Day 13, April 18, 2026:

Maybe one of the bigger milestones ....

After the snake oil elixir percolated for a few days, and it started to weep out, it was time to see if the engine would turn.

A brief moment of anxiety as the engine would not budge with just a 1/2" drive ratchet so had to resort to a breaker bar, and it was still holding ... but it broke free, so I went as slow as possible a full, few turns. Then, from underneath, with just the ratchet, I could turn the engine by hand. No odd sounds or jerky movement, but I am hoping my compression is pretty high from the tightness ...

Traveling mostly this upcoming week, but I will devote myself to cleaning up the engine bay, adjusting the valves, reinstalling the lower pan, and seeing if the starter will spin the engine. Two big tests:

1. Do I have adequate compression?
2. Do I have spark?

If so, then just the fuel system ...