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Old 07-22-2020, 09:50 AM   #1
oldgrayman
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Default 59ab hard to turn over

Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question. I just replaced the gaskets on my oil pan to stop an oil leak. After putting in the new seals and gaskets, it won’t turn over. If I remove 5 of the spark plugs, it turns over and runs for about a minute before shutting down. Recharging the battery will get it to start again and run for a short time. Before this work it ran very well. My uninformed thought is that the front seal is too large and is putting too much drag on the crank and keeping it from turning over fast enough to start with more plugs in place. If I continue to spin the motor with a limited number of plugs, will I harm the motor? If it is the seal, will it wear in? Does anyone have any suggestions of what the next step should be? Thanks for your thoughts.
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Old 07-22-2020, 10:07 AM   #2
corvette8n
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

How hard is it to turn over by hand with all the plugs out?
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Old 07-22-2020, 12:40 PM   #3
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

No, you won't hurt anything by running it with a few plugs out. Tell us about the front seal - original style rope seal or aftermarket one piece/modern style?
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Old 07-22-2020, 01:56 PM   #4
oldgrayman
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

The front seal looked like rope that was impregnated with white rubber. It came with the gasket kit.
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Old 07-22-2020, 02:36 PM   #5
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

The motor turns easily with all the plugs out. The starter also spins the motor easily with all the plugs removed.
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Old 07-22-2020, 05:14 PM   #6
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here is some wild guesses: The bendix drive is sticking in the flywheel, or the battery is weak . Give it a load test Most parts stores can do it.
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Old 07-22-2020, 07:26 PM   #7
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

Thanks! The battery is brand new - Napa Legend 650 CCA. I’ll have them check it for me, though.
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Old 07-22-2020, 09:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

A new battery can still be bad. I couldn't figure out why my 46 with a freshly rebuilt flathead and a new Napa battery was a hard starter. After much messing about another new battery solved the issue.. YMMV.
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Old 07-22-2020, 09:35 PM   #9
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

The ground for the starter is through the pan. Maybe by disturbing the pan it no longer is grounding like it should be. Did you paint the pan when you had it off?
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Old 07-23-2020, 09:22 AM   #10
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

No, didn’t do any painting when the pan was off, though I probably should have done a little touch up while I was under there.
But, now I’m wondering if a bad starter could be the cause of these issues? Would a defective starter possibly be unable to turn over the engine under load? Any ideas of how to test a starter under load conditions?

Thanks to all for the thoughtful help.
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Old 07-23-2020, 09:36 AM   #11
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

Check you tube for test loading starter motor
I recall watching one before I bought used starter
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Old 07-23-2020, 01:13 PM   #12
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

Put all 5 pugs back in and see if it will run. if I'm reading this post right, 5 cylinders would be sucking air. I'm surprised it will run at all.
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Old 07-23-2020, 09:01 PM   #13
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

Seal is too tight, I've seen a crankshaft nose break off from this.
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Old 07-23-2020, 09:10 PM   #14
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

Quote:
Originally Posted by oldgrayman View Post
If I remove 5 of the spark plugs, it turns over and runs for about a minute before shutting down. If I continue to spin the motor with a limited number of plugs, will I harm the motor?
You are not going to harm the engine running it with some of the plugs out. If you remove the correct plugs (4) you can run it as a 4 cylinder.
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Old 07-23-2020, 11:26 PM   #15
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

If it turns over easily with the plugs out it is not the seal.
Put a starter draw amp gage on the battery cable and see if the starter draws 175 amps or 400.
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Old 07-24-2020, 03:45 PM   #16
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

Just pulled the starter and took it to a machine shop. The load test suggested the starter was bad as it failed each of the 3 times they tested. I’m having it rebuilt and will post a note when I get it back in the truck. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions and thoughts!
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Old 07-24-2020, 04:15 PM   #17
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

You know we are checking this thread often to see how it all turns out.
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Old 07-25-2020, 11:18 PM   #18
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkHZyjiT_wk

Couldn't resist....
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Old 07-26-2020, 09:03 PM   #19
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

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Originally Posted by GB SISSON View Post
Looks like it blew the head off!!!
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Old 07-25-2020, 11:32 PM   #20
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Default Re: 59ab hard to turn over

cool GB ! good way to do diagnostics when you can watch it happening.
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