turning engine by hand

[wazzabie]

I need to turn the engine by hand. I have the flywheel cover off. Which direction do I need to turn it? Which direction does the engine turn? 1978 chevy 350.

Standing in front of the engine does it turn clockwise or counterclockwise?

 

[howdiy]

If you put a wrench on the harmonic balancer and turn right that should be in the direction an engine normally turns. I'm not 100% positive though

 

[GalDemSuga]

x2

If you put a wrench on the harmonic balancer and turn right that should be in the direction an engine normally turns. I'm not 100% positive though

 

[1BEATK5]

clockwise from the front

 

[76zimmer]

X3...tighten the harmonic balancer bolt for corrrect rotation.

 

[diesel4me]

Be careful--I have seen guys strip the threads in the crank snout using the balancer bolt to spin the engine over,or bust off the bolt in the crank!......dont try using a strap wrench on the outer diameter of the balancer either,it might make it slip on the rubber insert and ruin it...you can turn it by grabbing one of the pulleys though,they bolt to the solid center of the balancer...you can often turn the engine over with a wrench on the altenator pulley nut usually ,without hurting anything..

 

[blazin_blazer]

i have used a pipewrench sideways on the pulley..i'll try & take a pic..its hard to explain

 

[4xcrazy]

If you're playing with the flexplate, just use a rag and grab it, it'll turn pretty easily, not big movements, but enough to get it to rotate enough for whatever it is you're doing.

 

[76zimmer]

be sure to pull the plugs first, that will make turning it alot easier.

 

[4xcrazy]

be sure to pull the plugs first, that will make turning it alot easier.

yes that does make it alot easier, but it can be done without doing that, i have done it several timea already with this Burb when i was having multiple trans problems, had the stupid thing out too many times due to a crappy rebuilder. like i said, a rag to prevent chewing up your hands, and small movements.

or if everything in life has to be super easy for you, just hire an illegal imigrant to do all the labor for you.

 

[wazzabie]

I have the flywheel cover and started removed and the teath exposed. I just want to turn it over by hand to make sure nothing is stuck and to get some oil on the parts.

 

[K85 Octane]

ur not going to get much oil on anything that way, but I guess sure why not

Either turn it with the balancer bolt up front or throw a wrench on one of the torque converter bolts and turn it that way.

 

[ryoken]

since you have the flywheel cover off and it hasn't been mentioned yet, it would help to have the proper tool..

i spin motors over 99% of the time from the crank snout tho...

 

[76zimmer]

If you want to get oil to the parts, use a pump primer tool, in the distributor location, have someone spin it with a drill, while you rotate the engine a couple revolutions by hand. But be sure to mark your starting position before pulling the distributor.
A primer tool can be made from an old distibutor housing, and using the pole piece, grind off the top of it to fit in a drill chuck.