Hello and thanks for the help in advance. I recently showed interest in a neighbor's 87 F250 that wont start but just makes a fairly loud clunk(starter engages). I was hoping it would be something as simple as starter or battery. I replaced both as well as battery cable clamps which were corroded and solenoid. I also had a friend try popping the clutch(4 speed manual transmission) while I pulled it in another truck. No luck. I am starting to think it my be a blown or seized engine even though oil level is good. Please help me with further troubleshooting. I have to make the first payment to him by Friday if I'm buying the truck. It has around 150,000 miles, 4x4, and has the 5.8 liter gas motor.

I also removed the alternator belt because I read in a forum a seized alternator would cause this same "clunk" noise with no start.

Have you tried turning it over with a socket on the crank?

I know this is really armature but I cant seem to find where attach a socket to turn it over by hand.

josephed3506 said:

I know this is really armature but I cant seem to find where attach a socket to turn it over by hand.

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Should be a bolt in the center of the crank pulley.

Please dumb it up for me a little... Which one would that be?

josephed3506 said:

Please dumb it up for me a little... Which one would that be?

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Lowest pulley at the front of the engine.

There should be a big center bolt,aside from small outer ones.
If theres not one there,then maybe thats why you have the noise..

Ok I see it now.. Wow that's deep and looks like a pain to get to. I had to take a picture with my phone to see it. Any idea what size it is?

josephed3506 said:

Ok I see it now.. Wow that's deep and looks like a pain to get to. I had to take a picture with my phone to see it. Any idea what size it is?

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Deep socket and extension...with a breaker bar and a snipe...I'm not sure offhand of the size....guessing 7/8 to 1-1/4.

How hard should it be to spin the pulley? I'm pretty sure I just spun the bolt but the pulley didn't budge

josephed3506 said:

How hard should it be to spin the pulley? I'm pretty sure I just spun the bolt but the pulley didn't budge

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Bolt shouldn't spin unless you are going the wrong way....it should be a good grunt to move it

Standard or reverse thread?

josephed3506 said:

Standard or reverse thread?

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Standard....facing the engine clockwise

The pulley wont budge a bit even with a breaker bar and a 18" cheater bar.

It's in neutral?....could also be something amiss in the clutch.

Yes it is in neutral.

What happened when you pulled it and dumped the clutch?

Nothing. Tires just slid.

Doesn't sound very promising.