Gentleman I need some advice. I have a 55 Chevy with a stock v8. When you try to start it the crankshaft tries to turn a little but nothing else happens which leads me to believe that the rings have rusted and seized on one or more cylinders. Marvel and seafoam have not helped. What do you guys think about pouring vinegar, muratic acid, or CLR down the intake? Transmission fluid? All suggestions wanted, would like to keep this original engine in the car!
try turning the engine over by hand first instead of trying to start it..... if it is stuck id suggest removing the spark plugs and mix up some tranny fluid/deisel/berrymans. pour it through the plug holes and let it set. i damn sure wouldnt use any kind of acid!
The key phrase here is "the crankshaft tries to turn a little...". This tells me that there is something broken which allows the crank to turn a little, but then stops it. If the pistons were well and truly stuck, the crank would not move even a little. If a rod were broke, the crank might move a little, but it would stop quickly. You are going to have to tear this down, or revise your description of the problem. Also, once rings are stuck (rusted), the cylinder walls are shot, and need boring. You may end up getting the car started, but it will burn oil like a 100,000 mile Vega. IF it doesn't subsequently break the rings. Oh, sod that, if it breaks the rings, it'll just burn MORE oil. Cosmo
I had a similar issue on my friends 454, I had the covers off and injected a mix of Diesel and tranny fluid ( same mix I used to run on my Chevy C2500 ) everywhere I could the thing drank a whole lot. Left the engine indoors for a couple of days and them carefully turned after some horrid noises, it cleaned up well, and the damn thing still runs this day. Diesel lubricates and tranny fluid has detergents to clean. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o></o> Might be repeating what other members said just though of putting my 2 cents in. <o></o> <o></o> Good luck!!!
take it apart at least pull the heads, I'm willing to bet, this is what you'll find, and there is no way to get it out w/o damaging a valve. It is cheaper to fix it now than after forcing it and breaking parts.
Never use acid. But, use whatever concoction of oils and magic solutions you like to free the engine. Not positive, but the original 265 lacked in the oil filtration department. Most relyed on a bolt-on filter near the thermostat housing. After its free, tear it down and rebuild it. Just something to think about.
try and turn the motor over counter clockwise and that might tell you if you have physical obstruction.
FTS55...the best thing to do is pull the heads. and if you don't know how, then get someone who doe's what is needed here is a mechanic...POP.