1989 Jeep Cherokee Crank shaft not turning

ANDREW MCINTIRE

MEMBER
1989 JEEP CHEROKEE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I am replaceing the connecting rod bearings, piston rings and had the head rebuilt. When I went to torque down the rod bearings I could not turn the crank shaft. The motor is still in the jeep. I loosened all the main bearings and made sure the jeep was in nuetral and still will not turn. I checked my cam and it moves freely. All the electricals are disconnected. Is there any thing electrical that can be holding it? Or is there something machanical that could be stopping me.

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

See my profile, I will name all I can think of mechanically, remember other people could have made mistakes!

Wrong bearings

Bearings installed in wrong places

Bearing is not properly placed, in slot, on rod and or cap (will not seat in, held up by bearing "tab"---not in slot, torque is trying to cram it somewhere)

You mixed the caps up, they are usually marked, and only work with their mate!

You have rotated the caps (or a cap) 180 degrees, even though they are with their mate, they are not mated correctly.

Foreign material, under bearing

All I can come up with, on the spot,

Let me know what has happened

If you muffed your bearings at all, replace them now, while it is opened up! Cheating will have you in there again, maybe with worse problems!

Saw no one had give you an answer, I try, sorry I didn't see you sooner, I usually answer Real Jeep stuff.(5s and 7s)

I hope its a simple fix!

Love, Turddog