<VV> Intermittent Crank Jam?

[BobHelt@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/11/04 12:40:35 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
pottsf@msn.com writes:

<<  <VV> Intermittent Crank Jam? >>

Hi Joe,
I could give you a few guesses, but instead here is what I suggest.

Pull the rocker covers and see if any valve stems are in strange positions. A 
dropped seat should be holding a valve from seating properly. A dropped seat 
should be identifyable.

If nothing, then back off all the rockers to release the valves from the cam. 
Then see it the engine will spin from the starter.

If it spins, then the interference was probably a valve. It may be a slipped 
gear on the crank (or cam)

If no spin, then it is something else likely. It could be a bolt backing out 
in the bell housing contacting the flywheel. Or it could be some bad teeth on 
the cam gear. Pulling the pan might allow you to observe the teeth.

Another possibility is a broken crank that jams when turned one direction., 
but goes Ok in the other.

I'd pull the top cover next and see what the crank looks like. That is rock 
the crank and see if the whole crank moves.

You may have to pull the engine if you find nothing at this point.