Per my comments on 1/10, I have started pulling the engine. Everything is disconnected except the engine mounts, tranny shifters and driveline. I am working on it as weather allows, but should have it out by this weekend.
I would like to clarify something from that post... when I turn the engine by hand with the plugs out it will turn but is tight enough that I have to use a glove to keep the fan blade from leaving a permanent dent in my palm. However, after turning about 1/8 turn it grabs much tighter. I need to use much more effort to get it over this point before it will turn tightly but smoothly for another short distance and grab again. You might want to say that this is because of compression, but I have all the plugs out so there will be no compression in the cylinders. I also don't think it is valves because there is no valve sound when it is running and the compression is up to snuff when I test that. Once I get it out I will take off the pan and see if perhaps the crank shims are wrong and it has too much play or has chewed up the bearings. I has never knocked like a rod or had any valve rattle.
