new engine seized, from sitting***FIXED***

B

barron

Member
I just put back together my coupe only to discover that the engine is seized, its been sitting under cover for about 6-7 years after rebuild, sprayed pb blaster down the holes, let sit for a day then dragged the car in gear for a bit.... no luck, now I have ****** fluid down the holes.... any ideas?
 
Last edited:
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

The best penetrant that I have found is Kroil They sell different versions and the silikroil is the best. Kroil will probably do the job in a day or two. I have had good results with kerosene it just takes a little longer. I have NEVER had good results with diesel fuel as a penetrant. The smell of diesel alone is reason enough for me, especially if you spill some on your clothing.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

barron said:
I just put back together my coupe only to discover that the engine is seized, its been sitting under cover for about 6-7 years after rebuild, sprayed pb blaster down the holes, let sit for a day then dragged the car in gear for a bit.... no luck, now I have ****** fluid down the holes.... any ideas?
Click to expand...


Didya check for sure it would turn 6-7 years ago?
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Kroil is great but very expensive in large quantities. IF you mix 50/50 Acetone and trans fluid you get the same if not better results and alot cheaper by the bulk. Take the plugs out and fill the cylinders up and let it sit for a couple of days. Then leave the plugs out and then try and rotate it. IF that doesn't work pull the head off, and gently tap the pistons with a 2x4 and a dead blow hammer. You will hear a definitive change in the sound of the piston when it breaks loose. Once free turn it over by hand until all the valves are moving freely as well. Be patient they are tough but need a little love.


Tim
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Maybe the starter is stuck ... this will lock the engine up tight in both directions!

1. Turn off key ... you don't want a run-a-way car if it frees up and starts ...:(

2. Put it in 3rd gear and rock car forward and backwards with 2-3 people ... if you hear a clunk or clang and it starts rolling then you have found the problem.

Common occurance after sitting for sometime.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

ldj1002 said:
Didya check for sure it would turn 6-7 years ago?
Click to expand...

Exactly my question, you may have bearings that were adjusted too tight. Maybe the oil on the bearings dried out and is acting like glue. Was it run to break it in which means moisture may have rusted the rings to the cylinder walls.

Charlie Stephens
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

my grandpa's A had been seized up for 40 years, and my dad got it free in a week, he plain diesel
John
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Was there any way the little old mouse could have gotten in your crankcase? When I started my rebuild on my huckster, I found many mouose nests in the oil pan and the engine was froze up plus the drip pan was rusted out.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

You will more than likely have some stuck valves, maybe lifters stuck also. I would remove the manifold assy. and the valve cover. That way you can spray some penetrant on the valve stems through the ports in the side of the engine and spray penetrant around the lifters. This would be a good time to spray penetrant in the passages that lead to the main bearings and cam bearings. It wouldn't hurt to probe the oil passages with a wire or welding rod to free up oil that may have hardened over time, this was mentioned a couple of days ago and does pertain. After the penetrant has a few days to do its work I usually remove the starter and use a cheater bar through the flywheel housing on the teeth of the flywheel to turn the engine. Good luck, I have used this method many times to unstick frozen up engines.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

I saw a tool last night at a club meeting that would be perfect for this task once sure that the issue is only corrosion. Consisted of a starter motor base plate with a bendix gear on one end of a section of shaft and a 1/2" socket on the other. Bolt plate on in place of starter; gear engages the flywheel; breaker bar goes in the socket - supposedly gives you a ton of leverage while engaging several teeth on the flywheel. I think we are going to make some!
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

I forgot to add this info but here is the direct source for Kroil phone 800-311-3374 The last gallon that I bought, about five years ago was only $27.25 and it included one spray can of aerokroil. I don't have any stock in the company but kroil has saved parts for me that would have otherwise been scrap iron.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Pilotdave said:
I saw a tool last night at a club meeting that would be perfect for this task once sure that the issue is only corrosion. Consisted of a starter motor base plate with a bendix gear on one end of a section of shaft and a 1/2" socket on the other. Bolt plate on in place of starter; gear engages the flywheel; breaker bar goes in the socket - supposedly gives you a ton of leverage while engaging several teeth on the flywheel. I think we are going to make some!
Click to expand...
When you get one made, please post pictures. Looks like something that would be worthwhile to have -- even for a fresh rebuild that is sorta stiff while trying to time it.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

cc90c227.jpg


52667454.jpg


b011fa39.jpg


Here is the tool I made just over a year ago after seeing it on Jim Mason's web site.
This is the best way to free up a stuck engine.

Also be sure the starter bolt isn't too long and locking the flywheel. If you pull the car, be sure to only use high gear as it gives the best turning torque to the motor and is the least likely to break something in the ******.

If the engine was properly oiled (assembly lube) when it was put together and all openings were sealed to keep out moisture and mice, then the engine should turn over just fine, even after setting 7 years. If the engine was run for a few minutes, then put to rest for seven years, you may as well start taking it apart right now, because the rings will most likely be stuck in the grooves, and the cylinder walls may be rusty. I also would use Kroil, or a mix of accetone and ATF to try to free it.

BTW, I used bad parts to make the tool, so I didn't have to waste any good parts.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Then there is the ultilmate method. I don't recommend it and don't litigate me if you try it. Pull the plugs of course. Find the cylinder with the piston near the top (Dead on top brobably won't work.) Weld a grease fitting to a spark plug base. Start pumping grease into that cylinder. Something will give. Rainmaker Ron and I have a bud in NE that did this sorta successfully. Yes the engine turned over. In his excitement of success he got the engine loose and fired it up inside his 1 car garage. Later he could laugh about it, but at the time that garage would never rust cause of the greasy smoke deposits. Rainmanker, didn't his wife have a say afterwards??
Clem
 
Last edited:
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Clem, I did the same thing to break loose a 1930 Caterpillar I was
restoring. I have 15 foot high roof in the shop, I got it loose gave it
a spin with the hand crank and 10 years later I still have grease on
the ceiling.

Bob
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Wow thanks fellas, lots of good stuff here, I pulled the starter before the adventure, the motor spun years ago (I think) plugs always in, been rocking it in third, would love to have that little tool with teeth on it, but don't want to wreck good stuff to make one, I think I might hate cars
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Purdy Swoft said:
I forgot to add this info but here is the direct source for Kroil phone 800-311-3374 The last gallon that I bought, about five years ago was only $27.25 and it included one spray can of aerokroil. I don't have any stock in the company but kroil has saved parts for me that would have otherwise been scrap iron.
Click to expand...

What a difference a few years makes,

Kroil 1 gal. can - $46.95 and no free spray can.
 
Re: new engine seized, from sitting

Yep, I'm really not surprised oil prices have skyrocketed. If it saves the engine It should be worthwhile. I unstuck more than one engine with that gallon and still had some left
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top