Oil Priming the Engine

[Walter74]

Good afternoon,

I am about to start up my rebuilt engine (BJ7) for the first time. I have oiled all parts before installation, but this installation has been done couple of months ago.
I would like to prime the oil through the whole engine before starting up. Do you guys know a good way to do this without turning the engine? I was thinking to pump oil through the hole for the oil pressure gauge or from the top through the rocker arm nipple with a hand pump.

Looking forward to your comments.

kind regards,

Walter

 

[Michael Oritt]

Walter--

I have used the first method--detaching the flex hose as it comes out of the block and feeding in oil with a squirt-type oil can--without issue. However the engine had not been out of service for a long time and I was doing it almost as an exercise because I really had no reason to believe that the oil pump had lost prime. I'm sure you will get a number of responses but I think the most important issue is that the OP be primed reliable. Some people go so far as to pack it with vasoline.

 

[Healey Nut]

Pull the plugs out , dissconnect the coil and spin the engine on the starter until you get oil pressure and or remove the valve cover till you see oil at the rockers .

 

[Michael Oritt]

"Pull the plugs out , dissconnect the coil and spin the engine on the starter until you get oil pressure and or remove the valve cover till you see oil at the rockers ."
-----------------------
...none of which will matter if the oil pump is not pumping. This is a fresh engine and the OP is not primed.

 

[Healey Nut]

If the engine was assembled correctly with all parts pre lubed with assembly lube then the oil pump will prime right away and you should get oil pressure and oil at the rockers within a few seconds , you can also disconnect the fuel pump so your not feeding fuel into the cylinders .

 

[Walter74]

Thanks for your replies. I think I will just prime the engine before starting it. It probably will not hurt.

 

[bob hughes]

I used a rebuild lubricant on reassembling mine then as Michael said spin the engine without the sparks, you should have something on the bearings etc. even after a few months. Having said that, I have been rebuilding the rear of the car for one and a half years on and off, so when I started it I ran it with plugs out etc, after all, 1.5 years is a long time in my book.



Bob

 

[Michael Oritt]

Bob--

Actually I did not suggest anything beyond agreeing that priming the oil pump was a good idea, but as strings do around here they take some circuitous routes.

 

[Healey Nut]

Bringing this back to life .
Finally got my new gear reduction starter and final wiring done on the Tri Carb project .
oil cooler etc with new lines all installed but empty of oil , engine has not been run since rebuild .
primed new spin on oil filter by filling with oil repeatedly until it stayed full , that took about 45mins for it to all fully soak .
Quickly flipped the oil filter into place and tightened securely .
spun the engine using solenoid button (no ignition or fuel pump) rocker cover and plugs all removed
Within 20 secs of spinning I had oil at all the rockers and 40lbs oil pressure .