Engine: stuck engine, have i missed something?

[kenny b]

Well guys I'm puzzled, I have a 1950 2R5 pick up I'm in the begining stages of restoring. The engine is locked up. I took the radiator out and the fan off, put a huge socket and cheater bar on it and tried to get the engine to turn over, no luck. This morning I puller the starter thinking it may me locked up and engaged, nada. Next I pulled the head, pistons and valves look good, the cylinders that the intake was open have some very light surface rust but otherwise look good. I poured some diesel in the cylinders and gonna let it set till monday, then if I can't get it loosened up I guess I'll pull the engine and start tearing it down, have I missed something?

[tluz]

I had an oddball one recently, but I'm not sure it's similar to your situation. I'm working on an Avanti with a 289. When I reinstalled the clutch (using a generic aligning tool) apparently it went in a couple of sixteenths off center. The clutch housing got hung up on the lobes of the bell housing. I realigned the clutch and, to be safe, shaved a few hundredths off the lobes. All is well now. Anyway, if your clutch has been off the truck and reinstalled, it might be worth a peek.

[52-fan]

It sounds like you are on the right track. That little bit of surface rust probably applies to the rings and the pistons don't want to move. Some people would just throw a chain on the front of the truck, pull it and pop the clutch, but if it has been sitting a long time soaking the cylinders with lube is better.

[JDP]

It sounds like you are on the right track. That little bit of surface rust probably applies to the rings and the pistons don't want to move. Some people would just throw a chain on the front of the truck, pull it and pop the clutch, but if it has been sitting a long time soaking the cylinders with lube is better.

Soak the bores and valve stems with a 50/50 acetone/ATF mix overnight. Pick a piston about half way down the bore for the most crank shaft leverage and beat the crap out of it with a hammer against a wood block on the piston top, Repeat on the other pistons if needed. You may see the atf mix get all rusty looking as you knock the rust off the bores.

[Kurt]

Be care full with that pull and pop the clutch thing. I bent a connecting rod once by doing that

It sounds like you are on the right track. That little bit of surface rust probably applies to the rings and the pistons don't want to move. Some people would just throw a chain on the front of the truck, pull it and pop the clutch, but if it has been sitting a long time soaking the cylinders with lube is better.

[brngarage]

Silly question; Are you sure the transmission is in neutral? Stranger things have happened to all of us.

[kenny b]

yeah its in neutral, i guess we'll just pull the engine and get it rebuilt, we'll find out then what it is.....

[jts359]

years ago I brought a R-1 Avanti w/a stuck engine and performed all the above and then some except popping the clutch or pounding on pistons Finally tore the engine down , Frozen wrist pins was the culprit , You would have thought someone had put loctite on them , They made dismantling the engine a bear !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[55s]

If its a standard, the clutch will sometimes stick and it may seem as though the engine is stuck when it is not - it IS in gear.

[poweroptions]

Sounds like the clutch might be stuck. Put it in reverse and pull it a few (10-15) feet with a chain or tow rope. This should break the clutch loose. I just went thru a similar situation a year ago and my old time mechanic taught me this and he was right. I had a car that had sat for 20 years. I couldn't budge the motor. I had soaked each chamber for several days with Marvel oil and it wouldn't budge. George came over in my frustration. George yanked the car backwards in reverse hard. In 20 minutes it was running and did not require a rebuild. Nor did I need a new clutch. It is running today with 40lbs of oil pressure, and no blow by. Best luck to you.

[kenny b]

gonna work on it some more tomorrow, I'll try pulling it in reverse and pulling it, we'll see what happens.