First, a suggestion, based on close to 60 years' experience building engines, including a lot of 216's. Put 3 flywheel bolts into the rear flange of the crankshaft, and use a 3-foot long piece of 1 1/2 inch flat bar as a lever to turn the crankshaft. You'll be a lot less likely to damage anything that way.
Second, you've got WAY too much drag on the engine, so disassemble it and start over. This time, check the gap on every piston ring before you assemble them over the pistons by pushing each ring a couple of inches down into the cylinder with an inverted piston and using a feeler gauge to measure the gap. It should be a minimum of 12-15 thousandths near the bottom of the ring travel. Check every ring! If a ring doesn't have enough gap, file the ends until it's right. If you manage to force a too-tight ring into the engine when it's cold, you'll lock up the engine and score the cylinder(s) as soon as it warms up a little and the rings expand.
Next- - - -USE PLASTIGAUGE ON EVERY ROD AS YOU ASSEMBLE IT! Do- - - -not- - - -assume- - - -anything is right until you measure it, unless you're fond of building the engine up 3 or 4 times before you get it right.
Yes, the cylinders are numbered 1-6, starting at the water pump end. Have fun!
Jerry
