I have my 455 short block assembled and was wondering approximatelyhow much ttorque it should take to turn it over
Are you using a rope seal? Using the vinton seal it turns with my 24 inch bar and just really finger pressure. If I can guess maybe 5 pounds. I had my clearances at .0025 and the cylinders were nice and wet.
Depending on clearances, rings, assembly lube used will change this answer, but if it feels really 5ihht and hard to turn there might be an issue
Stock type rebuilds with 5/64 rings and a rope seal can take 45 psi to break away and start spinning. If you or whoever built the motor did not deburr the ends of all the rings , especially the oil rails this can add a bunch to what's needed to keep the motor spinning! Are the heads on , can you view the cylinders and look for scratch marks on the walls? If the pan is off you can pull one main cap at a time and note the reduction in turning effort. I would start with pulling the thrust Bearing cap off and note the change. Was the Crank you are running cut, and was the block Aline honed?
Engine assembly lube will increase drag DRAMATICLY over regular 10/30 or 10/40 oil when used on bearings for assembly. It sucks not assembling the engine yourself and having second thoughts as to why it feels tight. Without taking everything apart and starting over and checking one part at a time as its assembled, its tough to try and figure where the drag is coming from. Its all cumulative, the crank, then cam, rods, pistons with rings add the most drag in a short block. Then the valve train has its contribution.
