Hi, as the title states I have wanted to own an F-body since I was in high school, and this past weekend that wait came to an end. It is as in the signature, I bought it knowing that it would not crank. Previous owner had an SS hood, and it rained heavily and water was found in the intake hose. At the end of this post is what the crank sounds like. Not light clicks like the battery is dead, but heavy, repeated thunks.

It also has some minor cosmetic and electrical issues, but the body and interior are in really good shape. If I can get the engine issue sorted out, I'll be pretty happy. Next step will likely be pulling the plugs and rotating the engine manually. It was able to move a bit yesterday with a breaker, but with plugs in and the trans in park.

Let me know if I should take a different course, or if you have heard this sound before. Thanks.

 

don't know what is going on with u tube but its not linking to posts on our site for some reason. I had to search on u tube to find and play. I have never heard a sound like that even with a locked up engine. it very well could be hydrolocked so as you said pull plugs and try to turn over. if you got water in cylinders and its not been setting to long the water should come out. lots of bad things could be wrong from this but you won't know till it get sorted out.

 

The sound was the battery being dead. Confirmed though that the engine won’t turn over, it is behaving like I would expect if there was liquid in the cylinders.

At least now my next step is definitive. Now how to figure out how to remove the spark plugs, because I’m not sure I can put my hands on any of them from the top.

 

What year/model are we dealing with here?
Since the video won't play we have no clue what the car or motor is.
Before you try to turn the motor over again get those plugs out and pour some marvel mystery oil or the like in there or if nothing else plain motor oil.
You want to soak those rings and pistons to loosen up as much rust as possible.
I like to do it a couple of times,first time let it sit a day or two to work it's way into the rings then turn it 180 degrees and repeat the process.
Good luck and congrats!

 

I thought I had added it to my signature, but it's a 94 Z28. The video doesn't matter anymore, as I determined the actual sound was from the starter not getting enough juice. Going to start the plug removal process today, thanks for the tip about the rings.

 

Well so it's an early LT1,some of the plugs are a real PITA,I had my mechanic do plugs and wires when I had my '93 Z28.
He put it on a lift and dropped part of the exhaust to get at #8,I have big hands and never would have been able to get it from above.
Good luck with it!
Oh and I see it now in your sig.

 

gonna want a swivel head rachet and a short spark plug socket may need a swivel joint for the socket and a short extension. been a while sense I done plugs with stock exhaust. its easier to get allot of the plugs from underneath. although with stock exhaust I got most from top. that back one on the passenger side is a *****. with my headers I have to take my starter lose and move it outa the way to get it. be patience it took me all day plus part of another first time. I kept stopping and settling myself down along the way.

 

All the plugs are out. Mixture of top and bottom, but I think all the passenger ones came out the top. Driver side was more bottom. a 90 degree extension saved my butt on #2. Some rust on the tips, and the crank still isn't turning. MMO going in the cylinders tomorrow, and I'll be working on minor stuff while it works. Hopefully.

 

Not a bad idea to pull the valve covers and run some down the pushrods to the lifters as well,a stuck lifter can wreak havoc on the cam and associated parts.

 

That isn't at all a bad idea. Wife brought home a few syringes, that would be perfect for the task. Thanks!