Frozen Festiva

[Siataowner]

Hello, I am need of some ideas about how to free up my '93 Festiva engine. It was saved from a wrecking yard crusher about 15 years ago, but was put into a garage without any sparkplugs left installed. I now have the car, and would like to get it running again. I have tried using Marvel Mystery oil mixed with automatic transmission oil, and let it soak for about a month with repeated additions of more oil, with sparkplugs installed. I removed the timing belt cover, got a new belt, and installed that......also made sure it was in park, or neutral (it is an automatic), and have been using a wrench with a cheater bar on the lower pulley to try an break it free.......with no luck. I am thinking that perhaps there is a pawl or restriction pin in there that won't allow it to turn over, but am not sure. I also would like to get it running again because the rest of the car is all complete, and worth saving. Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated. I am 88 years old, and am a little apprehensive about doing a whole engine swap if I can avoid it. Thanks.

[WmWatt]

I read farmers put diesel fuel into the spark plug holes of engines left idle for long periods of time, farming being a seasonal activity. You might want to remove the timing belt and alternator belt so you are not trying to turn them by hand when you are trying to turn the crankshaft by hand You won't damage the valves as the engine is free wheeling. You might also try tapping on the handle of the cheater bar with a large hammer to get an impact wrench effect. Hope you get it to turn over.

[zoe60]

I'll bet there is rust on the cylinder walls. You need to take off the head and look. You could remove it with emery cloth but it will never be a perfect seal. I did that with an air compressor, and it works very well now.

[Studebaker]

Did the cam turn when the belt was off? This will tell you if the problem is in the head or block or both.

I have completely filled the crankcase with oil to get lube to the crank and rod bearings.

It may be time to remove the head. And start banging on the pistons with a block of wood and a big hammer.

Be sure the trans is not in gear.

The car was junked for a reason. Which may be why you can't get the engine to turn over.