Frank,

I forgot that the rear plate covers everything, so there is no chance of what I asked about happening with the plate in place.

That leaves the front end.

agreed. hopefully tomorrow we will know!!!

Frank, I know what your problem is;
Your engine is in upside down

Don: Is this better?

Phew, I feel better.
Dang. Thought I had the answer!

Frank,

Do you think that there is any chance that the timing chain tensioner could have come off and is jammed in the gears? Those cotter pins are really tiny, but there should be no way for the pin to fall out, unless it has broken somehow?

We considered that but the material is so thin, we doubt that it could hold up to the torque we applied (300 - 400 lb-ft). Now a broken and bunched-up timing chain is another matter!

Well, if the chain broke, either the cam or crank will turn. It would be very odd that both are locked up at the same time, with a broken chain.

Notice on this old picture, how it would have to either jam the cam or the crank.

EDIT: The more I look at this the more I feel that I could be wrong. Given the right circumstances, there is enough chain to jam both.

According to your picture if the chain IS jammed none will turn,but you wouls think with the chain slop a little movement would be there.

I can't wait to see that cover come off and what's hiding in there.

Good point, Paul. First order of business here would be that cover.

yes, but first we did have about 30 degrees of movement, but that decreased each time we tried to rotate the engine. Almost like something was getting further and further jammed - that's why we suspect the chain. We will know soon.

I wish the mechanic didn't have other things to do (that would earn some money).This sure is a pain in his pocket book. And has my schedule screwed!

I called the shop this morning. The film crew is setting up as I write this post.

Looks like Frank has discovered the Bold and the color button

Yes. I did and my life will never be the same!

Frank.
If the flywheel bolts are even slightly long they will penetrate into the aluminum rear seal housing.
PO did that, and I've changed to the rubber seal, and carefully measured bolt length with washers to avoid that problem.
Good luck,
Emmett

I'm awaiting and watching with bated breath. Sorry to be looking on at
your expense, but I am baffled and quite interested to know what deep-seated
in-the-bowels of your engine issue could wrek such havoc.

Best of luck and I'm certainly sorry to hear....but anxious to know.

I was thinking Emmett's comment could be the culprit, but I still can't figure out why the car turned over completely initially. If the flywheel bolts were the problem I'd think you'd see aluminum shavings in the bellhousing.

Good luck Frank!

Randy

The suspense is killing me............

Between this and Dale's problem, it's like flipping between two great TV shows.