new engine rebuild problem (maybe)

[Paul Thompson]

I've just finished assembling a pre 57.5 1600N and I think I "may" have a problem. Prior to attempting to start for the first time on a stand, I spun the motor with plugs out to get oil pressure and....no pressure. Zero. I engaged the starter for maybe 2 mins in total (not continuous). i would think I would have pressure by now, no? I even took the gauge off and nothing. The pump just isn't getting it's prime. Now I'm panicking that i may have forgotten a seal and need to pull the third piece. Anyone ever see this before? Should I crank some more and pray?

[John Brooks]

Pump is cavating, it needs a little oil to start the suction. I usually dip one gear in STP before putting on the cover. You can prime it by back filling from the filter inlet or just pop the cover and put some tick oil or grease on the gears in the pump.

[Paul Thompson]

Thanks John. I did put some oil in there when assembled, but maybe too much time had past. I'll pull it I suppose and see where that gets me. Thank you

[David Jones]

Like John said, remove the oil filter feed line then squirt oil in the hole while rotating the engine backwards. It should suck the oil down and after a while it will get to the pump, then put some more oil in the hole and turn the engine the right way and the oil you put in will come back out if the pump is working. No real reason it should not once it is primed unless it is just not turning.

[DonCichocki]

Paul,
I use this method that Ron LaDow told me about. I use a insecticide sprayer with a hose to the oil pressure sender stud. I have about 2 qts of oil in the sprayer and pump it all into the engine. I leave the valve covers off until I see oil dripping from the rockers, at that point I know all the galleries are full. I then put the remaining oil in thru the oil filler and fill the oil canister. When I crank it over I have almost instantaneous oil pressure.

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[Martin Benade]

That looks like a good idea. Is total failure to prime common on these engines? It's never happened to me.

[Ron LaDow]

Alan Klingen taught me another technique for when they're assembled and mounted on the dyno:
Close off all the vents with whatever is handy pull the plugs and huff 'n puff on the dipstick tube while hitting the starter. Worked the only two times they wouldn't self-prime.
Martin, I've only run into it twice, but I've had 3-4 calls from the several hundred filter-buyers. Every one got going by one of these. As David mentioned, there's not reason they shouldn't.

[John Clarke]

Hi All
Can we safely turn our engines backwards ? or does the dizzy drive gear from the crank gall up? Maybe only if the Distributor is not installed, perhaps I'm wrong.
Cheers Jay

[Chuck Allard]

With the distributor out and the fuel pump not installed, turning the engine backwards will lift the distributor drive. The drive washer may fall off into the third piece and the drive timing will probably change. With the distributor installed, all is good when rotating the engine backwards.

[Paul Thompson]

Thanks again for the tips guys! I was away for a couple of days, but I'll be back at this tomorrow. Will report back..

[Paul Thompson]

Update - i added some oil to the pressure line as suggested and it worked!! Thanks again guys!

Paul