Finally got around to putting a car together. Had it idling 3 day started it again the day after. Finally put wheels on it and took it off jack stands to debut it. Won't start!

It's not the starter. It's not the battery. It goes clickTHUD. So something is locked up. Took the plugs out serp off starter out. Still can't turn it over by hand. Okay.
Now to narrow it down for someone who has been through this. Car is on jack stands in gear and OUT of gear the wheels spin. So that narrows it down to the trans?
Drained the oil it's fine so I'm assuming its not seized or hydro locked.

Now what goes in the trans that it is locked up I checked the service holes for possibly a bolt snuck in there I can half of it fine. Is there anything I can test or check before I give myself the headache of pulling the trans. Remember the thing ran fine for 2 days now it won't turn over or spin on its own.

Thanks.

 

A bad transmission is not going to cause your engine to not physically rotate. Have you checked your timing belt? Good luck.

Aaron

 

I'm thinking I could have dropped. Bolt down the timing belt or into the bell housing. I'm in the process off taking the timing belt cover now.

Thanks for the luck I need all I can get.

 

i'm definitely shooting for timing... my boys car idled after tbelt install... then started getting loud... i had him shut it off... rechecked timing and it walked... then it would only turn a few degrees...

i really hope you didn't bend a valve cause then things get expensive...

 

So are all 4 wheels off the ground when you did this? If it was in gear with the wheels off the ground the wheels should NOT have turned, depending on what gear you had it in.

Did you hear any strange noises? I can't make heads or tails to the problem as you said you could NOT turn the motor over by hand but off the ground the wheels spin with it in gear, it doesn't add up to me.

The only thing coming to mind to me at the moment is when you rotate the wheels is the engine turning over also? You didn't mention that.

 

That would do it.

 

If your e brake is pulled acd opens the tcase and you should be able to turn the front wheels even in gear

 

This is a brand new motor and trans and clutch.
The car is in the air with the car in or out of gear I can't the front wheels to both rotate forward.

What are the signs of a seized motor? Or how can I test this idea I checked for a loose bolt in the timing belt and nothing.

 

Just took the valve cover off everything is still shiny nice if a valve was bent enough to stop it from turning over with a half inch on it you'd notice so it's not a valve.

Now how do I know a bearing didn't weld itself to the cylinder wall? There is no metal at all in the oil it's clean spotless and I have a magnetic drain plug that was spotless

 

Put the transmission in neutral. Can you roll the car by pushing? If no, the transmission is locked or not in neutral. If yes, with the transmission still in neutral, pull the pass front wheel and try turning the engine by hand. If you can't, the engine is locked.

 

The wheels turned by hand will spin opposite directions...

As for the bent valve... You usually cant tell unless its mangled... But that doesnt mean it isnt. Check timing by aligning the 3 marks... Not by pulling the vc. Wost comes to worst loosen the cam caps to the point they are barely in and try to turn the crank a hair or two... Youll be dropping the pressure off the valves allowing them to unbind or clear the piston. If it turns your timing walked... If not then something else is stuck

 

Ill try that tomorrow. Best advice I've gotten so far. I just really find it hard to believe the thing ran fine. Has a base map started for 2 days now all of sudden wont. I'm really hoping for a lodged piece. I can't deal with taking this motor out and arguing with the engine builder.

 

Procrastination bump for more suggestions dreading pulling this trana

 

Well, see what I wrote above. I wrote that up thinking how could you tell whether it is the transmission or the engine assuming the possibility the clutch is out of adjustment and not releasing. So, do what I wrote and we will know if it is the engine or the transmission and can go from there.

 

The tires wouldnt spin if the trans was held in place by a locked motor. So obviously its disengaged or in neutral if they do spin... As one tire spins its respective output shaft connected to the tcase diff. It in turn connects to the driven and drive gears of the trans. If its in gear the torque created by the wheel turning will move all connect shafts in mesh. To include the crank shaft. If its out of gear it will do the same to the point where a gear is not in mess. To include if the acd clutch oack is open. Because the design of the diff turning one tire will always turn the opposite tire in the opposite directions unless its driven by the engine/ transmission. This is normal. If the clutch is engaged in gear and the tires turn either its busted or the crank shaft is also turning. Its just the way things work.

As far as your locked engine goes. Check to see if it turns the opposite direction... If its locked by valve contact or binding of internal forces then turn it the other way to unbind it... However if it doesnt turn your **** is ****ed and revert back to my prior cam cap statement. Also try to test timing belt tension between the gears turning clock and counter clockwise. There should be nearly no play. If there is a good bit of play it is a clear indicator your belt is loose.
Since you cant turn the motor to check timing i'll break it down for you. Cams turn at half the rate of the crank. This means in perfect timing the cams are at 12 and the crank is about 1 oclock. If the cam is at 3 the crank should be at 7. If the cam is at 6 crank should be at 1 again cam at 9 crank at 7 again. Cam back at 12 crank back at 1. I hope you can figure out the clock positions in between. It will give you an idea of where they should be in relation to each other prior to unbolting things.

I'm a bit tipsy so dont sweat the typo's and sorry if it doesnt make complete sense.
PS dont listen to dumb people