Engine Install, Crankshaft Won't Turn

[wood47]

Just need a sanity check before I pull the engine back out. Pulled the engine awhile back to replace a core plug, but ended up replacing some other things while it was out. Replaced the harmonic balancer, timing chain, water pump, new gaskets, etc. Crankshaft spun freely while it was on the stand.

A move necessitates getting it back on frame, so got it back in last weekend with some difficulty. Realized I forgot to put it at TDC so I can reinstall the distributor. Put the transmission in neutral and tried to turn the crankshaft. But it seems frozen, I'm not getting any movement at the harmonic balancer bolt at all. Double checked I'm in neutral, nothing.

I'm assuming I missed something in reconnecting the transmission, but what are some possible things to check? Would it be easier to drop the transmission or pull the engine again?

 

[Wild horse 75]

I have a feeling your torque converter isn’t in place and you’ve now jammed it against the pump. See if you can wiggle the converter a bit. If you can’t try loosening off the bell housing bolts. If that’s what has happened you’ll have to make the decision which to get out of the way cause you’ll need to seat the converter into the pump properly before reconnecting them again.

 

[gnpenning]

I would unbolt the torque converter and push it back out of the way. Yes, I know they are a little ignorant to get to the bolts.


Can you give a little more information on the difficulties you had reinstalling.

As to which is easier to pull, really depends on what you have to assist in removing them.

 

[Broncobowsher]

If automatic, probably a pinched front pump from an incorrect convertor install.
Did you get the convertor nuts installed? Did you have to suck up the transmission to the engine with the bellhousing bolts?

If stick shift, I have other ideas about transmission being gear bound. Clutch issues should still let the engine rotate. Unless there is something strange with excessivly long bolts bottoming out against the block.

 

[73azbronco]

spark plugs in? oiled cylinder walls? Yeah that can be tough to turn.

 

[chuddy]

If the converter was incorrectly installed, you likely killed the pump.