Oil priming crate engine
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Oil priming crate engine
I'm trying to prime the oil on my crate 383 before start-up. Bought correct priming tool from Summit, removed the distrib. and am using a 1/2 inch drill. So far no oil to the lifters or anywhere that I can see. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks !
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
I always plumb a cheapy temporary mechanical oil pressure gauge by the distributor.
Next I make sure the drill is turning clockwise. Then I listen to the whirring of the drill.
It kinda bogs down when it primes the oil.
Keep drilling until you see the oil pressure come up.
Then stop, rotate the engine a 1/4 turn and then continue.
Repeat the process until you start seeing oil.
Next I make sure the drill is turning clockwise. Then I listen to the whirring of the drill.
It kinda bogs down when it primes the oil.
Keep drilling until you see the oil pressure come up.
Then stop, rotate the engine a 1/4 turn and then continue.
Repeat the process until you start seeing oil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It'll take it a bit to fill the filter and all the oil system, then bring up any pressure. I've had a couple of drills leak smoke and smell funny in the past.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
While a heavy duty, low rpm half inch drill may not spin fast enough to prime the pump, you certainly won't hurt it. A good 1/2" drill will spin fast enough to do the job without injury to the drill. Like was stated, keep turning the engine over as you prime it. Certain oil passages will be blocked depending on the crank position.
Just a thought here, Have you taken the oil pan off? Maybe they forgot to put the oil pump on. Don't say it can't happen, I've seen it done. Take out your primer and shine a light down the distributor hole. Make sure there's an oil pump drive shaft in there.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Cedar,BC
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Yea the 1/2 inch is needed for sure. A 3/8 usually will not have the power. It also takes some time to get it up to the rockers. Give it a few minutes and you should see it starting to trickle out of the rocker arms.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I'm trying to prime the oil on my crate 383 before start-up. Bought correct priming tool from Summit, removed the distrib. and am using a 1/2 inch drill. So far no oil to the lifters or anywhere that I can see. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
If there were a way to warm the oil up a little, that would help.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
If it doesnt have the sleeve to tie the 2 sides together you wont be able to get the pressure up.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
Didn't do well in math class I see. 3/8" is SMALLER than half inch.
While a heavy duty, low rpm half inch drill may not spin fast enough to prime the pump, you certainly won't hurt it. A good 1/2" drill will spin fast enough to do the job without injury to the drill. Like was stated, keep turning the engine over as you prime it. Certain oil passages will be blocked depending on the crank position.
Just a thought here, Have you taken the oil pan off? Maybe they forgot to put the oil pump on. Don't say it can't happen, I've seen it done. Take out your primer and shine a light down the distributor hole. Make sure there's an oil pump drive shaft in there.
While a heavy duty, low rpm half inch drill may not spin fast enough to prime the pump, you certainly won't hurt it. A good 1/2" drill will spin fast enough to do the job without injury to the drill. Like was stated, keep turning the engine over as you prime it. Certain oil passages will be blocked depending on the crank position.
Just a thought here, Have you taken the oil pan off? Maybe they forgot to put the oil pump on. Don't say it can't happen, I've seen it done. Take out your primer and shine a light down the distributor hole. Make sure there's an oil pump drive shaft in there.
Terry
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
Instead of trying to find the correct priming tool, if you have an old distributor laying around, just grind off the teeth on the drive gear, (you need something to hold the shaft down so it doesn't jump up and beat up your oil pump driveshaft) Then cut off the top of the shaft where the rotor goes so you can chuck it into a drill. Drop the distributor in and hook up your drill. Viole! A priming tool.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Instead of trying to find the correct priming tool, if you have an old distributor laying around, just grind off the teeth on the drive gear, (you need something to hold the shaft down so it doesn't jump up and beat up your oil pump driveshaft) Then cut off the top of the shaft where the rotor goes so you can chuck it into a drill. Drop the distributor in and hook up your drill. Viole! A priming tool.
