Can anyone suggest what I might try next. I have mostly re-assembled my
'64 MK III Sprite HAN 8 L 39070 following a bare metal restoration. I
did not dismantle the engine at all as it had been rebuilt 4,000 miles
previously and was running beautifully prior to dismantling. I did
disconnect the transmission and replace the clutch.
Last weekend having finished wiring in the new harness and charging the
battery I turned the key only to have the starter respond with a single
"thump". The engine didn't budge a millimeter. I took out the plugs and
tried to turn the engine by pushing the car in 4th gear. It seams the
pistons are stuck fast. The engine is being rocked on the mounts by the
torque but nothing is moving. Over the past week I have been spraying
copious amounts of "Liquid Wrench" penetrating fluid into the cylinders
to no avail.
I have removed the starter to be sure it's not the problem and it has
been suggested to me that I try to lever the flywheel by working a
crowbar against the ring gear. This sounds a bit iffy to me as I think
my minds eye sees a ring gear tooth or two flying around the garage
accompanied by somewhat ripe language resulting from the removal of a
square inch or two of skin from my knuckles.
The engine was out from the car for less than 18 months and stored in my
garage with the plugs in.
Has anyone else been in this situation or are there any good ideas out
there. Thanks
Bob Askew
robert_askew@bc.sympatico.bc
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