When removing the pistons and crank when I bought the 350 sbc I couldn't turn the crank by hand. After removing everything and getting the block cleaned I installed new main bearings, cap bearings, rod bearings, and piston rings.

With no mains on the engine the crank probably turns a full rotation and a half after I stop putting force into it. Then after each main cap is installed it gets harder and harder. I read online that the clearances should be no bigger than .001 in or no smaller than .003 inch. All main clearances are right by .0025 inch and I don't want to take any more off risking the loss of oil pressure.

Right now, with all the main caps installed, the crank stops dead after I apply force to it. I'm just paranoid because this is my first engine build, and my friend said the crank should "spin like the wheel of fortune" with no pistons installed.

I installed piston #1 regardless and the thing is REALLY hard to turn. So I removed it thinking if I installed more it wouldn't want to turn at all. The piston ring clearance is good too.

I'm using engine assembly lube, none of the main caps have a punch on them, so I installed them the way they were when I removed them.

When installing the piston it moves pretty good down the bore, but once the rod caps are torqued it is pretty hard to turn the crank.

Is this normal? I have people telling me you should be able to turn the crank with all 8 pistons by hand.

Thanks in advance.