OK, I have been doing a fj40 frame off for about 2.5 years now. The story is this: the motor was rebuilt, head shaved alittle, clifford 268 cam, new pistons, new bearings, new rings. I finally got the motor and cowl and such so I could turn it over, actually the TBI is on and ready for fuel, but I wanted to test the ignition system first. SO I went to turn it over and turns over about a 1/4 of a revolution, then it clicks (the click from the solinoid pushing the starter gear out), then that is all it will do click. Put the charger on it with the 55amp jump start mode on and it still clicks, but it looks like the engine is trying to turn, the fan moves about a cm at every click. The motor turns freely by with a socket and breaker bar (the pistons are not mashing into the valves) , but seems kind of tight even with no compession (no plugs). I tried this with two starters that spin fine out of the motor. Everything is getting 12V and I put the battery back in the fj60 and it starts just fine. The battery cables are new, but the only ground I have is from the negitive battery cable to the frame, where do the other ground cables go? should that matter if I only have the one? It is not the battery, not the starter. The only things I can think of is that it is a bad ground/ other connection or the motor is too tight to turn. ANy ideas?
Thanks,
Ricko.

make sure there is a ground from the engine to the frame...also you should prime your oil system.

hth,
Max

It sounds like the engine is too tight. It should only take about 30-40 ft lbs to turn it. Did you check the bearing clearance with plastigauge? I wouldn't try to start it is too tight. Find out why first.

i'll second that pin head

Assuming that you P-Gauged the bearings, checked ring end gap, etc..........
Take a set of jumper cables and hook the batt. neg too the engine block. If she spinns free at this point you need a good engine groud.
You need one anyway, but you will have found the problem.

Guess a length of chain and a bolt won't fix this one:)

Cory

Get it together....
We will be in Atticca the 24th Oct for some carnage.....

IMHO, the battery ground cable is best installed to the block. I run this way on my 327 in my FJ40. I then have a braided graound strap that runs from the block to the frame (to ground the chassis/body).
The starter is the highest current draw that is normally used (the winch will draw more, so make sure it is well grounded to the battery also).