dan1066

1982 five speed. I removed the engine, using WSM. While the engine was out, I rebuilt the heads, replaced software and the wiring harness.

The engine is re-installed, heads on. I'm attempting to put the crank back at TDC but it keeps rotating back to its original position as soon as I remove torque. All eight spark plugs are removed. Cams are set to their timing marks. Timing belt is not installed. The engine is disconnected from the torque tube.

Any suggestions?

LT Texan

I hold it at TDC with a ratchet and use my other hand to thread the belt.

dan1066

Thanks LT Texan. Just to clarify, the crank rotates about 60 degrees when I take the torque off.

GlenL

Something is wrong with this picture. How does it feel when you turn the engine by hand? Any mods that'd make the valves touch the pistons? It's an '82 US, correct?

dan1066

Correct, 82 US. No modifications. The engine turned over and stayed put when it was out of the car. The only difference now is that the heads and clutch are installed.

dan1066

And the engine is back in the car.

dan1066

It feels like there is some spring force that is working against the torque I am applying to rotate the engine. I've done heads and timing belts before on 4 &6 cylinder VW's and never had anything like this happen before.

GlenL

Does it alternately pull and push as you spin it? How many pulses per revolution?

dan1066

No pulses. I haven't tried to turn it a full revolution but force is fairl constant. When I get it to TDC, it rotates CCW when torque is removed. I haven't rotated it past TDC.

GlenL

With no plugs in, no timing belt and no connection to the torque tube it should go around smoothly. Like it did on the stand. Is the clutch jamming on something? I take it you've got the coupler to the torque tube slid back.

The Deputy

Agree, you've got something put together wrong on the clutch end of things or something.

There is no reason for the crank to rotate on its own. Even if you did have the spark plugs in and the timing belt on it shouldn't do this once the compression has passed by the rings of any cylinder on compression stroke. I'd rotate the engine crank around a couple complete revolutions and make sure it at least does that without obstruction.

If the torque tube shaft is disconnected...that takes the trans out of the equation.

Is the starter on the engine, maybe you have an issue there?

Brian.

jon928se

Something amiss. T Belt is not installed thus presumably the harmonic balancer is not installed either - How do you know it is at TDC ?

If HB is installed it is possible that the outer part (with the markings on) has become loose on the inner part that bolts to the crank - thus you could think you are at TDC when you are not.

dan1066

Crank gear, harmonic balancer and pulleys are installed. Based on all the input, my plan is to 1. Verify the torque tube is disconnected 2. Try to rotate engine with the clutch disengaged and 3. Drop the starter and try to rotate the engine.

Thanks for all the input. I will report back soon.

Imo000

This is bizarre. Maybe the timing belt is binding up on the crank gear and acting like a spring?

Mrmerlin

put the trans into neutral