How do I turn crankshaft?

10

Asked by Rob Oct 08, 2013 at 05:45 PM about the 1963 Ford Thunderbird

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

How would I go about turning the
crankshaft if the engine is still installed in
the car and everything is still installed on
the engine itself?

4 Answers

18,025

(1.) You could disconnect the coil wire, and tap the starter with the key. (2.) Or, you could put a socket on the center bolt of the lower crank pulley. Pull the spark plugs out, it will be much easier to turn. Make sure disconnect the negative battery cable, so nobody tries to crank the engine when you are under the hood.

3 people found this helpful.
2,365

If you use the second suggestion above, you can use a large breaker bar and not have to remove the plugs, although that would eliminate compression and make it easier to turn. It is difficult, but it can be done without harm.

15,725

Yes, there is more than one way to skin a cat but the safest, easiest and proper way to turn over the engine is to 1) remove all the plugs, 2) disconnect the positive terminal on the battery, 3) with a 1/2" breaker bar, and proper size socket on the crankshaft nut, rotate the engine clockwise. If this does not turn the engine over, you may have a frozen engine, broken rings or a number of other problems. It should turn over with a minimum of effort. If the car has been sitting for several months, you might want to pour about a teaspoon of Marvel Mystery Oil down each plug hole.

2 people found this helpful.

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