big mistake... [updated: no 😇]

[Figoulu]

You couldn’t be more accurate…

Here is a quick update…
I could remove all the rocker arms quiet easily and without turning the engine… anyway it still cannot be turned and is totally stuck back and forth…

At least (little satisfaction) it’s not my fault…

I’m gonna try to investigate but it’s quiet difficult to do without removing the head which I don’t want to do just to avoid to break the warranty…

I sent one more time the endoscope but nothing obvious. The top of the pistons are clean… just a very gentle stamp of a valve on top of some pistons

[Figoulu]

As the camshaft is positioned, we are a TDC on the cyl 4….

As the firing order is 153 624 next cylinder to be fired is number 1.

It’s hard to say like this, but the alignment of the distributor, the mark on the crankshaft pulley and the one on the camshaft appears to be somehow consistent to be at TDC of cyl 1 if we could turn the engine more… see the red lines on the pictures that emphasizes the indexes…

It appears to me that there must be something else blocking the engine.
I think I could not do more to get the answer, in order to avoid to break the warranty of the engine but I bet it’s not because of my valve clearance tuning that the engine is stuck.

[Figoulu]

What about à timing chain opened ? And blocked ?

Now I that I removed the rocker arm cover, I could see clearly the chain link… it’s definitely there and properly locked.

[BobH]

Just a complete guess, but could the starter motor get jammed on the flywheel?

[Figoulu]

Just a complete guess, but could the starter motor get jammed on the flywheel?

Very good idea indeed
I was thinking about to test it… remove it first and check if it could be the culprit… Same applies with the flywheel where something could be stuck around this area…

I did a complete overhaul of the starter myself here https://youtu.be/8ghKjPeb10s?si=Xv8mUc9FmKh2V1OI
… but who knows ?

[yves]

Hi François, your motor adventure is like a netflix série🙈 a cliff hanger at each end of post …!
But i think that you are close to the solution.
WE are with you on that issue.
👋🏻

[Cees Klumper]

Yes I would just remove the starter, not a big job, and see if that frees up the engine.

[ja17]

Good thought on the starter Bob H !

[Figoulu]

Hi François, your motor adventure is like a netflix série🙈 a cliff hanger at each end of post …!
But i think that you are close to the solution.
WE are with you on that issue.
👋🏻

Thanks Yves 😁

Frankly spoken I’m in a way « happy » that apparently I’m not guilty with having done the valve clearance tuning even if it’s a lesson learned, for next time...

By the way in general cases, we normally compensate the head machining, by a head gasket with a thickness corresponding to the material removed, but why on our cars do we have only one ref of head gasket whatever the final thickness of the head is ?
Anybody has the answer ?

[Figoulu]

Good thought on the starter Bob H !

Yes I would just remove the starter, not a big job, and see if that frees up the engine.

That’ll be the next step guys 😁😁 after I get my Easter lunch with my mom… she lives 200kms from my house so I guess you’ll get some fresh news tomorrow, Sunday 😉😉

[Figoulu]

Yep…
The starter is totally stuck guys
Now I need to try to remove it. As of now I couldn’t see how to do and if it has damaged the flywheel 😁

[Figoulu]

Conclusion: starter 1 / flywheel 0
The engine turns by hand smoothly…
Just need to put back the rocker arms and get to know the correct values even if it doesn’t seem to be problematic in my case…

[Figoulu]

No idea yet how to fix it but it’s sold apart… anybody to tell me ?

[wwheeler]

Replacing the ring gear is a common repair. The old one gets machined or pressed off. New ring gear is heated to expand and then pressed on. Any shop that deals with clutches should be able to do it.

[Cees Klumper]

So ...good news on Easter ...

[Philippe VIARD]

Je l'ai fait sur une Triumph TR6. Pour remettre la couronne et selon le livre d'atelier du véhicule, il faut la mettre dans un récipient contenant de l'huile moteur et chauffer l'ensemble . La remise en place s'est bien passée. Je n'ai pas le livre sous la main mais je pourrai si cela vous intéresse vous donner les durée de chauffage et la température à obtenir.

[Figoulu]

Replacing the ring gear is a common repair. The old one gets machined or pressed off. New ring gear is heated to expand and then pressed on. Any shop that deals with clutches should be able to do it.

Good to know. I’m gonna see with my pro how to adress this issue between he and I.
What is your analysis about the reason it went like this ?

[Figoulu]

So ...good news on Easter ...

Yes indeed… I agree.

I’d like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all of you with leads and supportive comments. It’s been a pleasure to post and receive interesting answers. Special thanks for those who pm me and of course for the ones who got the right clue @Daveb and @BobH 👍👍👍👍

[Figoulu]

Je l'ai fait sur une Triumph TR6. Pour remettre la couronne et selon le livre d'atelier du véhicule, il faut la mettre dans un récipient contenant de l'huile moteur et chauffer l'ensemble . La remise en place s'est bien passée. Je n'ai pas le livre sous la main mais je pourrai si cela vous intéresse vous donner les durée de chauffage et la température à obtenir.

Thank you. The best is for me to see directly with the pro who might send me a new flywheel while I would send him back the damaged part. Once again I would like to understand how all this could happen ?

[Figoulu]

As of tonight I removed the intake and exhaust
Removed different connections
I have left for tomorrow:
- gearbox support
- rear axle connexions
- power steering pump

I’ll remove the engine from the car and separate the gearbox.
See you tomorrow for the next steps!

[yves]

What a job already made👍, keep on!
And stay safe …🏋️

[Benz Dr.]

Ring gear is easily removed with a dull chisel. Keep hitting on the ring until it starts to slide off of the flywheel. Place the new ring gear on the flywheel after heating with a torch and it should pretty much drop into place. Once it cools it will be more than tight enough.

[DaveB]

That’s great news, no engine damage!
But may I direct you to reply #8 in this thread? 😉
Maybe ask your mechanic if the starter may have caused the problem. Otherwise it might happen again..

[DaveB]

By the way in general cases, we normally compensate the head machining, by a head gasket with a thickness corresponding to the material removed, but why on our cars do we have only one ref of head gasket whatever the final thickness of the head is ?
Anybody has the answer ?

Is it because the extra clearance can be taken up at the ball studs?

[Figoulu]

That’s great news, no engine damage!
But may I direct you to reply #8 in this thread? 😉
Maybe ask your mechanic if the starter may have caused the problem. Otherwise it might happen again..

Yes sorry this one fell off the radar. Message #42 correctes 😁 Thanks for having given the right lead after only some messages 👍👍

My idea was to try to use the starter again once the engine is outside. I don’t see the problem to try again if I can properly stabilize the engine. I want to know wether the starter or the flywheel ring is the problem.