hi,
ive got the crankshaft and piston assembly installed in my 351w engine and all clearances are correct. should i be able to spin the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft "snout"? i can't spin it by hand without a pair of vice grips on the front of the crankshaft. is this normal, or is there somethingwrong with my work?
thanks,
carl

 

Once you install the pistons you shouldn't be able to spin by hand anymore. I hope you aren't clamping the vise grips to the crank snout. You gonna catvh he** trying to get the vibration damper on if you scar up the snout.

 

hi,

i was getting nervous about that. the snout isn't screwed up, i taped the ends of the vise grips before using it to turn the engine. you dont happened to know the size of the bolt that treads into the snout do you?
thanks,
carl

 

No I don't know the size of the bolt off hand, but if you have the motor on a stand you can put in two on the flywheel bolts on the end of the crank and turn using a large screw or prybar.

 

ok,

ill have to buy some of those too today, this motor came with nothing at all when i bought it.
thanks,
carl