraid I will strip them out.
- tightened the belts and tried to spin the alternator - the belt just spings around

Any other ideas or tricks/tips form someone more experienced than I????

cdowns · 01-13-2007, 01:46 PM

did you take the sparkplugs out??

Sandemonium · 01-13-2007, 02:04 PM

Have you tried using a tool to rotate the flywheel. Sometimes you can get more leverage on the flywheel that on the harmonic balancer bolt.

Of course you would want to remove the spark plugs before attempting this.

Also, Is this a manual or automatic transmission? If manual is the vehcle in gear?

Just some thoughts......

gotmud · 01-13-2007, 01:53 PM

yes

**kwmech** · 01-13-2007, 01:57 PM

How about a large screwdriver on the flywheel

gotmud · 01-13-2007, 01:59 PM

Could be...but I was hoping for some majic to keep me top side.....Im trying to find TDC for I can make sure my dizzy is in right.

gotmud · 01-13-2007, 02:08 PM

The engine is in the truck. Its an auto tranny in park. The plugs are removed. Headers are on.

cdowns · 01-13-2007, 02:33 PM

put bolts(3-4inch long) in balancer then use a long lever(prybar) between the bolts

Elsie72 · 01-13-2007, 02:40 PM

Deep socket and breaker bar on the nose of the crankshaft? Or is that just for Fords?

krue · 01-13-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsie72

Deep socket and breaker bar on the nose of the crankshaft? Or is that just for Fords?

You run the risk of stripping out the threads in the crank nose doing it like that.

BarryB · 01-13-2007, 04:16 PM

They make a socket that goes on the end of the crankshaft for turning the motor over.(summit racing) But that would mean you would have to pull off the harmonic balancer. Is it a new rebuilt motor?? Seems there might be something wrong if you can't turn it over by the other methods.Even a fresh motor should spin with the crank bolt. Hope you figure it out.

gotmud · 01-13-2007, 04:20 PM

Heres what I did...
- Took an old fan belt
- jamed it up the end of a piece of black pipe
- secured the end in the pipe with a screwdriver
- wrapped the protruding belt around the crank pully
- bingo....spins like a champ

must have been old and creapy like me....

krue · 01-13-2007, 07:23 PM

Sounds like a homemade strap wrench to me.

PumiceMan · 01-13-2007, 10:17 PM

I've always just used a 5/8 socket and breaker bar on the balancer bolt. With the sparkplugs out, it shouldn't be too hard to turn. The torque applied doesn't seem too high - I've been able to do this and turn it counter-clockwise without loosening the harmonic balancer bolt (with a 1/2" drive ratchet to boot).

There are a couple of crankshaft snout sockets that you can use (one that's round on the outside with a 1/2" drive hole, and the other shaped like a big 6-sided nut), but these do require you to remove the balancer. I think there's also another tool that looks like part of a balancer puller, that attaches to the face of the balancer by bolting it in the three pulley holes, but then you've got to pull the crankshaft pulley to use it (which means also getting the balancer bolt out). cdowns's idea above would work without having to remove the center bolt.

hvychve · 01-13-2007, 10:27 PM

manualy turning an engine shouldnt take much effort, the 5/8" socket on the front crank bolt shouldnt require enought turning torque that it might break, this would indicate to me that there is somthing wrong, remove the flex plate cover and pry the teeth of the flywheel against the transmission case , if you cant turn the engine at all , sounds like engine is locked up , either threw a rod or if its a new engine and wasnt lubed thouroughly enough during instalation, you can open the throttle plates on the carb and dump about half a quart of oil straight down the throat, this will allow the oil to seep down onto the cylinders and hopefully loosen up a tight new rebuild that maybe was lightly lubed during rebuildd , if this is not the case. remove the engine and rebuild it. or find the cause of why its locked up. hope this helps.

1BadSS · 01-13-2007, 10:28 PM

Usually you can just grab on the balancer and turn the motor over by hand with the plugs out.

01-13-2007, 01:41 PM	#1
gotmud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 234	how to manually spin the engine I need to spin my engine over. I have tried the following: - remote starter switch - it buzzes but doesnt turn the engine - bolts on the harmonic balancer - they seem to tighten more and I am afraid I will strip them out. - tightened the belts and tried to spin the alternator - the belt just spings around Any other ideas or tricks/tips form someone more experienced than I???? __________________ Glenn Cumming, Ga (68 C/10 Fleetside LWB 307 (64 C/10 Fleetside Shorty Custom 350, with 73 donor parts aplenty) (2001 Porsche Boxster S - 168 MPH of fun) (2005 Chevy Avalanche Z71 1500)

01-13-2007, 01:46 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: how to manually spin the engine did you take the sparkplugs out?? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-13-2007, 02:04 PM	#3
Sandemonium Proud owner of a 55.1 AD Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desert Hills, AZ Posts: 460	Re: how to manually spin the engine Have you tried using a tool to rotate the flywheel. Sometimes you can get more leverage on the flywheel that on the harmonic balancer bolt. Of course you would want to remove the spark plugs before attempting this. Also, Is this a manual or automatic transmission? If manual is the vehcle in gear? Just some thoughts......

