How to turn the engine?

[ajgaines]

I am working on overhauling the engine and I've gotten to part 2: Valve removal. It says to turn the engine so that the piston is at TDC. How exactly do I turn the engine? I don't seem to see any spot that I can manipulate to turn it over, but there's very little room to see anything with my configuration.

[Dave Neptune]

If you can see the flywheel you could use it or get a "hand starting" handle. It should turn quite easy with the head off or is the engine seized?

Dave Neptune

[ajgaines]

I can see the flywheel through where I took the starter out. I took the backing off but in my boat there is almost no space behind it, I can reach my hand back there but that's about it. I'm not even sure if the engine is seized because I never tried to run it. I knew there was water inside so I just started tearing it apart

[Dave Neptune]

What kind of boat? Many times it is easier to cut in an "access hole" to work on an engine. Pics of access my help too.

Also try to stick to a single thread for your project. It will be easier to follow for you and those chiming in.

My ole A-4 had been seized for years when I bought the boat. Got a great deal and I was going to repower with a diesel. I decided to try and get the A-4 to work enough to get me in & out of the slip/harbor so I could get it down the coast and do the replacement. Well never did pull the A--4, it took 3 days to do then I ran it for another 34 years and the new owner still uses it.

Dave Neptune

[ajgaines]

It's a Catalina 30. I don't have any good pictures of the access at the moment, but can post some when I go by the boat again in a few hours. I really want to get this thing up and running as there are a lot of people who say great things about the engine and it seems as if this one is in great shape other than the massive amounts of gunk stuck in all the waterways. The thermostat housing was so filled it looks like the previous owners just removed the thermostat altogether

[Peter]

calling Neil Dutton

I think Catalina 30 owners have cut a hole in the front part of their engine enclosure to allow access to the roll pin on the flywheel.

Then place a tasteful cover over it.

Peter

[Sam]

Adding on to Peter's post, NDutton and others have solve the Catalina access issue. On the exposed roll pin you can use a special hand crank handle [from Moyer] or take a spark plug socket and grind out or mill out two opposing "slots" about an 3/4 inches. You can then use a ratchet wrench to rotate the flywheel counter clockwise to TDC, Very handy for many reasons

[ajgaines]

I thought it's supposed to rotate counterclockwise? Here's pictures of the access. I tried to move the flywheel through the starter access with a flathead gently but it wouldn't budge. I'm wondering if it's not enough pressure or if the engine is seized

[Sam]

The flywheel acess issue on Catalina 30's has been thoroughly threaded and pictured on previous posts by "Dr. N Dutton" and others - you need to drill a two inch + hole from the cabin side to the engine compartment at center flywheel. Get the specifics from the past postings/ threads- I don't have a Catalina so I can not recall the exact soecs. Your engine may be seized, stuck or not but being able to rotate by hand, especially small increments will be helpful.

[ndutton]

Sorry, been away working on my daughter's place this weekend. Here are a few pics

[Dave Neptune]

The engine should move with just bit of pressure if not your seized. Do go BOTH directions while prying.

Do you have access from above? If so a block of wood and a dead-blow hammer will probably do the trick. Get some good instructions if your not familiar with the process.

Get everything out of the cylinders you can and then add some penetrating oil or even MMO and let it soak.

This just depends on whether you want to "get it running" or take her home to work on a bench. Either way you still have to get the pistons to move.

Dave Neptune

[ajgaines]

I want to tear her apart as I suspect possible more damage, I've had the cylinders soaking in marvels mystery oil for about 2 weeks. I tried putting the started back on and just getting that to turn the engine but no luck, it engages and I see the flywheel move back and forth a little but no engine movement.

This is what she looked like when I got the head off

[Dave Neptune]

Well if your going to pull it you have a good start already. The engine when stripped can be moved much easier. Clean her up, drain the crankcase and remove what you can from the block. When pulling and or moving the beastie it is amazing how much temporary help you can get with a few liquid breads offered up.

Start soaking the prop shaft coupling and motor mounts now too.

Dave Neptune