Cool, let us know how it goes! Hey, mistakes are how we learn. Don't do what I did on my first engine build and attempt to break in a cam with no coolant in the radiator
Man, that is wierd that it only became a problem after the pan was on...if it were me I would drain the oil out leave the drain plug off and try to kck it over. Sounds like there is some sort of resistance created by the crankcase. But then agai. The two might not be related
It knocks when you turn it over with the starter? If it spins normally when the plugs are out, and cranks slowly when the plugs are in it, that is simply compression-related. A scratch on the crank won't make a **** bit of difference with the plugs in or out. Do you have the starter bolted on tight to the block, good battery and good cables? It takes a lot more current to crank an engine that is compressing air than one that isn't, so any weakness in the cranking system, including small diameter battery cables, will make a big difference. You're not just turning it over by connecting to the battery with jumper cables, are you?
Did you reinstall the rod bearings in the exact same same you removed them?? Plus, stuff like that should always be miked.
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