If you choose to remove the new starter for bench testing, there is plenty of room to use a pry bar on the flywheel teeth through the starter hole to engage the teeth. With that amount of leverage available, the engine should turn easily. It's still simpler to use the weight of the vehicle to bump the engine over by putting the transmission in gear and pushing (by hand). Don't get tempted to tow the truck and pop the clutch with the transmission in gear- - - -you can break an axle, damage the transmission, or bend connecting rods if the engine is seized up tightly.
Jerry
Thanks, Jerry. Man, appreciate the insight. If I hadn't saw the truck running in a video, I would have thought I was crazy, but it just doesn't seem right ---- like something happened to it. In any case, hopefully I can get it running properly.
Definitely needs a fair share of work to get it running right. Will try the bench starter routine and flywheel/engine turnover procedures and report back.
Thanks.
