Old-school SBC. How TIGHT should it be?

I came across an old 350 Chevy that was rebuilt in the early '90s and never fired. With all the plugs out it was all i could do to get it to turn over with a 2' Craftsman flex handle. Thinking something was wrong, I pulled her apart and even just the short-block assembly was tight...albeit not AS tight. Everything looks brand new inside and there is no scouring on the piston walls or broken rings or anything I can find. I'm not sure what (if any) assembly lube was used.

How much torque should it take to spin a freshly assembled V8?

Thanks

I've used 14" 1/2" drive ratchets before.

Carro Atrezzi wrote: I came across an old 350 Chevy that was rebuilt in the early '90s and never fired. With all the plugs out it was all i could do to get it to turn over with a 2' Craftsman flex handle. Thinking something was wrong, I pulled her apart and even just the short-block assembly was tight...albeit not AS tight. Everything looks brand new inside and there is no scouring on the piston walls or broken rings or anything I can find. I'm not sure what (if any) assembly lube was used. How much torque should it take to spin a freshly assembled V8? Thanks

ps..All the torques on both the rod and main bearings were within spec

My textbook lists a 30 pound-feet maximum for a v8 (rotating. initial break away could be higher) for crank/rods/pistons

Did you take the plugs out before attempting to rotate it by hand?

yamaha wrote: Did you take the plugs out before attempting to rotate it by hand?

second sentence?

That sounds awful tight. Look carefully for a reversed rod or main cap, easily spotted because the end of the bearing shell will have a shiny spot where the crank rubbed it. It's worth Plastigauging too.

Rust in the cylinder bores will cause this too but generally is easily visible, not to mention you'd hear a scraping sound.

In reply to Carro Atrezzi:

My bad, I missed that. If the piston rings aren't causing this from lack of assembly lube, I think curmudgeon is onto something here.

Wrong/oversized rings?

I say stick rings. Soak with wd40, repeat.

Jaxmadine wrote: I say stick rings. Soak with wd40, repeat.

Yep, MMO, WD40, PB Blaster.... whatev.

Can you hear the compression building even a little when you can turn it? 20+ years is a while even if stored in a climate controlled area.