Freeing a stuck HEMI...?

[Junkyard Dog 32]

Well... here's what I have and where I am with it. It's a 340 HEMI from a '56 DeSoto. It has an automatic trans still attached. I pulled the plugs and they're beautiful (no water in the cylinders). I douched the guides and tapped the rockers to check the valves, and only one was "bound-up". I tapped it about 1/2" before it popped up on it's own (saved a bent pushrod). I drained the oil and it looked perfect (no water or rust or other oogy junk). I filled the cylinders with "slippery stuff" and now I wait...

My question(s), before I go crankin' on it... Do I need to take the tranny off to turn it? Should I just keep trying to turn the bolt on the front of the crank, or is there a better way... or anything else I should do before I turn it...?

It seems like a really good engine, and I'd bet it'll run without tearing it apart, if I don't rush it. So, thanks...


JOEhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Fraz]

Less bulky and easier to turn without trans attached.

[ricky from va]

wish i had that problem. seems too me the more you pull off this thing the better you'll be. i think id like too see the thing turning when it brakes loose and i mean up close heads off. just my 2 cents

[Flat Ernie]

If you can turn it from the flywheel/flexplate, that would be better than cranking on the front bolt...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[hell_fish_65]

Is the engine stuck or have you just not tried it yet? Prime the oil pump before you start turning it and a extra safety. There is a tool that fits over the crank snout that can come in handy, but the bolt will work too. If it is stuck, a little coke or tranny fluid can help break down the bond to free it. The tranny fluid takes longer to work. The coke, if left to long can attack other items like the pistons or cylinder walls.

[tommy]

I was always afraid of stripping the bolt or threads in the crank. I put slightly longer bolts in the balancer for the pulley. You can get a bigger bar across the bolts for leverage and you can can rock it both directions. A little one way. then a little the other.

I put lots of miles on it after it broke loose.

[Gas_Tires_Oil]

Marvel Mystery Oil - I hope that was the slippery stuff you used.

Good luck http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[hell_fish_65]

If the bolt is like the SB/Poly crank bolt, they are very strong.

[Bugman]

Yeah, early Hemi crank bolts are fairly large and pretty strong. Feel free to wrench on that with a long pipe.

-Jeff

[Gr8ballsofir]

Correct. YOU WILL NOT BREAK THE CRANK BOLT! Get a 1 1/8 impact socket and a BFP (Big Fuckin' Pipe) and turn to the right. Pour some Coca-Cola down the cylinders first!! Auto Trans won't stop the block unless it's seized for some reason>

[Gr8ballsofir]

Oh yea, and it's a 330 if it's a 56 Desoto. (S24 at front of valley cover).

[Gotgas]

At first glance I thought you were stuck with a free Hemi. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I was gonna offer to help.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[geno_86ed]

I turned my 55 Desoto on the crank bolt with the tranny on it, but it was still in the car. Just put it in neutral and stuck a 1-1/4" ?? socket on the crank bolt and turned it with a 12 breaker bar, too easy.

Geno

[geno_86ed]

That is 12" breaker bar, not 12'. Also leave the spark plugs out, makes it easier, and if you have oil in the bores remember that liquid does not compress. Shot Marvels clear over the front fenders of my Desoto when each cylinder hit it's compression stoke. Kinda cool

Geno

[Junkyard Dog 32]

Thanks guys. I'll go to reefin' on it in the morning... and the morning after... and the.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


JOEhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[48_HEMI]

make sure the trans is in neutral. those park pins take alot of force to break http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Gr8ballsofir]

Good idea, but there IS NO PARK on a 56 Desoto... can you turn the output shaft on the trans?