While I'm waiting for the brake master cylinder I moved on to the engine, and my worst fears where realized. The engine was frozen. I've removed the radiator and tryed turning the crank bolt. No good. So I've removed the spark plugs and put oil down the cylinders, and now I'm sitting tight. But as I sit here I'm thinking I'm in over my head, if I can get this thing unfrozen am I still looking at a engine rebuild? Comments...advice....please help! Pete
if it is seized from sitting even if you get it to free up most likely the rings will crack after sticking to cylinder wall
Pete, There is a good chance TLEA is right, but I have been lucky on a couple of engines and put thousands of miles on after wards without problems, so sometimes it works out OK. Is the car an auto or 4 speed? If its a 4 speed put in in gear and rock it back and forth. That will usually break it free especially if the oil had a chance to soak in. If it an auto, it may take a sizable breaker bar on the crank bolt to break it free. Once free, add a bit more oil and turn it over by hand about a dozen times. Then go with the starter and crank it over for awhile. Then put it all together, fire it up, and hope for the best. Jay
If the car still has its # matching block You may want to rethink starting it unless you are sure it is spining freely. The last thing you want to do is damage that block. Dominic
I wish it was manual so i could do that but its auto. All im doing on that crank bolt is tightening it. I'll see if the oil has helped later today. Thanks for the advice and tips keep em coming. Pete
I used Marvel Mystery oil on an old engine i had and it freed it up. I add some to gas tank every other fill up in my 65.
Marvel Mystery oil is the best..it worked well on a 66 I have that sat for 20 years.. be patient..I poured it down the cylinders and the carb..a week later..everything was free!! had to spend more time getting fuel problems worked out than worrying about a motor rebuild...
Marvel mystery oil is what I used, good to know all the cool kids are using it I'll let u guys know how it goes Sunday night. Pete
If you have already put oil in the plug holes and you are going to try a rebuild, go ahead and pull the heads so you can see what you are doing.
One thing to note, if you have put a significant amount of oil in the top of the engine and you DO get it to crank you must remove the oil before installing spark plugs or you can break a rod due to hydrostatic lock. I had an old Buick that wouldn't spin. I WD40d it and then kept bumping the starter over the course of a week and it eventually went.
