302 rebuild help please

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Feb 3, 2004 | 02:00 PM

john22

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From: Pineville MO

302 rebuild help please

Hello guys I rebuilt my 302 in my 83 Bronco it was kinda tight but turned over on the engine stand so we put it in and wehn we went to tighten the torqe converter bolts we had to put a 1/2 inch drive ratchet with a cheater on the crank and a guy using a srewdriver on the flywheel to turn it we got them all started but I didnt tighten them yet I thought I would use the starter and bump it to turn the flywheel around but the starter will only turn maybe a 1/4 -1/2 inch at a time the plugs are not in it so its not compression is this normal? did I do something wrong? what can I do to get it to turn over ? any help would be appreciated thank you

Feb 3, 2004 | 04:10 PM

FordMan94

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Did you use the original rods? pistons? what was reused and what was new? if you reused the original rods and got the caps mixed up it could make it hard to turn. i've seen it first hand. some more info would be helpful.

Feb 4, 2004 | 01:16 PM

john22

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From: Pineville MO

I used original rods and pistons, end caps werent mixed up only took one off at a time

Feb 4, 2004 | 03:19 PM

FordMan94

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what was your piston ring end gap?

Feb 4, 2004 | 05:28 PM

daerhldgs2

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your problem may be the crank if it was turned or replaced, either way the motor must come out and the pan has to come off. try loosening the mains one at a time and see when the motor starts to turn free, if you get them all off and still tight start with the rods. check each main and rod cap for wear points as you take them off. Sounds as though your crank is out or your block needs to be align honed, what were the old bearings like for wear points?this will tell you if the crank is true.

Feb 6, 2004 | 02:17 PM

90f150moneypit

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From: Still under the hood in O

As daerhldgs2 said. My bet is on the mains are too tight. Been there done that.

Also check that the bearings were installed correctly. Loosen the mains and turn as mentioned. If still binding, pull a piston/rod one at a time and until it spins free. The last one you pulled when it spun free is the culprit.

Was the thrust bearing seated correctly?

Last edited by 90f150moneypit; Feb 6, 2004 at 02:22 PM.

Feb 7, 2004 | 07:31 PM

GENEUS

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I had the same problem w/ an 80 model 302 the rod bearings were mis-marked std, when we mic'd them they were .10-over.

84 E-150 302 aod
88 Ford Ranger 2.9L a4od
89 Crysler 5th Ave.