The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Freeing Up Stuck Engine

I've put Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders through the Spark Plug Holes. I also drained the sump and found a large amount of water. After draining the oil pan, I reinstalled the plug and refilled the radiator. My thoughts are to let it sit overnight and then redrain and see if I have any significant amounts of water there. I figure if I do the I have either a cracked block or head (216. If not, I was thinking of the replacing the drain plug and refilling the crankcase with deisel and letting it sit for a few days, then redrain and see if things are freed up. Opinions? I do have access to a 52 216 which I will be using, but this is the original engine in my 42 and I'd like to salvage it if possible. :confused:

PS - the engine sat uncovered for a time before I got it with the carb exposed to the elements. The water may have come in from there. Just don't know.

If this was open to the elements then I'll bet you'll find at least one cylinder full of water - and any attempt to turn it over might be fruitless. Your rings will be rusted to the cylinder walls... You'll probably just want to bite the bullet and pull off the head and see.

-Boyo

Several years ago I had one like yours. When I drained the oil antifreeze ran out first. It was stuck fast. I removed the head to find one of the cylinders had coolant standing in it about 2" deep on top of the piston. Those rings were rusted to the cylinder. It had a cracked head. I got another block and head and built-up a motor with parts from about 5 motors.
The 216 was stuck in the 50 Chevy I have now when I got it. I drained the oil and flushed out the pan/sump with diesel. I did not find any water. I removed the spark plugs and applied a generic light penetrating oil about the weight of 3in1 or sewing machine oil. After a few days I did it again. I did this almost daily until I ran out of that stuff then I went to Marvels. I waited about 3 weeks before I tried to turn it over. I put on a new battery and it turned over fine. I am running this motor now.
Some of the old tractor websites have remedies for freeing stuck engines. Motorcycle guys run into this too. Good luck!

You could have stuck valves too. Look closely at each plug as you take them out the one with rust on it will tell you what cylinder had standing water. The old 216's had cast iron pistons that some times stick to the cylinder walls also. You can loosen the valves with wd40 or like oils. When you do try to turn the engine over leave the plugs out incase of any standing water or solvent in the cylinders. All good things come in time and it may take plenty

I have used ATF to free motors. Pour the ATF in the cylinders through the spark plugs and reinstall the plugs. Let it set for a day or two and then try and turn over. The ATF will loosen the rust and if starts it will smoke like crazy. If your rings and cylinder walls are rusted as well as any other parts that move in tight quarters, scarring is most likely going to happen. Have a good time with the hone after you get it to turn freely.