introducing myself

[KD Colton]

Hi All!  My name is Dawn and I live in Eastern Montana.  I have a 1960 buick invicta, 4-door hardtop that I would love to bring back to life.  My first task is to see if the engine is locked up.  Can any of you tell me what size the nut for the crankshaft at the front of the engine is?  Since the car is approx 200 miles away from me, I'd like to take the correct wrenches with me!  Thanks all!

[Walt G]

Dawn - if you haven't joined the Buick Club of America yet do so! they have club technicians who give very sound advice and can guide you to getting your car on the road or suggesting to you who can if it become to overwhelming. It takes a lot of patience and time to get a car properly sorted that you can drive and thus enjoy.  Try to get the car closer to you so you can spend some time on it - even if that is just sitting behind the wheel and thinking "yep this is gonna make me happy". The Buick club magazine comes out once a month!!! The dues are worth it just for the magazine.

Walt

[JohnD1956]

Welcome Dawn. Good luck with your Invicta. 

How much do you know about the car in terms of its mechanical attributes? And what is your level of mechanical skills? It always seems bad when we assume some one has a skill level and thus wind up responding at a level way below their abilities. 

As for that car, an Invicta should have the larger displacement motor available that year but the two engines look very similar. Your should be a 401. And before trying to rotate the engine I would pull the spark plugs and squirt a rust buster mix of acetone and trans fluid into each cylinder (50/50) and leave it sit as long as you can wait before trying to rotate the crankshaft .  I am not certain which socket you will need but I'd recommend bringing the 7/8ts, 15/16th, 1 inch and the 1 1/8 plus a 1 1/2 just in case.

 

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Hello, Dawn.    Welcome.   By the way, good name.   I have a daughter with that name.

 

  I am pretty certain the bolt will require a 1" socket. John D's suggestion is a good one.  Although, I have sometimes been able to turn the engine with the fan blade.  Might have to apply a pressure to the belt to tighten it some.

 

  Ben

[JFranklin]

8 minutes ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:

Hello, Dawn.    Welcome.   By the way, good name.   I have a daughter with that name.

 

  I am pretty certain the bolt will require a 1" socket. John D's suggestion is a good one.  Although, I have sometimes been able to turn the engine with the fan blade.  Might have to apply a pressure to the belt to tighten it some.

 

  Ben

Many fan blades get damaged by turning an engine, it would be best to use the socket or try the starter with the plugs out.

[old-tank]

21 minutes ago, JFranklin said:

Many fan blades get damaged by turning an engine, it would be best to use the socket or try the starter with the plugs out.

Never activate the starter until you have demonstrated the engine will turn.

Try the crank bolt first. If no turning try prying between the ring gear and the block.

If still no turning remove the rocker assemblies in case there are stuck valves.

If it is still locked... check back...

[EmTee]

How long has the car been sitting and was it stored inside or outside?  In any case, do NOT attempt to start the engine without either draining and flushing the gas tank or temporarily connecting a remote tank.  Posting pictures would also be helpful...