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How to turn engines over manually??

Discussion in 'Chris Craft Roamer Yacht' started by raemore, Dec 30, 2009.

  1. raemore, Dec 30, 2009
    #1
    raemore

    raemore Member

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    roamer 64
    Would any one know what is the standard procedure to turn the mel 430 engine over manually ie. with ratchet etc. lets say for timing purposes.
    There in no large nut on the crank pulley so either ,strap ratchet on outside of pulley or special 3 bolt hub tool???
    what is the standard procedure?
    any help appreciated..
    \alex
  2. yachtsmanbill, Dec 30, 2009
    #2
    yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Guest

    turning

    My old CC 283s had a hole with a timing pointer on the flywheel. I could bar them over a few teeth at a time with a big screwdriver. If not, pull the starter.
    Hope this helps... ws
  3. Henning, Dec 31, 2009
    #3
    Henning

    Henning Senior Member

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    It doesn't have to be a big bolt if the engine isn't seized. If you go slow enough you can even do it off a belt driven accessory pulley nut. Usually you can also access the flywheel one way or another.
  4. raemore, Dec 31, 2009
    #4
    raemore

    raemore Member

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    just seems strange...

    Well as for turning engine over manually......
    I suppose one could use accesory pulley if belt is tight enough..
    and as for accesing fly wheel "one way or another" well you can turn it over a few teeth at a time from the top access point but i must say both these methods are very crude and it doesnt lend itself to accurate timing operations for cam and valve etc...seems these timing ops are done with the bell housing covers off!!!!
  5. K1W1, Dec 31, 2009
    #5
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Turning it over by using the flywheel teeth albeit a few at a time is the most sure and accurate way to turn the engine for timing.

    If you are doing the cam timing you obviously have the timing cover off the front, if you are doing the ignition timing make sure you start somewhere on the lead up to where you need to be so the slack in the timing chain/gears is taken before you get to where you need to be.

    Also take the spark plugs out, you will find it is a lot easier to turn.
  6. raemore, Dec 31, 2009
    #6
    raemore

    raemore Member

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    roamer 64
    thanks....

    Thankyou all for your help...
    I wish you all a happy new year.
    and i want to start a new thread..
    question.....?
    what is the highest engine hours you have heard of with out rebuild
    on a CC gas engine ???
  7. Seafarer, Dec 31, 2009
    #7
    Seafarer

    Seafarer Senior Member

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    Hudson River
    There should be a bolt holding the front pulleys (and possibly balancer) on the front of the engine in the car version, but the front becomes the rear in the marine version, so you'll have to turn it over from the flywheel end.

    I'm in the middle of a 430 rebuild myself, but for a '64 Lincoln, not a Chris Craft. You may find more information for your specific issue here: http://ford-mel-engine.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=296
  8. Seafarer, Dec 31, 2009
    #8
    Seafarer

    Seafarer Senior Member

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    When CC marinized the MEL, they turned the engine around (physically) and put a gear drive timing set in on the (now) back end of the engine.
  9. K1W1, Dec 31, 2009
    #9
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Thanks for the heads up.

    I guess I should stick to commenting on what I know about particular engines and not generalise then.:)

    Although I would imagine that unless they changed the position of the crank primary gear then the cam/crank relationship is still the same with gears not chain and sprockets.