Bolting converter

[Swedchevy67]

Just put my 350 automatic in place and bolt it up. Find one hope to mount the converter to the flywheel
Now to my problem:
I can't turn the flywheel to position to mount the other two bolts. The crankshaft is stuck, can't move it.
The car has not being driven for two years, and I suspect that it might be some rust in the engine or maybe. I didn't drain the engine from water, so maybe I have some bad head gasket.
Need help here

[truckster]

Pull the spark plugs and put some penetrating oil in each cylinder. Let it sit overnight before you try to turn it over by hand. Leave the spark plugs out when you do so you don't have to fight the compression.

[B. W.]

X2 on truckster. Also, I use a screwdriver or small pry bar to turn the flexplate using the teeth on the flexplate. You have more leverage this way.

You can also remove the one bolt you have in the torque converter, slide the converter back away from the flexplate & see if the engine will crank over with the starter. this will confirm if the engine is locked up or not.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by B. W.

X2 on truckster. Also, I use a screwdriver or small pry bar to turn the flexplate using the teeth on the flexplate. You have more leverage this way.

You can also remove the one bolt you have in the torque converter, slide the converter back away from the flexplate & see if the engine will crank over with the starter. this will confirm if the engine is locked up or not.

I will do that tomorrow
Thanks
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[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by truckster

Pull the spark plugs and put some penetrating oil in each cylinder. Let it sit overnight before you try to turn it over by hand. Leave the spark plugs out when you do so you don't have to fight the compression.

Yes, the sparkplugs are out and I allso put pil in the holes
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[Bigdav160]

My first question is does the converter spin without being bolted the flywheel? It should!

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

My first question is does the converter spin without being bolted the flywheel? It should!

Yes, no problem there.
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[custom10nut]

My first question is, why would you be trying to bolt a tranny to an engine that's locked up?
Take all the plugs out and see if you can get it to rotate by hand. If there's water in the cylinders, you'll push it out, without damaging anything.
Pull the dipstick to see if your oil is milky. Check the coolant for the same.
This will tell you the condition of the engine.
If you're concerned about rust in the cylinders, spray some penetrating oil in each cylinder, let it sit for a day, then turn it over.
If you're lucky, the engine is ok, then you can easily rotate the flexplate to bolt on the converter.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

My first question is, why would you be trying to bolt a tranny to an engine that's locked up?
Take all the plugs out and see if you can get it to rotate by hand. If there's water in the cylinders, you'll push it out, without damaging anything.
Pull the dipstick to see if your oil is milky. Check the coolant for the same.
This will tell you the condition of the engine.
If you're concerned about rust in the cylinders, spray some penetrating oil in each cylinder, let it sit for a day, then turn it over.
If you're lucky, the engine is ok, then you can easily rotate the flexplate to bolt on the converter.

Thanks, I need all suggestions I can get

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

My first question is, why would you be trying to bolt a tranny to an engine that's locked up?
Take all the plugs out and see if you can get it to rotate by hand. If there's water in the cylinders, you'll push it out, without damaging anything.
Pull the dipstick to see if your oil is milky. Check the coolant for the same.
This will tell you the condition of the engine.
If you're concerned about rust in the cylinders, spray some penetrating oil in each cylinder, let it sit for a day, then turn it over.
If you're lucky, the engine is ok, then you can easily rotate the flexplate to bolt on the converter.

Even if it's been stored in warm garage? Scary thoughts!

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

My first question is does the converter spin without being bolted the flywheel? It should!

Yes, no problem at all.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

My first question is does the converter spin without being bolted the flywheel? It should!

How much "force" can I use?

[truckster]

The torque convertor should rotate with little resistance when it's not bolted to the engine.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by truckster

The torque convertor should rotate with little resistance when it's not bolted to the engine.

I didn`t mean the convertor, I meant the flywheel.
The convertor rotate smoothly.
Thanks

[hamjet]

maybe not the problem but does the converter slide back away from the flexplate about 3/4 inch when not bolted? that makes sure its aligned into the tranny pump.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by hamjet

maybe not the problem but does the converter slide back away from the flexplate about 3/4 inch when not bolted? that makes sure its aligned into the tranny pump.

No problem. It's in the right position.
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[LongBox]

If an engine was "put away" without proper preparation, a two year time is enough to seize the engine. If it was put away fully hot, and with clean oil in it, plus some oil in each cylinder, it should be fine.

A friend of mine bought a car that had sat for 6 years. We could not turn the engine over even with a 3 foot bar on a 3/4 inch socket. In fact, we broke a socket trying.

You may be looking at taking the engine apart here, so no point bolting up the tranny.

[davepl]

Here's how my friend did it on a seized engine:

- Soak each cylinder for days with penetrating oil
- Eventually break it free but only a few degrees on the crank so the piston moves 1/2" or so
- Repeat, wait a half day, move piston another 1/2", repeat

Not sure why they did those steps, but he's a knowledgeable guy, so I tend to emulate him on things like this!

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by davepl

Here's how my friend did it on a seized engine:

- Soak each cylinder for days with penetrating oil
- Eventually break it free but only a few degrees on the crank so the piston moves 1/2" or so
- Repeat, wait a half day, move piston another 1/2", repeat

Not sure why they did those steps, but he's a knowledgeable guy, so I tend to emulate him on things like this!

Interesting tips and a very good suggestion.
Thanks

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by Swedchevy67

Just put my 350 automatic in place and bolt it up. Find one hope to mount the converter to the flywheel
Now to my problem:
I can't turn the flywheel to position to mount the other two bolts. The crankshaft is stuck, can't move it.
The car has not being driven for two years, and I suspect that it might be some rust in the engine or maybe. I didn't drain the engine from water, so maybe I have some bad head gasket.
Need help here

I give up now. I have tryed every tip from the forum. No water in the oil dipstick, so I belive it´s rust in the chambers.
Worst senario is to dismantel the top

[truckster]

I'm sorry. That's very frustrating. It sounds like the piston rings are rusted to the cylinder walls. A best-case scenario would be that you could replace the rings and hone the cylinders, but if you do find rust there I would recommend a complete diassembly to make sure there isn't rust elsewhere in the engine.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by truckster

I'm sorry. That's very frustrating. It sounds like the piston rings are rusted to the cylinder walls. A best-case scenario would be that you could replace the rings and hone the cylinders, but if you do find rust there I would recommend a complete diassembly to make sure there isn't rust elsewhere in the engine.

Yes, that's probably the best way to go.
Thanks

[garyd1961]

Are you sure it's the motor and not the trans? Unbolt the converter and try to turn the motor.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by garyd1961

Are you sure it's the motor and not the trans? Unbolt the converter and try to turn the motor.

I did and I also slacked all the fan belt. I might have turn it, but just a little bit.
I put a small screwdriver in the spark holes and in some holes the screwdriver
did go all way in, and in some it didn't. So a few off the cylinder didn't get the lubricants I hope for.

[Swedchevy67]

Originally Posted by Swedchevy67

Just put my 350 automatic in place and bolt it up. Find one hope to mount the converter to the flywheel
Now to my problem:
I can't turn the flywheel to position to mount the other two bolts. The crankshaft is stuck, can't move it.
The car has not being driven for two years, and I suspect that it might be some rust in the engine or maybe. I didn't drain the engine from water, so maybe I have some bad head gasket.
Need help here

I must be the dumbest truck owner ever!!!!!
There's nothing wrong with my motor or flywheel. It's the bolts who are too long.
I used the bolts from the manual transmission to bolt the new flywheel with.
I went under and there it was, the bolts has aligned to the block and pinched
it.
At the same time I'm 😁 that I kept my brain in the ..hole