ways to prime oil pump?

[weedoublewide]

So I made an oppsie, I didn't prime the oil pump before I installed the engine into the truck. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal but my dingo engine mounts are in the way to pull the oil plug and there's no real good way to reach the plug without pulling everything back out, #headache lol.

So I'm reaching out to the experienced community on different ways/best practices for initial startup of the engine.

I was thinking about pouring a quart into each valve head cover and letting the oil drain back down over the course of a day or so.

Any other thoughts or recommendations?

Best regards,

double

[Gregski]

was your engine bone dry as in rebuilt, or just a typical once running donor? did you replace the original oil pump with a brand new dry one?

if it's a dime a dozen donor engine that once ran, than I would pour the oil into each cylinder head like you said, plus remove all the spark plugs, squirt some oil into each spark plug hole, than rotate the engine by hand than squirt a little bit more into each plug hole, and repeat that two more times, than let it sit over night or two

then send it!

[weedoublewide]

I like that.

It's bone dry, it was a complete rebuild with a brand new oil pump in it.
This is my first time starting a brand new motor like this so I wanted to make sure I didn't leave any stone unturned.

Then that's what ill do,
Thank you!


double

[truckdude239]

Theres no good way to prime these motors unless you got one of the pressurize oil preoiler you pull a plug or oil sensor and it pressure feeds oil though the whole motor

[LeesTruk]

Pouring oil into the head cavities isn't gonna accomplish much, other than put oil in the oil pan. A true engine prime puts oil, under pressure, into all the oil passages, fills the filter, puts oil into the lifters, and gives oil to all the bearing surfaces. A simple way to prime an LS is with an inexpensive weed spray bottle(about $10 at Lowes/Home Depot/Hardware store), a 5/16" barbed hose nipple, and a oil bypass plate you can get on eBay. Just remove the existing bypass plate(2 screws) that's above the oil filter, put on the eBay plate and nipple, attach a simple 5/16"ID hose to sprayer and nipple, add about 4 qts. of your favorite oil to the sprayer, and commence pumping. You can pull a valve cover and look for oil to come onto the rockers. When that happens, rotate the engine about 1/2 turn and pump some more. When you see oil again, you'll know the whole engine has been primed. Take off your homemade oiler, recap the bypass, and your done. Just check your oil level on the stick, and top off as necessary. In my case, I just left the plate in place, removed the nipple, and installed a plug. If you do that, though, make sure the plug doesn't intrude into the oil passage. That passage is critical in oil distribution

[weedoublewide]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

Theres no good way to prime these motors unless you got one of the pressurize oil preoiler you pull a plug or oil sensor and it pressure feeds oil though the whole motor

I feel ya, but I think lee has a very good idea

[truckdude239]

Originally Posted by weedoublewide

I feel ya, but I think lee has a very good idea

i mean its baslicy same thing it is using presssure to push oil into the system so that set up would work good.

[bigmoe]

I plan on doing this when I'm ready to start mine. Is there a way to do it without pulling the valve covers?

[LeesTruk]

You don't "HAVE TO" pull a cover, but it does allow you to see that oil is travelling its' designated path. After you've pumped a couple of qts. of oil into the engine and rotated it a time or two and pumped a couple more qts., it would be safe to say the engine is primed. When it gets tough to push the pump handle down, it's telling you that the oil pressure is building up in the engine, as long as the oil level in the bottle is diminishing.

[weedoublewide]

This is absolute gold Lee, pure gold. More gold than cash for gold

[corndoggydogg]

Related question. I am replacing my oil pan seal and rear main seal. Just dropped the pan and removed the oil pump to inspect condition. Since it’s already out, I’m thinking of replacing it for good measure. 1) any thoughts on replacement? And 2) since I have an existing running engine, do I need to prime the pump? 1972 gmc 1500 with 350 sbc. Thanks.
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[FAKKY]

*shrug* - unless you have a reason to Id say dont worry about it.
BUt use new o-rings/seals etc.

Then again -- ifs its original ........ why not.