Initial start

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

I usually disconnect the coil and crank the engine for a while.

Do not do this.

Buy a priming tool as stated above or remove the gear from an old distributor and use that as your tool. The most important part of the store bought priming tool is that it has the middle bushing to complete the oil galley to the top end. Some cheap ones only have the top bushing and rod. You can only prime the bottom end without the middle bushing.

Use a 1/2" corded drill to run the tool. Battery power will not do it. And install a mechanical oil pressure gauge to check that your bearing clearances are as should be. Correct clearances should yield you well over 50 psi on a new build.

Remember the camshaft lobes have no direct oil feed. The get oiled by splash only so it is important to get those RPM's up right when you fire it. Those first 10 seconds are critical, unless you have a roller cam.

[Just call me Sean]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Do not do this.

No explanation, just don't do this? If assembled properly with lube and oil in the right places and the coil not firing so there aren't any loads placed on the bearings I don't see a problem.