Made it worse. A lot worse. *facepalm*

[Canyonero]

Long story short. I replaced the head on a Trooper - it was showing symptoms of a burnt valve as we've seen a couple times before on these high mileage iron-heads. I cranked the engine briefly without first changing the oil. Ooops. In the process of replacing the head, coolant had run into the engine, I'd just forgotten to drain it... I changed the oil and primed the oil pump, but the engine is cranking very slowly and can't easily be turned by hand with a 1/2 ratchet (as I was doing when I did the valve lash).

I think I ruined it. Coolant was separated and sitting in the bottom of the pan when I tried to start it and was probably pulled into the engine. What do you think, am I screwed?

I have since changed the oil and primed the oil pump hoping to force through whatever amount was pulled into the engine, but it's still cranking slowly and I haven't had it fire yet...

Battery is charged. I've swapped the battery for a known-good Optima, and it cranked fine before so I think the starter is good. Grounds were not removed from the engine, so I figure they're still good. I'm really worrying that there is no way around pulling the engine now.

[Canyonero]

Nevermind! All is well!

[Canyonero]

So here is what happened: The alternator wasn't working when we got this truck, but it ran ok otherwise (aside from only running on 5 cylinders). So I raided an alternator and a head off a parts truck. That alternator spun when I had it in my hand, but it was noisy. I knew I'd have to replace it, but I figured it would be functional for a couple days until I got a new one. Once I had a belt under tension however, the alternator seized solid. When the engine was cranking, it was actually slipping with quite a lot of resistance on the alternator. I was working on the truck by myself so I didn't spot that it wasn't turning because I was in the cab turning the ignition.

Silly me. Check the simple things first. I don't know how many times I will need to re-learn that...

Stupidly, I think this was the problem that made us think the engine in what became the parts truck was seized. I'm going to see if I can come up with the parts to put it back together now...

[Purple pit]

That was one odd story, but hell it happens.

[pocket-rocket]

I had an a/c compressor on someone's car that did the same but worse once. Made it sound like either the new starter or new battery was bad.

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