How important is priming the oil pump?
 

Because my BBC is installed so far back, It would be impossible to remove the dizzy completely and prime the oil pump. I assembled the motor over a year ago with a high grade assembly lube on everything. Could I not just splash some oil on top of the heads, and crank the motor w/o ignition to allow the oil pump to do the work on its own before firing it? I'd really rather not have to pull the motor - but I will if I need to.

Thanks

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

That's the whole purpose of assembly lube is to provide lubrication on initial startup. I personally wouldn't worry about it. I've rebuilt several engines and have never primed the oil pump. All you are really doing by priming the oil pump is shooting some oil up to the rocker arms. The crank and rod bearings shuld have assy. lube on them anyway. As with cam bearings, lobes, and cylinder walls. The only pumps that actually need to be primed are external dry sump and you pack those with petroleum jelly to prime them.

I would just double check your intial timing, prime the carb. and fire it up.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

I think that would be sufficient.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

If you can not remove the distributor and use a oil pump priming tool and a drill then fill the oil filter and oil pan, remove the spark plugs, and spin the engine over until you get oil pressure.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

Good, thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

How does one check initial timing without the motor running? Im still hoping and praying that I stabbed the dizzy in the right location.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

i dont see why you cant pull the dist. ?

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

Because I installed the motor as far back as possible for weight transfer and the lip of the firewall is above the distributor.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

Remove the cap & rotor.....you should be able to pull the dist.;)

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

Chances are that you did not "stab" the dizzy in the correct location to begin with unless you were EXTREMELY careful, were at true TDC on #1, had the dizzy body correctly positioned and had the rotor positioned on #1 (after it rotates 15 degrees when the gear engages the cam). Good Luck.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

I have an old fire extinguisher I put a tire valve in the side & a hose on the outlet. I fill it with oil & pressurise it. I hook the hose into the opening for the oil sender unit & squeeze the handle putting pressure to the oil gallery.
I think you can get by with filling the filter up with oil & cranking the engine with the plugs out or ign disconnected.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

If you can't prime the oil pump, I'd take out the plugs and take off the coil wire and and free spin a little with the starter before actually cranking it. It would allow the oiling system to prime without having any of the stress of compression.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

IMHO, I wouldn't fire anything that's been sitting without pre-oiling. I agree that if all you can do is pull the plugs and turn it over, I would STILL do that vs. nothing at all.

Easy check on the distributor - if you're at TDC compression #1 the rotor should be pointing directly at the #1 spark plug tower :) You're generally looking for around 12 BTDC for initial startup.

Re: How important is priming the oil pump?
 

had a cam go flat on me with my first big block chevy bout 5 years ago, probably cause the engine spun over too much before it started.:dum: if space is tight how about using a right angle air drill with an oil pump primer