258 wont turn over

Just bought a 258 that was running and now I cant get it to turn over. Had the starter checked and replaced the solenoid, removed spark plugs so there would be no compresion and tried to turn engine over by hand. Tried to jump start it and still nothing. When I enstalled the engine I made sure that the clutch was installed right, meaning the right side facing fly wheel. It seems that the fly wheel is in a bind, I'm at wits end with this please help if you can. Thanks,
James

 

Put a socket and breaker bar on the front of the crank and see if you can rock it back and fourth. If so, then try to spin it all the way around. Did you by any chance have the top off the tranny?

 

No I didn't have the top off. All I did was install the fly wheel and clutch and a pilot bushing. I did try moving it back and forth but no luck.

 

Was it turning over before the Flywheel and clutch? Flywheel and clutch orgional to the Jeep?

 

Are the bolt holes in the flywheel blind? Certainly the flange bolts are not. If one of the bolts goes through the flange and interferes with the block, that would lock up the engine.

 

I heard the engine run when I bought it. It came out of an automatic, so I had to use my clutch and flywheel. While it was on my stand it would turn by hand.

 

Is it a newer engine? could there be a difference in the crankshafts?

 

It came of a 79 and mine is a 78, in fact the block and casting numbers are the same.

 

I'm going to break it back loose and start over with the flywheel and go from there. Thanks for the input. I'll keep you posted. James

 

my money is on a bolt that is too long somewhere

Or the clutch hitting something, like the bell housing

 

The problem was the rear bearing cap. I had used one off of another engine that had a better seal in it . Never again will I cut conners to save a doller. After I purchased a rear main seal and put the orignal bearing cap back on it turned over by hand like a charm. This is a lesson learned. You can not switch the caps out as I have. Thank you guys for all the input. James

 

Glad you got it figured out. The bearing caps are machined with the block. They cannot be interchanged from another block without complete disassembly of the engine and expensive machine work. Same with connecting rods, differential bearing caps, etc.

 

The things about old jeeps you learn as you go.

 

Just be aware this is not unique to Jeeps. Goes for pretty much all manufacturers.

 

:iagree: those caps are line bored to insure a straight line