new engine doesnt turn smoothly by hand?

[AWSOM50]

I bought an engine all built up and dropped it off at the garage the other week.   The guys who are putting it in tried to turn it by hand, they said it was extremely hard with the plugs in and with the plugs out it was turnable but "notchy" rather than smooth.  Does this mean it has been put together wrong?  Would the stroker crank or high lift cam have anything to do with this?

Appreciate your advice as I don't want to waste putting this in if it's a bogus engine

[AWSOM50]

update: they have now told me the "notch" only occurs once per revolution of the crank..

any advice?

[The70RT]

Whatever the case that doesn't sound good. I would take the valve covers off then turn it and when you get to the hard part check and see if any spring bottoms out. If they are adjustible it could be a minor fix

[Mick70RR]

One of the rods could be hitting the oil pump pick-up. Some pick-ups are too wide near the block and need grinding/filing for clearance.

[Rolling_Thunder]

When I built my boss's hemi it was extremely difficult to turn and rotated in a "notchy" sorty of way - it did spin freely without hitting anything...    ring to wall clearance was .003" - pretty much as tight as you want to get them...    This is what made it diffucult to turn...    for piece of mind I would do a teardown - cheap insurance at this point.