The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 frozen, can't move it...

I am another newbie to Stovebolt and looking for help.
I have a 1950 3600 Chev pretty much complete with a 216 that is froze and I can't get it to move. Have been putting various penetrating oils in the spark plug holes for the last six months all to no avail. I have no idea when it was last run or even turned over.
Speedo showing 50,789 and I would like to save the engine if possible. Any ideas would be appreiciated before I start complete teardown.
Work has slowed and it is time for my winter project to start. Thank you for any ideas and the web site is awesome....

You might try rocking the truck back and forth in low gear, spark plugs out and ATF or marvel in the cylinders.
Jerry

I would start your tear down. If it don't turn over and its stuck, Start your winter project early.

I would get that engine unstuck, if possible, before teardown. Teardown of the engine will be more diffilcult if it is stuck. Have you tried using a crow bar on the front pulley. It works in one direction only due to the hand crank socket "ears".

If it hasn't moved after some time of soaking the cylinders with oil, it's probably time to pull the cylinder head. Don't waste time turning on the vibration damper- - - -you can't develop enough leverage. Take the sheet metal cover off the bottom of the flywheel and use the chisel-shaped end of a shepherd's crook wrecking bar in the flywheel ring gear teeth, braced against the edge of the bellhousing. You can put several hundred ft./lbs. of torque on the crankshaft that way. Just don't get rowdy and break teeth off the flywheel. If the engine moves a little, back up and turn it the other way a few teeth. Keep that up until you can get full turns.

If it's necessary to remove the cylinder head, figure out which piston is moving down, and massage it with a block of hardwood and a BFH while someone alse pries on the flywheel. When that one reaches the bottom, find another one on the way down and do it again. If it's really stuck tight, chances are the cylinders will be rust-pitted badly enough to require a rebore and bigger pistons. Good luck!
Jerry

Thanks Guys for all the info. I have been on the flywheel with a bar and it didn't move but I will try again. Mystery, Kroil, mixtures of brake fluid and ATF,etc. etc. in the cylinders.
I would like to have it loose before I tear it down and maybe even running if possible as it is complete with carb and all other things necessary. I have it on dollys now but may put it on the floor and try rocking it.
It will be a sweet ride when its done as it is a 5 window with the stainless trim package. I want to try to keep it as orginal as possible..Thanks again. I'll let you all know how it goes....

...be patient, give it a few days to work.

Since you have been soaking it for 6 mths , I think its time to pull the head and look a bit further for the cause.