engine stuck!! or clutch?!!

hey,
So yesterday i caused a problem and don't know why it did happen. it happened the following way ....
i wanted to adjust the ignition timing on my 2.25 petrol engine. I took alll four spark plugs out of it and let the engine turn 5-6 turns on the starter motor. (24 volt system because it is originally from the army) ....
then i turned it over with a long screwdriver to set timing .(near the point where to set the ignition).

and now it is stuck on that position. i am not able to turn it with the starter or turn it forwards with my hands.
Then i put the fourth gear in it to push it backwards .. engine still didn't turn over. I thought it could be the clutch, so I refilled the clutch system. now it is giving some resistance by pushing it to the floor ( which is normal).

what can cause this problem ???because it turned nicely before i set timing

Where did you put the screwdriver?

i used it to turn over the flywheel on the crankshaft .
u think it is because the engine is not mounted correctly to the gearbox???

take the plugs out try turning by hand

i took the spark plugs out and tried to turn it by hand yesterday. No movements at all....
could it be a problem with the clutch ?!!

Didn't leave the screw driver in did you?
So it's not in gear, plugs out and it won't turn over?
Unless the clutch/flywheel is some how jamming on the bell housing , I don't see how that can lock the motor. Could anything of fallen through the inspection hole?
How about taking the starter motor off and turning it from there.

Could be you've jammed the starter motor bendix in the flywheel - it's the only thing I can think of that would jam the engine.
I usually turn the engine over by hand by using the starting handle.

Screwdriver on the flywheel is the worst way to turn an engine over
Always turn it from the crack pully

You did turn it the correct direction of rotation ? Might have slipped something on the belt if you went backwards

why have i got this idea or horrible thought that hes turned the engine backwards and jammed the timing chain on the sprockets or slipping a tooth off when the chain tensioner slackens off causing the valves to come out of time and jam against the piston faces

it shouldnt do that if tensioner is in servicable condition as tensioner has ratchet mechanism to stop it compressing

Even if it slips a tooth the engine will still turn. And just about run. And get you home!

i am going to take the starter off to see if that could solve the problem...
NO , i didn't it the wrong way!! . Because i have no starting handel , i had to use a screwdriver ..

the engine only has 25.000 kilometers on the clock and ran several month ago...

so i just took off the starter and i can't turn the engine backwards or forwards by hand.

now bench test your starter to make sure that when you apply current it works as it should and please tell me you are turning the engine backwards with the spark plugs out and if you dont have a starting handle make one anything but use a screwdriver

You may have been unlucky and have TDC lockout.Most likley to happen on a motor that has had little use,it can be very hard for a motor to start turning when pistons have stopped at tdc/bdc.Only seen it once in 40 years,had to remove head and wack pistons with lump of wood to free them, then it worked.

So i tested the starter and it works how it should be...
And i dont think it has a TDC lockout because the engne turned on the starter without problems before

i am goingto take the gearbox out tomorow and if then it wont turn over i will see if the clutch is causing the problem.....
thank you very much guys for helping me

it may have started before as it probably wasnt stuck in TDC

I think the clutch that locks the engine because I may be wrongly mounted the engine onto the gearbox..
What do you think ?

piston-return-spring said:

I think the clutch that locks the engine because I may be wrongly mounted the engine onto the gearbox..
What do you think ?

Click to expand...

You seem to be slightly obcessed about the clutch? If it was turning before why would it be a problem now?

As said you have either dislodged something poking about with a screwdriver or you have TDC lock

Try pushing it along in gear. Then try getting someone to push it along while you hold the clutch in. Should tell you if the clutch is operating.
You could try rocking it hard in a high gear to see if the engine turns or frees. I think if it was mine I would take the rocker cover off and check nothings bent or broken. Timing chain tight etc then pop an egg cup full of oil into each spark plug hole leave it over night and see if I could rock it free in gear. Maybe loosen the alternator/ fan belt off also.
It must be something simple. I cant see that you can have done damage just turning it over with a screwdriver.