Ok, i just got done rebuilding a 305, the bottom end feels really tight and it seems hard to turn the engine over by hand, i used some red permatex assembly lube, which is really thick, once i get it moving it turns alright, but is what im seeing is just the thickness of the assembly lube making it tough to turn by hand?

 

Try using some regular engine oil to lubricate the rings and bearings. I've done assembly with STP, thinking that the engine would sit for a while before running. The same situation happens, and clean oil will solve it.

 

Do you have the spark plugs in? The cylindars would be building up compression if you do, causing it to be difficult to turn, if I'm not mistaken.

 

Spark plugs are not in, and the engine is pretty much back together, but what your saying is that the thickness and stickyness of the assembly lube could cause the toughness of the engine to move? Everything went together fine and I didnt have any trouble with anything. I was just thinking between fresh new bearings and that assebly lube that, that is what was making it tough to turn.

 

If all bearing clearances are correct and your crankshaft end play was set correctly it should take less than 15 ft lbs to turn the lower rotating assembly. If its more than that you have something wrong .take time to check it out now before you put it in the car . The red lube you used is fine we built dozens of motors with it.

 

Make sure your connecting rod caps and main caps are in the right order I've made that mistake before.....
My problem was the connecting rod caps, my engine was tight as well but I didn't think much of it, seeing as everything was new and "TIGHT".... It wasn't till the engine wouldn't turn over without Ether that I knew something was wrong. Check the side clearances and plastigauge everything!!!
Cause it sucks having to pull the engine out again and figure out what you've done wrong
Good Luck!!!!

 

Would having really dry cylinders cause it to be really tight? i really dont have any lubrication in the cylinders. Also Are the main caps numbered from front to back Or how do I tell if they are in the right order?, I know I took them off and kept them in order but if I got one mixed up, would that make it tight?

 

Yes, the cylinder walls need a light coat of oil. After honing I use use ATF and clean paper towels to wipe the bores. Once the towels come out clean, instead of dark gray, move to the next bore.

At a minimum I would get some light oil on the cylinder walls and piston skirts. Not a lot, just enough to lube it for the initial fire up.

Mains are numbered 1-5 starting from the front. #1 main is under the timing cover. With #5 main having the oil pump bolted to it. The caps also have an arrow cast in that points to the front of the engine.

RBob.

 

did you adjust the rockers backwards

Not bustin *****- Ive done it myself

 

Rockers arent on yet, spark plugs arent on yet, i will pull the oil pan off and check the main bearing caps, but I am almost sure I put them on right and then I will lubricate the bores a little and see what happens, im sure its nothing, just dont want to pull the motor again!, Thanks!

 

Ok, pulled the oil pan, all caps are pointing forward, not number markings on them, but I put some oil on the tops of the cylinders, and bottom, and it turns fairly easily now, much easier than before, i think my problem was dry cylinder bores, thanks!

 

The caps weren't numbered? They might look the same, but they're not mix and match. Each one has to go back in the same spot that it was in when the crank centerline was bored. Are you sure that each one is back in its original position?

 

Yes they are back in the right spot, when i took them out i set them in line and they never moved till i put them back in, and the connecting rod caps and pistons i use a metal etching pen and mark them as soon as I take them out. But like I said, once I put some oil to everything the engine started turning like i remember past engines.

 

xj............is this engine going in your 89RS?

Or is this another project?

 

When you say tight by hand it will be. What is your torque reading? Fresh motors are tight even if they are together right.

 

This engine is for another project, a friends 85 z28. This engine looks bad a$$ though all cleaned up and painted with some chrome, ill post some pics pretty soon. Im not sure of the torque reading, but when you say torque reading you mean the torque it takes to turn the crank? Its it alot easier to turn the crank now i put some oil on the tops and bottoms of the pistons and let it sit for a while and turned it a couple times and it is much better and easier. Thanks!