engine rebuild question

[steve from staten island]

My 383 short block is together less the cam and lifters. All the clearances were checked and were ok. The crank spun free when it was installed. I used a assemble lube that the machinists gave me at work. They use it on the engines they rebuild and the foreman who basically was born into the business told me it was ok. My question is this,as we speak its snowing and its been colder than a witch's tit. The garage is not heated and when im out there i use a small heater to try and keep warm,so i know that affect's things. I can turn the engine over using a strap wrench which has about a ten inch handle. The motor spins free but it does feel tight. Im just wondering between the assemble lube,the oil on the walls and cold is this to tight. Any thoughts are welcome

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Because it's so firkin cold!! Wait till the temps are back up over 50 and it will spin as it did before:blob1:

 

[Cranky]

And engine with pistons etc does have some resistance.....and being cold probably does make it feel tighter since your oil isn't as fluid as it is when warmer.

 

[eric383]

X2 Cranky, those pistons and rings will add drag to the assembly.

 

[snakeoil24]

It really is cold and don't worry, like everyone said above 50 is a different deal.

 

[WP29440SE]

the second it fires it will loosen up. use a manual oil pressure gauge when you do and keep an eye on the pressure

 

[Meep-Meep]

Put a torque wrench on the crank and keep adjusting until you get a reading when it breaks loose. Or just use a beam wrench and read the scale. This will at least assign a value and give us more info. But with new rings they are a bit tight - maybe 50 - 60 ft lbs.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

It spun freely with the mains torqued down? If not, it could need to be line bored......................MO

 

[miller]

You've already said the crank and other parts spun free. The cold weather is going to really affect the lube on your parts, and the more you rotate 'em, your wiping the lube off. Wait until things warm up.
Especially with a motor sitting like that, when you do get ready for the finish, I'll highly recommend you do a good pre-oil, before you close the motor up, and fire it up. Make sure on the pre-oil, your at least getting oil to your rocker arms.