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Tips

START UP OIL PRESSURE

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80spit

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I am having my 1500 engine overhauled.
I would like to fix the problem of no oil pressure in the sump during start up. Anyone know a fix for this.
 
Pour the oil into the engine and let the rockers up top get lots of oil. Then remove the plugs and push the starter bottom so the engine turns the oil pump to build up the oil pressure. Watch the oil pressure gauge - this should take about 50 to 60 cranks with a good battery. Then put in the plugs and start it up. It should go fine for a long time. I start mine this way every spring when I take it out of winter storage and it now has 87,000 miles on it since I finished my restoration in 1990.

If you want to do even more, you can pull out the distributor and make a steel (or hardwood) shaft to reach down to the oil pump and drive the oil pump (in the correct direction) with a 1/2" electric power drill to build up the pressure. In my opinion, it's a bit much.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
 
As Don mentions, you can drive the oil pump using a drill, but you will have to remove the distributor drive gear to do it. It rotates counter-clockwise, and make sure you have a good grip on the drill. As the pressure comes up it will create a fair amount of torque. For this reason, I wouldn't make the tool from a dowel, as it could break.
I do all mine this way, using an adapter shaft I made from a piece of stainless steel I had lying around.
Jeff
 
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