So I recently rebuilt my 242 i6 because of a broken flex plate. Figured the motor was out so might as well. But using king engine bearings. Every time I torqued a cap down to 33 ft lbs, the crank would stop turning. I set it to top dead center for the ignition timing and put the engine in hoping the starter could crank it but won't. Just hear one click but nothing turning. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you check your bearing clearances?? You can't just throw new bearings in, torque down the caps, and hope everything's going to work out. There is measuring involved. Even if you were able to get the engine to somehow crank and start, those bearings would have been toasted shortly after without clearance for oil.

 

Jesus Christ, pull the engine and try again. Use plasti-gauge to measure bearing tolerances.