Car non-start issue

[wagonboy]

Got a break from the rain today so decided to take the cover off the car, disconnect the battery tender and warm up the old girl...
After letting the fuel pump run for a min then cranking for about 15 secs I stopped and waited another min. Starting again and it attempted to fire followed by a fairly loud backfire. Cranking again and it fired up on a few cylinders then a dull clunk and everything stopped. Attempting to start again and I only got a short "chug" sound from the starter motor without the crank turning over. It almost seems like the crank or something within is preventing the engine from turning over.
Any ideas on what I might try to look for first?
70E - 2.7L motor with MFI. Checked the electrical fuses, everything seems to look okay. Lights and fuel pump operating.
Much appreciated.

[edmayo]

Put wrench on the crank pulley and see if you can manually rotate the engine a full revolution.

[wagonboy]

Yeh, my gut feeling is that it's something mechanical, not electrical. I was actually thinking about that bit ran out of time and light tonight. will pull the plugs and try tomorrow.

[MTemp]

Flat(ish) battery? Charge it up and see if that helps - after turning it over as Ed suggests.

Mick

[uai]

Could be a stuck valve if you're not lucky.
I agree manually rotating the engine two full revolutions. (carefully)
Cheers

Uli

[bliebler]

Pull out the starter, maybe the ring gear broke off some teeth. after pulling out the starter you may see it, if not have someone rotate the engine via pulley.

[EARLY911ZOO]

take your pulley wrench and go counterclock wise a half revolution or more and proceed with starting the car. vapor lock I think its called... happened to me a few times.

oh and dont leave the wrench attached to the pulley!!!

[wagonboy]

Well I pulled the plugs but the crank is still stuck (fan belt just spins on the pulley. My worst fears are beginning to be realized - maybe a broken crank or other mechanical malady which occurred when there was a serious backfire while trying to start her up.
Crap. Too far away from CA to have the builder took at it.

[Bullethead]

Your description sounded more like hydro lock... but broken cranks also result from galling by oil starvation.

Curious about what you find Marc, hope it's not the worst. Good luck.

[wagonboy]

Your description sounded more like hydro lock... but broken cranks also result from galling by oil starvation.

Curious about what you find Marc, hope it's not the worst. Good luck.

I was hoping you were right about the hydro lock but the crank is seriously stuck and I'm running out of ideas. I doubt that oil starvation had anything to do with whatever the ailment is because I always had good pressure. Besides, I didn't even get the engine running when this occurred.
I've had a devil of a time getting it started ever since I got the car last spring. Once warmed up, she ran and started great. Cold starts always required copious amounts of cranking and stabs on the throttle.
Marc