I am getting ready to fire up my 300 rebuild. Even though I checked clearances during assembly, it seems a bit hard to turn over using a breaker bar on the crank pulley.
Does anyone have a ballpark idea of how many foot pounds of torque would be required to turn over a stock rebuild without plugs installed?
Thanks.,...jack

 

Did you set the ring end gaps?

 

I think I did, but I don't remember. It was a year ago. It is bored .020. If it is too tight, that is probably the problem. The crank and cam spin freely without pistons. I just don't how tight is too tight. Thanks for your reply.,...jack

 

I don't have a # for rotating force required.

I almost hate to say this. But if you are worried about it you are better off tearing it back down and rechecking everything. If it's too tight and you try to fire it up you could do a lot of damage.

 

With the earlier thick rings and strut pistons about 20 - 25 lb ft.

With the later thin metric rings on hypereutectic pistons significantly less.

 

Thanks, FTF. I think I am right at 20-25 lbs. I have the old type pistons/rings. This is the only 300 I have assembled. I was concerned because it seemed like more drag than the 289 and 302 V8s I am more accustomed to. Thanks to all.,...jack

 

Flyer, "platform-honing" wouldn't alter those figures significantly, would it?

 

I think plateau honing may decrease t.t.t. but I have no data to support it - that I can remember. At any rate it would reduce running friction.