1965 conv: priming oil pump

[Rob Kranenburg]

Hi

I have had the engine on my car rebuilt, and it has been sitting for a couple months while Ive put it back in.

The last time I did major maintenance (timing chain, oil pump etc) it was a huge pain in the behind to prime the oil pump. It wasnt primed enough the first two times (or it leaked) and to prime it I had to take the entire front of the engine off. Balancer, water-pump, front cover etc.

Supposedly, this time they packed the pump with vaseline, so it should all work. But, I cant see it so Im just making sure. If this time around I need to (re-)prime the pump, is there an easier way? Id hate to get the whole thing buttoned up and then find out....

Thanks,

RK

[JIM CLC # 15000]

01-16-07
ROB, IAM surprised that no one hadnt answered this. Yes. this is the short answer to your question about, is there an easy way to prime the pump? #1. mark your roter position on the side of the distriberator. #2. Remove dist.(MAKE A MENTAL NOTE of where the roter stoped turning)(Do not turn OR allow anyone else to mess with dist.while it is out of engine)#3. Useing a BIG common screwdriver,put TIP of SD in slot that was used to turn dist. #4.Turn SD in same diretion as dist.would turn if eng. were runing. (by hand) (Works better if you can chuck it in an electric-drill)HTH
Good Luck,JIM

[Geoff Newcombe #4719]

I had an old wood boring bit that I ground the tip off of and then put it in a drill motor - worked slick for my 66 429.  When the pump picks up the oil you can feel and hear the drill motor start to labor, I then ran the drill motor for a minute or so.  

[JIM CLC # 15000]

01-16-07
Rob, Geoff has a very good idea,about using a wood spade-bit to turn the oil-pump. Geoff, Which size did you use, I would thank that 3/8 or 7/16 at most would be the biggest that could be used.
Good Luck,JIM

[Geoff Newcombe #4719]

Probably a 3/8, this was back in 86 or 87.  :-)

[RICK KOCHER]

WHAT WORKS FOR ME ON THESE ENGINES IS I TOOK THE DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT OUT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR HOUSING ON A OLD DISTIBUTOR. THEN GROUND THE UPPER END DOWN A LITTLE TO FIT IN MY DRILL AND PRIME THE PUMP WITH THE SHAFT.