Need to "prime" oil pump?
 

I just repaired a damaged ring gear in my 59A. The repaired engine is installed and ready to try and start for the first time. Before I crank on the starter, is it necessary to "prime" the oil pump, with a few rotations by hand, in order to lubricate the engine? It seems dangerous to crank on a "dry" engine.

Thank you,
Phil

Re: Need to "prime" oil pump?
 

The way I did mine, after coating all the main and rod bearings with assembly lube. I left my intake off, I pulled the oil pressure relief spring and plunger out and when I poured the break in oil in the valley, I poured some down into where the oil pressure relief valve sits. Re installed that. Then hit a couple of squirts of MMO in the cylinders through the spark plug hole, left the spark plugs out of the heads to keep as little friction on the motor. I spun it by the starter.....within 2-3 seconds at most, my mechaincal oil pressure gauge I installed at the back of the block at the sender jumped to life. I spun it for about another 5/10 seconds more to make sure it registered a good oil pressure value, which it did. Installed the intake and plugs and it was good to go!!!!

Re: Need to "prime" oil pump?
 

Pack the pump with Vaseline and then install it...

Re: Need to "prime" oil pump?
 

Petehoovie X2


YES, one very important part to my build that I completely forgot to mention.....I packed the oil pump with assembly lube before I installed it into the block....Thanks Pete for that reminder!!!!

Re: Need to "prime" oil pump?
 

Prior to the hitting the key for the first time, I also pumped about 3/4 of qt into the oil pressure boss located on the back of the block. This was recommended to me by the builder. Upon start up, I got instant oil pressure.

Re: Need to "prime" oil pump?
 

As silly as this may sound to "newbies", this is exactly what we were taught in my Automotive Machinist classes.