first off i have a 96 dodge ram 5.9 magnum. and i just rebuilt the top end. gaskets and such. nothing special. stock heads, valves, rods, springs, lifters, rockers. retarded the valve timing 4* degrees.
lifters are hydraulic roller

now heres what im asking...
i just got done preloading/adjusting lash on the valves. tightened the rocker arms according to every manual, youtube video, etc. and in proper firing order as well. nothing really confused me except the fact that i COULDNT turn the engine over by hand after tighting the last 2 rockers..

for a first timer. is this normal or something im missing?? i actually lashed it all over again 3 times. same results. i can only turn the engine maybe 180* each way... spark plugs are out so not really any cylinder pressure.

any opinions.. answered are very appreciated. help a brother out lol

 

turn by hand you mean your actually hand or with like a ratchet

 

not sure about your problem, but how did you retard the timing? if anything you want to advance it 4º.

 

ya turning by hand with a ratchet

 

how big of ratchet?

 

big enough. pretty significant. 3/4 size of a typical breaker bar

 

check everything again... make sure everything is good then un plug the coil and hit the key and see if it turns over... i don't see why it wouldn't turn over freely

 

DO NOT CRANK IT OVER !!!!!!! If you have a valve / piston clearance issue you are going to damage something, (bend a valve at the least). Did you check valve to piston clearance with piston @ TDC? If not, I would say thats a good place to start. Why are you playing with cam timing ??......

 

From the factory service manual:
INSTALLATION
(1) Rotate the crankshaft until the “V8” mark lines
up with the TDC mark on the timing chain case
cover. This mark is located 147° ATDC from the No.1
firing position.
(2) Install the push rods in the same order as
removed.
(3) Install rocker arm and pivot assemblies in the
same order as removed. Tighten the rocker arm bolts
to 28 N·m (21 ft. lbs.) torque.
CAUTION: DO NOT rotate or crank the engine during
or immediately after rocker arm installation.
Allow the hydraulic roller tappets adequate time to
bleed down (about 5 minutes).
(4) Install cylinder head cover (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION).