D8 8R engine trouble

Sounds like you have an obstruction or object in one of the cylinders.....could be a whole list of candidates.....rust, nests, piece of hardware, etc.
Not a good idea to force it but soaking with diesel or other solvent/penetrants might help if it's something that can be softened up.

I'd check the flywheel housing and clutch area for obstructions. A lot of people on the tractor forums have often reported back with objects jamming the flywheel or clutch, when they started out with problems with an engine that would only turn a certain amount, and then lock up.

OM I wont force it and probably start by taking a head off this weekend to see whats in the cylinders, as that was my thought.

OzDozer, I forgot to mention I have the clutch freed up and doesnt appear to be binding on anything, but I will check it this weekend and make sure before I get too far into the engine.

Thanks for the replies and will report on what I find. Thanks, Jeremy

jeremy,
does this tractor have a front cable control unit? if so have you checked it
out? i also have an 8R, its not home yet. after i bought the thing i was
working on a few things making it ready for a road trip home. i started the
pony and had everything in gear warming up to start the main engine when
suddenly bang and the main stopped turning over. i killed the pony and
started looking around. underneath the tractor laid what looked like a starter
bendix. looked down from the top and sure enough, it puked the drive gear
assembly straight through the nose cone. great, how am i going to get this
beast home now! i gathered up the pieces, robbed some bendix parts from
the 3T sitting beside the 8 and brought them home. welded up the four
piece nose cone making it one piece again and everything worked. the nut
on the end of the shaft that holds the bendix secure came off. this nut you
may want to make sure is there and secure. i got lucky as the threads on the
shaft were still good, just needed a nut. you only need to worry about this
after you get your main engine to turn. hope its nothing serious, these old
8's are a great tractor in my opinion. kind of get teary eyed thinking about
them!

I found the trouble in the engine today. The #4 exhaust valve leaked water into the engine and formed a rust line down the side of the cylinder. But the good new is that I can turn the tractor over now and going to try to start it next weekend if all goes well. Thanks For the help fellas. Jeremy