I hung my new-from-Lycoming IO540 last weekend. I installed the prop last night. The engine comes preserved and I understand I am not to rotate the engine until the preservative oil is being drained. While installing the prop and tightening the bolts there was a few times where I had small movement - maybe ~1/2" at the edge of the starter gear - enough to hear a little air moving in a cylinder (I have desiccant plugs in which don't appear to be entirely air-tight).
At the time I assumed such little movement is not an issue, but now I'm concerned that "don't rotate the engine" might mean "no movement at all." Can someone explain why we don't want to rotate when it's preserved? And what is appropriate to do if I did a no-no.
At the time I assumed such little movement is not an issue, but now I'm concerned that "don't rotate the engine" might mean "no movement at all." Can someone explain why we don't want to rotate when it's preserved? And what is appropriate to do if I did a no-no.