The Ford Barn

LizardsA · 11-27-2013, 10:24 AM

Hi all,
I have just received my A's engine back from having the flywheel balanced and centred, as well as a new clutch and clutch pressure plate installed.
I put the engine into the car, and when I came to trying to set the timing using the crank, the engine will not budge one iota. The gears are in neutral.
What can the problem be?
Kind regards
Mike
Johannesburg, South Africa
1930 Sport Coupe

Patrick L. · 11-27-2013, 10:27 AM

Try loosening the starter bolts. Jack one rear wheel and see if its free. Let us know what happens.

Kurt in NJ · 11-27-2013, 10:43 AM

When the flywheel was installed it is possible that the dowell retainer (metal plate with 4 holes for flywheel bolts)could have been left off, this could cause the flywheel bolts to bottom out on the rear main part of the block locking the engine

Was work done inside the engine? ---if so perhaps the bearings are too tight

Patrick L. · 11-27-2013, 11:44 AM

What Kurt said is right, sorry, forgot about that. Removing the front bellhousing inspection plate, those bolts can be looked at.

Rowdy · 11-27-2013, 11:52 AM

Wrong bolts used on remounting the starter possibly hitting the flywheel locking the engine up. Definately would not be the first time that has happened. Rod

tbirdtbird · 11-27-2013, 11:56 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

agree w/ Kurt

LizardsA · 11-27-2013, 01:36 PM

And the prize goes to Patrick for hitting the nail on the head! The wrong bolts fastening the starter motor.....
Thanks once again to all for your help
Kind regards from sunny South Africa
Mike

Patrick L. · 11-27-2013, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizardsA

And the prize goes to Patrick for hitting the nail on the head! The wrong bolts fastening the starter motor.....
Thanks once again to all for your help
Kind regards from sunny South Africa
Mike

Good, glad it was easy. I like easy. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in awhile.

700rpm · 11-27-2013, 02:00 PM

In my experience, more often than not the answers to problems with a Model A are pretty simple, because the car itself is simple. Ford had in mind that people would have to fix these things themselves, and designed them accordingly. The one-bolt carb is a perfect example of that thinking. We modern, more complicated folks tend to overthink the problems sometimes.

11-27-2013, 10:24 AM	#1
LizardsA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 225	Help! My A's engine is "stuck" Hi all, I have just received my A's engine back from having the flywheel balanced and centred, as well as a new clutch and clutch pressure plate installed. I put the engine into the car, and when I came to trying to set the timing using the crank, the engine will not budge one iota. The gears are in neutral. What can the problem be? Kind regards Mike Johannesburg, South Africa 1930 Sport Coupe

11-27-2013, 10:27 AM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" Try loosening the starter bolts. Jack one rear wheel and see if its free. Let us know what happens.

11-27-2013, 10:43 AM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,553	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" When the flywheel was installed it is possible that the dowell retainer (metal plate with 4 holes for flywheel bolts)could have been left off, this could cause the flywheel bolts to bottom out on the rear main part of the block locking the engine Was work done inside the engine? ---if so perhaps the bearings are too tight

11-27-2013, 11:44 AM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" What Kurt said is right, sorry, forgot about that. Removing the front bellhousing inspection plate, those bolts can be looked at.

11-27-2013, 11:52 AM	#5
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" Wrong bolts used on remounting the starter possibly hitting the flywheel locking the engine up. Definately would not be the first time that has happened. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

11-27-2013, 11:56 AM	#6
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) agree w/ Kurt __________________ '31 180A

11-27-2013, 01:36 PM	#7
LizardsA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 225	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" And the prize goes to Patrick for hitting the nail on the head! The wrong bolts fastening the starter motor..... Thanks once again to all for your help Kind regards from sunny South Africa Mike

11-27-2013, 02:00 PM	#9
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Help! My A's engine is "stuck" In my experience, more often than not the answers to problems with a Model A are pretty simple, because the car itself is simple. Ford had in mind that people would have to fix these things themselves, and designed them accordingly. The one-bolt carb is a perfect example of that thinking. We modern, more complicated folks tend to overthink the problems sometimes. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.