The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
Help is a click away!

VEHICLE
INFORMATION
KITS


at the

GM Heritage Center
All the details are here.

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
8 members (Gray_Ghost, Biermann, Hugh63c10, SmalltownTRKGuy, Phak1, Buckeye998, Gdads51, dt235sd), 138 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,165
Posts1,056,987
Members48,458
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,146
J
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
J Offline
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,146
How to manually turn crank on a 1954 Chevy 235 engine?
Engine is in the truck and attached a Hydra-Matic transmission.
Starter is Kaput.
How can you get a breaker bar on the crank?
Or is there a better way to turn over engine to see if engine is froze?
Any ideals appreciated,


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,865
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,865
Remove the starter. Use the chisel end of a shepherd's-crook shaped wrecking bar in the flywheel teeth through the starter hole. Be careful about how much force you apply- - - -those Hydramatic flywheels are hard to find, don't want to break any teeth off. Soak the cylinders with lightweight oil or Diesel fuel for a few days before trying to turn it over.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270
I have used a 1/2" drive ratchet with a 3/4" drive-end-adapter in the hole in the front of the harmonic balancer (1954). Earlier years do not have the same size/shape hole in the front of the harmonic balancer, and later year balancers might be different (my 1960 261 balancer is different).

I have also used HrL's technique.

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,146
J
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
J Offline
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,146
Would a strap wrench have enough bite and strength?
Removing fan belt and attaching to the harmonic balancer.
Chain type Chain might damage belt pulley?
Strap type
Strap type in action Scroll to 1st post 2nd picture on right.
What ya think?

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,399
D
Gas Pumper
Gas Pumper
D Offline
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,399
Just be sure you have used all precautions to ensure the engine will not start when you do that. Good way to get hurt. The earlier 216's had a HB that was shaped so the crank would kick out when it started.


Deve

1950 Chevy 3100 Deluxe Cab
1950 Chevy 3100 Standard Cab
In the Stovebolt Gallery
The Think Tank
More info and tips at Deve's Technet
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,146
J
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
J Offline
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,146
All spark plugs are removed for the easiest turning.
Eliminating any compression and kick back.
All cylinders lubed, to ensure friction free piston ring to cylinder wall movement.


Moderated by  Phak1, Woogeroo 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0