I've just rebuilt an A14 and I've been trying to turn it over and it is really tight. To me it doesn't seem to be anything dramatic, as it turns over okay when the spark plugs are removed.

Is this normal for new engines?

I don't really want to resort to dragging the motor until it starts, I would rather start it on the stand. So if you've got any advice....

heya dude,
it's fairly normal for a fresh engine to be hard to crank,
if the plugs are out and it's ok, sounds like the comp is good,

best to crank it with them out till the oil pressure is up, then whack them back in and start it up..

Good luck, it's exiting to start a new motor..

you check the crank whilst it was out?
Quite normal for a rebuilt engine to feel a little tight with the plugs in. Its when they're out and it feels tight you have a prob lol

Yeah the crank rusted up a little bit when I had it out, I took to it with some fine sandpaper and cleaned it up again though.

I did get a few of the tappets muddled when I stripped it, so I guess those along with new bearings and new rings would explain everything?

Here it is, going into the little 1000 in the next week or so (if I can start the bloody thing).

GOT IT GOING!

Sent 24V through and it fired after a few tries, sounds very, very serious. People in the workshop couldn't believe it was a little A-series.

She turns over okay now just on a small 12V battery. Putting the plumbing on tommorrow so I can run it longer and do some fine tuning.

The ground cam certainly gives a nice note.

I'm very pleased! gonna go and get on the turps I think.

Check out the batteries!!

I had to start it with a weber, sidedraughts don't fit with the extractors on.

whos that in the piccy chris?