Rebuilt engine won't turn over
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 983
From: Ohio
No worries, the ring gap can't lock up a motor.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,671
Likes: 3,967
From: Near Yosemite
So, because I've not had this situation happen to me, if the rings ARE stuck to the cylinder walls, and the diesel fuel, and oil loosen everything up, how much damage has already occured to the cylinder walls at that point? And should it come back apart for a quick honing and ring check? I just feel after all that time/$$$/effort, I'd want my cylinder walls and piston rings damage free for a fresh rebuild.......... Just me??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,459
Likes: 672
From: Vancouver Island B.C.
You also seem like a fountain of knowledge. All you do is pick on Rounders.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,281
Likes: 3,687
From: backwoods
I rebuilt my 09 t/c got everything back together, but the engine won't turn over. Opened up the primary and removed the chain and tensioner. The issue is the drive sprocket won't rotate. I can put up to the torque limit of 140 ft lbs on the bolt and the engine still will not rotate. It was rotating, when I assembled the engine, install pushrods, rocker plates and you have to find TDC.
It did sit for about three months after being rebuilt. I have fiberoptic camera and inspected the jugs through the spark plug openings and everything looks bright and clean.
Any ideas as to the issue and corrective measures?
BP
It did sit for about three months after being rebuilt. I have fiberoptic camera and inspected the jugs through the spark plug openings and everything looks bright and clean.
Any ideas as to the issue and corrective measures?
BP
Did he turn it over with engine bolted together, before he let it sit for 3 months, Did he oil the walls, as part of his assembly process?
He is has never worked on a harley, just runs his mouth at people who have. I have come to realize we are in a generation that lashes out at the people who have done what they fail to do.
Last edited by Rounders; Feb 21, 2024 at 09:20 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 983
From: Ohio
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 2,223
From: College Station, TX
I may have missed it, but was the primary chain in place and the compensator bolt fully torqued when you were adjusting the pushrods? And were the speak plugs not in the heads since you completed the pushrod adjustments?
If it was, then I agree that it's something internal and I'd start with the suggestion by DJL to add some diesel or another light lubricant and let it sit for as day or so and see if things free up. Freshly machined metal will rust quickly if not coated with oil, especially if not in a climate controlled environment.
If it doesn't free up very easily and quickly, I'd likely start disassembling things one step at a time. And I'd pull the heads to see whats going on at some point.
Paul
If it was, then I agree that it's something internal and I'd start with the suggestion by DJL to add some diesel or another light lubricant and let it sit for as day or so and see if things free up. Freshly machined metal will rust quickly if not coated with oil, especially if not in a climate controlled environment.
If it doesn't free up very easily and quickly, I'd likely start disassembling things one step at a time. And I'd pull the heads to see whats going on at some point.
Paul
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,281
Likes: 3,687
From: backwoods
Has it ever rotated by turn comp when in the frame? If so, then ya I suspect stuck rings. But not sure if I would want to break them free. But if we oiled the cylinders, I am skeptical that is it. But I wouldn't be flabbergasted if it was. What was the last condition it was in, when it turned?