So I am doing my first Honda build. I've got enough parts to start to assemble my d16z6. I put my crank in the block tighten every bolt in sequence and to 38 foot lbs. I tryed to rotate the crank and it is extreamly hard to turn at first then it starts to turn with minimal effort. Is this normal. And when I say extremely hard I mean two hands front and back with all my power to break it free. All that's in the block is the crank no pistons no belts no trans nothing. And to sensed so q's I know are coming yes I plastic gauged the engine it reads .0015 witch is within the .002 service standard. I used stock size bearings. Yes I used assembler lube. The crank is not out of round. Can anyone help. Is it normal for a engine to be this tight.

 

Are you guessing the crank is not out of round? Have you had this block and head check by a machine shop? The first thing I'm going to say is the obvious, that you've done something wrong, torqued to the wrong specs, or something is warped.

 

Everything is torqued to the right spec and yes just got it all back from the shop. I've rebuilt a lot of engines and never ran into this problem but they where all Chevy 350's and 4.3. 2.2. Never a Honda.

 

do you have a cap on backwards?

 

It's all assembled right

 

So you don't even have the rods and pistons in yet and your having this problem?

 

Might sound silly, but did you use assembly lube?

 

He said he did.

 

this happened to me a while back when i was assembling a bottom end for a customer. except for it would not rotate when i torqued all bolts to spec. something was warped. so i assembled everything with out the crank and took it to the machine shop. The machine guy used a micro meter or whatever it was called to measure the diameter of the hole where the crank meets each cap or girdle. he did his thing to make each cap or girdle the same diameter. and it fixed the problem, for how long i dont know bc the shop i worked at got shut down. hope this helps

 

Ok so I pulled everything back apart and used my micrometer on all of the mains with and without the bearings and on the crank every main on about every spot possible. Everything is good I re assembled the engine and use plastic gauge in about five different places on the crank it all reads .0015 witch the book says under .002 is within service standards. I once again re assembled the bottom end no rods used a half bottle of assemble lube " with moley" and it is the same way .

 

Man oh man. I don't know what to say. I would say that I understand your frustration but you seem to be keeping it together and are looking at this constructively. Perhaps the machine shop that did the work for you can take a look at it? By your explanation you've done everything right. Maybe a new set of eyes will help?

 

when you use the plastigauge the bearings need to be in place. is this how your measuring? you should only use it on the top of the crank in between the crank and the bearing. do this with each individual bearing and torque them all to spec with the plastigauge in place. take it apart and check what you get... sorry if im telling you something you already know

 

Ya that is how I used the plastic. I did it. Measured it rotated the crank about 90 degrees did it again and again unfilled I went around the whole crank.

 

Well I have measured everything inside and out. Moved bearings around. Checked clearances over and over. Used more plastic gauge on this build than I have used in my whole mechanical career. I'm just going to continue on and if it don't work ill put a ls1 in it and be done. Thanks for all the help. It means a lot to join a forum and not have everyone in it be a smart ***.

 

Did you ever get it runnin or figure out your problem?? Im having the same exact problem on my B16A. Any input would be apprecited! Thanks!

 

Stop bumping threads just to say you have the same problem.Take it to a machine shop.

 

I put it all together and it runs a one. I think the assembley lube was causing it to stick or something. But I'm at 1500 miles with no issues at all.

 

This thread is only 2 months old so its kinda logical to think he might have his engine together and running. Sorry it bothers you? Anyways thanks for the reply.