390 Issues !

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   Hey guys, I purchased a newly rebuilt 390 FE motor. I put it in my 1938 ford P/U. Once I bolted it to the torque convertor, I tried to turn the motor over to get to the other 2 bolts. I CAN"T BUDGE THE MOTOR? I am worried about breaking the bolt in the crank.
I sprayed WD40 in the spark plug holes. Spark plugs are out, I primed the motor with the distributor out.

Any ideas? Whats the deal? Did the builder torque the crank down? thx

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carguy47 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-October-2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Status: Offline Points: 365	Post Options Post Reply Quote carguy47 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 390 Issues ! Posted: 19-November-2014 at 8:49AM
	Hey guys, I purchased a newly rebuilt 390 FE motor. I put it in my 1938 ford P/U. Once I bolted it to the torque convertor, I tried to turn the motor over to get to the other 2 bolts. I CAN"T BUDGE THE MOTOR? I am worried about breaking the bolt in the crank. I sprayed WD40 in the spark plug holes. Spark plugs are out, I primed the motor with the distributor out. Any ideas? Whats the deal? Did the builder torque the crank down? thx
	You have to build em to drive em!

Rockatansky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Online Points: 5846	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rockatansky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-November-2014 at 9:00AM
	the engine was free before tightening the 2 converter bolts?
	72 GT Ute

carguy47 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-October-2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Status: Offline Points: 365	Post Options Post Reply Quote carguy47 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-November-2014 at 9:40AM
	you know what, i did not check. Assumption is the mother of all #$%#$@.
	You have to build em to drive em!

Rockatansky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Online Points: 5846	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rockatansky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-November-2014 at 10:43AM
	I like to rotate the engine 90* at a time while I run the oil pump w/o the rotations the lifters don't cycle the plungers & flow oil to the rockers
	72 GT Ute

californiajohnny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14512	Post Options Post Reply Quote californiajohnny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-November-2014 at 1:55PM
	another possibility: the converter isn't all the way into the pump and binding, you may try loosening the bell housing bolts and move the tranny away from the engine about 1/8" see if the crank turns!
	JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

Big Bird Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194	Post Options Post Reply Quote Big Bird Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-November-2014 at 2:02PM
	^^^ Johnny beat me to it^^^ Unbolt and see if it cranks.
	"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?

75GranMan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05-April-2011 Location: Colchester, CT Status: Offline Points: 1225	Post Options Post Reply Quote 75GranMan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-November-2014 at 2:49PM
	If the engine rotates when unbolted.and the converter is seated all the way into the pump. Check and make sure you have the correct flexplate. I once was given the incorrect flex plate by the local parts jobber. When bolted together the flexplate drove the converter into the front pump...Drove the car about 1/4 mile before the converter wiped the pump out.I was not happy!
	John 75Gran Torino 4spdTighten it down until it snaps and then back it off a half turn!

tyfaciane Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 05-November-2019 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote tyfaciane Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15-November-2019 at 2:18AM
	I know this is a very old thread, but.... The bolts holding the flexplate on are too long! They're going thru the flange on the end of the chrankshaft and binding against the back of the block. there are 3/4" long bolts for automatic without reenforcement ring there are 15/16" bolts for Manual Transmission Flywheel or Automatic Flexplate with reenforcement ring. I use the 3/4" bolts with all Automatic Flexplate Applications I use 15/16" bolts with all Manual Transmission Applications Don't ask how I know this - lol!
	68 Mustang 390GT Coupe - Project 69 Torino GT 428CJ Fastback - Project

Rockatansky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Online Points: 5846	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rockatansky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16-November-2019 at 6:57AM
	i have at least 3 different length flex/fly bolts in my stash, maybe 4 different lengths
	72 GT Ute