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I've seen alot of great info on priming a rebuilt engine before initial start up, but didn't see any mention of where anyone got the tool. Can that be found locally like NAPA or another chain, or do you have to get it from a catalog? Thanks!
I've seen alot of great info on priming a rebuilt engine before initial start up, but didn't see any mention of where anyone got the tool. Can that be found locally like NAPA or another chain, or do you have to get it from a catalog? Thanks!
Steve
Made a couple using an old distributor. Cut off the gear, but leave the oil pump engagement portion on the bottom of the gear/shaft, then remove the top shaft cam (and the entire advance mech.), so you can lock it in a large drill chuck. I turned down the shaft at the top so I could hook up a 3/8" drill chuck, but a 1/2" chuck will work fine (and a large 1/2" drill is a better match RPM and power wise).
Other option is to purchase one from Summit or Jegs.
Thanks for the advise. Ill try Napa 1st and then the others.
Steve
I have looked locally in the past the only one that the local shops have are just the priming rod. That will prime the pump but not the upper drive train.
The one you want is the one like Plasticman posted with the block off so that the oil will be forced up to the pushrods.
I got an old distributor from a junkyard for a buck. They had 'em stacked like cordwood. Ground off the gear teeth on my bench grinder and knocked off the advance mechanism. 1/2" drill works fine to drive it. A 3/8" drill is too weak and will overheat.
As mentioned by John and Carl above, it is tooooooooooooooooo easy to make one from an old dist.
Old point type distributors with an alum housing (an old HEI can also be used) can usually be picked up from a salvage yard or swap meet between Free and $10 (last year I picked up 3 for $5). Rather than cut off the gear portion of the drive gear, I grind off all the teeth so that I keep the whole fitting. If you don't have access to a lathe to turn down the upper part of the shaft to 3/8in, it is quite easy to use a bench grinder and rotate the shaft and "eyeball" the end down to 3/8in. Using an old dist to make a priming tool, in my opinion, is much better than buying one from the parts store because the upper portion of the housing can be used to hold onto while turning the drill.
By the way, does anyone have a junk dist from a 348?
Thanks for all the replys to my post. You guys are fast. I totally agree about the junk yard route, but I've never used one here where I live in Florida, so I'd have to find one, get the right distributor, and work on it. That seemed to be equal to the $32 to buy one. NAPA only stocked a kit with three primers for $42, Advanced Auto could order the Chevy tool for $32 in 1 or 2 days, but Auto Zone will loan you one for $25. You keep it as long as you like, and when you bring it back, they give you the $25 back. If you don't bring it back, you own it. They will also order you one for $25, but they only get deliveries once a week on those items. I think I'll go there, take a look at it, and if it's OK I'll take it. Thanks again.