OK to spin the engine?

[mike7a10]

I have had my boat out of the water on blocks since October '07 as I am refurbishing it. I am thinking of pulling off distributor wire (to ensure it cannot start) and spinning the engine for a short while to lubricate the internal parts.

Will this cause any problems? This engine has a raw water intake and I don't think there would be any issues but checking to ensure that I cannot harm the engine.

Thanks in advance. Mike

[Don Moyer]

Mike,

You should be perfectly safe to turn the engine over as you're suggesting.
You might also want to pull the spark plugs to remove the compression so
your starter will be able to spin the engine easier. On our test stand, we
look for 20 psi oil pressure when turning the engine over on the starter in
this manner.

Don