Just wanted to express a concern that I have with my new 383. Hoping to get some feedback from the crew here..

How many ft lbs should it take to turn over a motor w/plugs by hand?

Mine is around 90. Car barely cranks. New starter, New optima, etc etc etc.. Fights to turn the motor over.

It does start and run and hits its oil pressure. But this is way too tight in my opinion.

I have not really driven the car, basically just off a trailer into the garage. It has about 30 minutes run time.

I have not had any answers from Nu-tek since late Jan-early Feb when I expressed my concern. I did recieve one e-mail back, but that was the end of contact.

At this point, im afraid the engine might have serious issues, and could even fail.

Thoughts, feedback?

Appreciate it!

Russ

 

if you want something for comparison you can come over to the garage where my motor is in morton grove (not far from you) and you can crank my motor over and you can get a comparison. I put my motor together and it is just a normal old 355 and the crank was baby smooth before we put any pistons/rods on it

 

What kinda compressionand valvesprings are you using? All makes it harder to crank

 

Compression is 9:1

Im running CC 938 springs with about 170 lbs on the seat.

Thanks,

Russ

 

why dont u put any time on the motor?

 

You didn't say what the compression is, but if it's high, 90 is probably not out of line. One of the motors for the race car is ~14.5:1 and is at least that high. I think that company has a good reputation, so they should have a build sheet. Call them and ask what the oil clearances are.

 

With plugs a engine is always hard to turn over, especially with good ring seal. I have engines that are hard to turn over due to my brake in lubes and products. I'm sure NuTek has the build sheet number one and number two has alot of assebly lube in there due to the shipping and lack of a distrbutor hole to prime the engine with.

When you have high compression things like a Tilton Super Starter help turning the engine over alot. A stock battery is probably going to be better for that too, the optima is usually a smaller unit and has less amps available for this.

Bret

 

He has a 9:1 blower motor.

It's significantly harder to turn this motor compared to other motors under the same conditions (plugs in, similar compression)...

I recall thinking that 40-50 ft lbs would be more normal does anyone concur?

Russ is not running the car until he gets an answer from the builder because a lot of us Chitowners think the motor is too tight and we'd rather see him get it checked out rather than grenade it.

Good luck Russ!

 

oh crap

russ or john or jimmy please keep me posted on this will ya?

 

Pull the plugs and see if it's still hard to turn over. At least that will let you rule out some other things. I'm sure they checked the crank straightness when they bolted everything down but who knows.
I'd pull the plugs and see what happens. Then go from there.

-Mindgame

 

With the plugs out it does turn over easier.
But its still pretty tight. With a smaller battery and the older starter the motor wouldnt even turn over. It took a new starter and optima to get it to go.

I could put time on the motor, but the weather here is still crap and I would like to put my mind at ease that this is normal.

I know of friends cars with higher comp blower motors that turn over with ease.

Appreciate all your feedback!

Russ

 

i completly agree with u, why risk damage when u can be made sure there is no problems. good luck and keep us posted. btw why arnt u able to get ahold of them? doesnt sound right for such a well known company?

 

The only number that comes to my mind is 50, I could try my stocker for a number, but I can take the balancer and spin it with my hands, all plugs on the heads. Its a bit herky jerky but I can still do it.

I would be worried that the bearings are at risk, but I really dont know, I'd be nervous as well.

 

Damn Russ you still haven't gotten that car moving?

Have you called Nick? I know he has been in and out of the place a lot lately and I have had a hard time getting ahold of him. I did talk to him for a bit today. I'll be there on Thursday if you want me to ask him.

 

They might have missed the main bearing clearance. Or the crank straightness. What kind of crank is it?

Bret