Recently I dropped the pan and plasti-gauged my 49 216 but didn't change anything w/any of the bearings. I did one at a time and put everything back together as they came apart.
With the plugs removed I was able to grab hold of the flywheel and somewhat easily turn the crank but after I replaced the bottom rope seal in the rear bearing cap I couldn't budge it by hand. I had to use a large screw driver on the flywheel teeth to turn it.
I agree w/the consensus it's probably the rope seal. Course new rings coupled w/tight bearings will tighten it up too.
Dave