01-13-2007, 01:53 PM	#4
gotmud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 234	Re: how to manually spin the engine yes __________________ Glenn Cumming, Ga (68 C/10 Fleetside LWB 307 (64 C/10 Fleetside Shorty Custom 350, with 73 donor parts aplenty) (2001 Porsche Boxster S - 168 MPH of fun) (2005 Chevy Avalanche Z71 1500)

01-13-2007, 01:57 PM	#5
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,679	Re: how to manually spin the engine How about a large screwdriver on the flywheel

01-13-2007, 01:59 PM	#6
gotmud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 234	Re: how to manually spin the engine Could be...but I was hoping for some majic to keep me top side.....Im trying to find TDC for I can make sure my dizzy is in right. __________________ Glenn Cumming, Ga (68 C/10 Fleetside LWB 307 (64 C/10 Fleetside Shorty Custom 350, with 73 donor parts aplenty) (2001 Porsche Boxster S - 168 MPH of fun) (2005 Chevy Avalanche Z71 1500)

01-13-2007, 02:08 PM	#7
gotmud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 234	Re: how to manually spin the engine The engine is in the truck. Its an auto tranny in park. The plugs are removed. Headers are on. __________________ Glenn Cumming, Ga (68 C/10 Fleetside LWB 307 (64 C/10 Fleetside Shorty Custom 350, with 73 donor parts aplenty) (2001 Porsche Boxster S - 168 MPH of fun) (2005 Chevy Avalanche Z71 1500)

01-13-2007, 02:33 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: how to manually spin the engine put bolts(3-4inch long) in balancer then use a long lever(prybar) between the bolts __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-13-2007, 02:40 PM	#9
Elsie72 Chinook Arch Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: High River, Alberta, Canada Posts: 218	Re: how to manually spin the engine Deep socket and breaker bar on the nose of the crankshaft? Or is that just for Fords? __________________ 1972 GMC 1500 Custom - Bought used by Grandpa in '74, currently back on the road after a long hiatus. Elsie's truck 2.5" dual exhaust with Hooker Aero Chambers Holley 670 Street Avenger Edelbrock Performer RPM on GMPP 290HP 350 ECE drop 3.5/5

01-13-2007, 04:16 PM	#11
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: how to manually spin the engine They make a socket that goes on the end of the crankshaft for turning the motor over.(summit racing) But that would mean you would have to pull off the harmonic balancer. Is it a new rebuilt motor?? Seems there might be something wrong if you can't turn it over by the other methods.Even a fresh motor should spin with the crank bolt. Hope you figure it out. Last edited by BarryB; 01-13-2007 at 04:17 PM.

01-13-2007, 04:20 PM	#12
gotmud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 234	Re: how to manually spin the engine Heres what I did... - Took an old fan belt - jamed it up the end of a piece of black pipe - secured the end in the pipe with a screwdriver - wrapped the protruding belt around the crank pully - bingo....spins like a champ must have been old and creapy like me.... __________________ Glenn Cumming, Ga (68 C/10 Fleetside LWB 307 (64 C/10 Fleetside Shorty Custom 350, with 73 donor parts aplenty) (2001 Porsche Boxster S - 168 MPH of fun) (2005 Chevy Avalanche Z71 1500)

01-13-2007, 07:23 PM	#13
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: how to manually spin the engine Sounds like a homemade strap wrench to me. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-13-2007, 10:17 PM	#14
PumiceMan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 47	Re: how to manually spin the engine I've always just used a 5/8 socket and breaker bar on the balancer bolt. With the sparkplugs out, it shouldn't be too hard to turn. The torque applied doesn't seem too high - I've been able to do this and turn it counter-clockwise without loosening the harmonic balancer bolt (with a 1/2" drive ratchet to boot). There are a couple of crankshaft snout sockets that you can use (one that's round on the outside with a 1/2" drive hole, and the other shaped like a big 6-sided nut), but these do require you to remove the balancer. I think there's also another tool that looks like part of a balancer puller, that attaches to the face of the balancer by bolting it in the three pulley holes, but then you've got to pull the crankshaft pulley to use it (which means also getting the balancer bolt out). cdowns's idea above would work without having to remove the center bolt. __________________ 69 GMC Sierra 1500 Custom 68 Camaro SS 18 GMC Sierra SLT Living the dream

01-13-2007, 10:27 PM	#15
hvychve To The Levy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: california Posts: 391	Re: how to manually spin the engine manualy turning an engine shouldnt take much effort, the 5/8" socket on the front crank bolt shouldnt require enought turning torque that it might break, this would indicate to me that there is somthing wrong, remove the flex plate cover and pry the teeth of the flywheel against the transmission case , if you cant turn the engine at all , sounds like engine is locked up , either threw a rod or if its a new engine and wasnt lubed thouroughly enough during instalation, you can open the throttle plates on the carb and dump about half a quart of oil straight down the throat, this will allow the oil to seep down onto the cylinders and hopefully loosen up a tight new rebuild that maybe was lightly lubed during rebuildd , if this is not the case. remove the engine and rebuild it. or find the cause of why its locked up. hope this helps.

01-13-2007, 10:28 PM	#16
1BadSS NOT REALLY BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,072	Re: how to manually spin the engine Usually you can just grab on the balancer and turn the motor over by hand with the plugs out. __________________ 1987 Mustang Coupe - 2.7 Stroker, 78mm turbo, Stainless header, 3" Exh, FMIC, 160lb/hr Injectors, MS3, twin walbro 255's, 34psi. Eating V8's daily. 04 Pontiac GTO 04 Ford Mustang GT 68 C20 LWB stripper truck 73 K5 Cheyenne 76 C20 Sierra Crew SRW 88 K20 Suburban I'm not hammering on metal just to hammer, i'm creating a piece of art.



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