New engine wont turn forward

[JakesK5]

I had a engine built (383) about a year ago and finally got to installing it last fall & this winter. I went to put torq converter bolts in and it would only spin like 1/4 turn by hand in reverse. The starter wouldnt spin it. So i pulled plugs and blastered the cyls. Plugs are still out. I can now spin it in reverse all the way around. I did 2 full revs in reverse with a little pry bar on the starter & flexplate with little effort. Wen i bump it with the starter it only spins 1/4 turn & sounds bad. I even had a charger on it when spinning it over. Took starter out & checked it. Spins over nice & sounds good. I got a cheap scope to check cyls & they look good. Im just at a loss as to why it spins fine in reverse by hand but forward the starter wont spin it. I got a hi torq starter on the way. Would the mech fuel pump intalled wrong do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Im even starting 2nd guess the work i've done.

 

[nvrenuf]

Can you turn it forward by hand?

 

[Fordum]

First things first.
Make sure your problem is what you think it is.
Remove any and all belts, plus the starter.
Then, look at another engine that is running or cranking to make absolutely sure that you are correct as to the right direction.
And remember that that direction from the front is backwards from the back.

Then try to turn it the correct way with no belts or starter. If it will not turn then, you can be sure its the engine. If it does turn, then its either the starter or a belt driven accessory.

 

[ryoken]

fuel pump pushrod could be off to the side of the pump lever, wedging it in it's bore up against the lobe...

but whenever I've seen someone do that, it usually just bends the pump arm over and the motor would still spin..

 

[JakesK5]

I do have the belt off. When turning forward it seems to get only like a 1/4 turn & get tight. I stop because I don't want to force anything. Tonight the fuel pump is coming off to give that a try. This engine was running. I had them break the cam in at the builders. But this was a year or so ago.

 

[JakesK5]

Thanks for all your help. But my problem just came down to my own stupidity! After putting a good starter on i found out the trans wasn't bolted up tight and causing binding. I guess that's what you get when you drop a project for a while and forget where you left off. But thanks again! The wealth of knowledge on this site is outstanding

 

[ryoken]

glad ya figured it out....