Just purchased a Case 1450B with what I was told to be a non-running engine. This is my first piece of heavy equipment. The belief is that a bearing on the crankshaft seized. Is it reasonable or even possible to attempt to turn the engine over by hand with a socket and breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley bolt? I know absolutely nothing about diesel engines. Can they be turned over by hand, or is there too much compression? This hare-brained idea is assuming getting to or accessing the bolt is reasonable. Any idea of the bolt head size?
Welcome to HEF, sbonvilli1 It depends of the extent of the bearing damage. Quite often they will seize on the crankshaft and make it impossible to turn. There is always a chance you could create more problems by putting too much force on the damper bolt. Your best option is to remove the oil pan and visually look at all of the bearings. If you don't have a service manual you prolly should get one. Any motor can be be turned by hand. Well sealed combustion chambers makes it a long slow process. IMHO