[markmitch]

OK so I bought a used 350 a while back and it's all back in my Astro, but when I try to turn the engine over to start it, it turns a few times, and then it makes a loud squeaking sound and acts like the battery is dead, but it isn't. I tried three times to get TDC and nothing has changed after each time. Could it be the torque convert not seated right? Any ideas, please feel free to post. I need to get this van on the road asap! Thanks , Mark

 

[AstroWill]

Make a video? Is it hard to rotate the crank by hand when it does this?

 

[markmitch]

I was turning it with a ratchet, it only got hard to turn when it got to TDC. I will try to take a video tomorrow. Battery is on charger just to be safe.

 

[MechBob]

Seized bearing
Rust in a cylinder
You can get a bore scope cheap from harbor freight
Didn't you turn it over by hand several revolutions before?
Possible flex plate issue
Possible starter needs shimmed, now is bad and stuck in
That's about all quickly off the top of my head.

 

[markmitch]

When turning it over with the starter I have no oil in my oil line to the gauge and no fuel coming out (TBI) But when I spun the oil pump with a drill I had oil in the line.-not sure if this makes a difference.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

Can you pull.plugs and try turning it over with the ratchet?
If it is a mechanical problem, it should be no different.
If it is a compression issue then it should turn freely.
I would not attempt to use the starter until you know it will spin all the way around without binding.
I am assuming you could turn it a full revolution before the installation.
That would probably point to either a mechanical issue with the transmission, or a hydraulic lock in one of the cylinders, due to water or oil.
Was the cooling system filled?
On some motors, a stuck.ppen valve cam jam a piston, but I do not think older Chevy V-8's are built that way (so called 'interference motors' like many foreign makes).

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[markmitch]

Its raining here so I can't do much till it stops, I will do what you posted and let you all know. Thanks, Mark

 

[Rod's Trucks]

Its raining here so I can't do much till it stops, I will do what you posted and let you all know. Thanks, Mark

I misread your previous post.
It sounds like it was turning over with the starter, so the hydraulic lock idea probably will not be the case.
I have forgotten the history of your project. Did you ever have the bottom of this used motor opened up to check main and rod bearings etc?
Would it rotate normally with a wrench, before it was installed?
Sorry for the questions?
I am just trying to get a better mental picture of the situation.

Rod J

 

[markmitch]

OK so I got the engine removed the heads and intake and oil pan, I then cleaned the piston tops with a wire brush and solvent. Cleaned the valley, the engine was turned over by hand many times during this. I replaced the oil pump and pick up and installed my oil pan to fit in the AWD frame. I sprayed all internal parts with WD 40 prior to re assembly. Reinstalled the heads with new gaskets after I replaced the valve guide seals. Then installed my intake. I did the oil pump and heads, just to be safe. So I am thinking the flywheel is somehow wrong. The torque converter is new. Maybe I should unbolt the torque converter and see if I can turn it easier?

 

[Big_kid]

I've seen this happen before. Take off the belt, it could be a seized bearing in the idler, tensioner, alternator, water or PS pumps. Unbolting the TC from the flexplate will narrow it down to the engine. Start with the belt. If a bearing in an accessory is seized the engine will turn over until the belt is stretched to it's maximum, then it will screech/squeal and seize. Start with the easy stuff.

 

[markmitch]

Belt was not on, but thanks. I was just trying to start it to set timing so far. It kind of acts like the timing is way off but I did top dead center 3 times to make sure and same each time. I will get the exhaust unbolted and then the flywheel as soon as the sun comes back.

 

[markmitch]

Suppose to rain here for a few days, so I can't do much, I will possibly work on the 233C I have in the barn to prep it till then. I will not be doing the swap till after this winter. I figure the 4472 that is in my van should be fine for the winter.

 

[markmitch]

I found a 350 with 80k miles all documented for 400 cash, and it's the same year as my Astro. The guy used the truck only in the winters (4x4) but the frame rusted out and broke. I am going to see it Friday.

 

[Big_kid]

Sounds like a winner so far, I hope it checks out.

 

[markmitch]

If I buy it I am only changing the oil pan and pick up tube and dropping it in for winter. I will rebuild the 94 350 I have in it later.

 

[markmitch]

OK so it was a sunny day, and first I removed the spark plugs and I turn the engine over by hand and there was a rough spot, so I then removed the flywheel to toque converter bolts and turned it by hand again and no more rough spot? I really have no clue what this could mean.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

Good information...now I think you can assume the motor is not the issue. That is good to know.
Is it possible the torque converter was not quite lined up on the flex plate correctly? ( pure speculation)
It has been so long since I have seen how those fit together, I cannot visualize the mating surfaces or how the mounting points are set up.
I recall seeing an old Ford, on which somebody had tried to use a couple of bolts that were a bit too long to attach a torque converter. The bolts tightened up just fine according to the owner, but they had bottomed out against the torque converter housing and not held the flex plate tight. It causes a lot of strange noises, and finally damaged the flex plate before the problem found.

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[markmitch]

OK so tomorrow I will spin it and bolt it back up and see if it makes a difference on both noise and hard to turn. And repost, Thanks

 

[MechBob]

See if you see scrape marks on the heads of the convertor bolts.

 

[MechBob]

OK. When you get back to it, grab a remote starter button, disable fuel or spark, lay under there and watch flex plate while cranking engine over, see if it wobbles. If not,good(it may not be perfect, slight wobble is ok). So, make sure converter bolts are OK, and are the right bolts. Start all 3. Snug all 3. Then fully tighten all 3. Just starting all 3 in holes, then fully tightening one can cause a problem. Good luck.