How can i get my engine unlocked it will not turnover but i can hear the starter catching the engine?

Question

I have a 1973 seacamper house boat that my grandfather gave me. My mother told me that the last time he had it on the water was about 20 years ago and it ran great. He never winterized the boat and this is why I believe the engine is locked up. I need some advise on how I can get the thing to turnover.

Answer 1

If that engine has sat for twenty years it is very doubtful it will turn over. Most likely one or more pistons have rusted themselves to the cylinder walls. Squirting WD40 in the spark plug holes and then attempting to turn it with a breaker bar might move it but you'll most likely break some if not all the piston rings in the process. Your best bet is to pull the engine, tear it down and see if it's worth overhauling. If not then replace it with a rebuilt shortblock. Good luck.

Answer 2

IF it's not just the starter...pull all the plugs...go to the parts store and get some crc556. Spray all the cylinders down good with this. Let it set for a day and do it again. Put a good battery in it and try to crank it. you may need to put a socket and ratchet on the front pulley and give it a nudge. do this for a couple of days.

Now the problem you may end up with is that once you get it to turn over and start...it will probably smoke real bad...part of this will be from the crc. but odds are the rings are seized and will eventually need replaced.

I've done this with old engines and it does work...let the crc do it's job.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Try turning the crankshaft with the spark plugs out. Pour several ounces of marvel mystery oil into each cylinder. Let that soak for a few days. Try working the crankshaft in both directions without using too much force. Once you get it to turn spin it over with the starter to expel the oil from the cylinders. Drain the crankcase & fill with fresh motor oil. Now you can start troubleshooting the other problems you will have. Good luck

Answer 4

Aint gonna happen. Put a new engine in the boat. The pistons have very likely become one with the cylinder walls, and the crankshaft is probably rusted. Would be cheaper to replace the engine than to fix the current one.

Answer 5

pull all of the spark plugs and spray a generous amount of spray lube such as wd40 into all of the cylinders. let it set over night or several hours. put a breaker bar with whatever size nut is in the middle of the harmonic balancer (main pulley at the bottom of the motor), turn it clockwise just like you would be tightning the bolt and it should crack loose

Answer 6

Remove ALL the spark plugs.
Squirt some lube oil into each spark plug hole.
Come back the next day and turn the key.

If the engine doen't turn, you're out of luck.

Answer 7

puul the spark plugs and spray some wd40 into the cylinders all of them then let it sit and use a socket to turn the engine over by the crank pulley if you can't repeat above until you can