Does this mean I have a problem?

[Anonymous]

I installed the head on the crossflow today. My machine shop guy told me when I get to this point, I should fill the engine with oil and turn the crank the engine to check that the oil pump is pushing oil.

Well I just cranked the engine over for a little while with the valve cover off and there is no oil flowing right now. The new oil filter is even still dry.

Just how big of a deal is this and any suggestions on what to do next?

 

[Stubby]

What we used to do was, set the motor to TDC so you can retime it. Then pull the dizzy and use a socket on an extension to spin the oil pump, (with a drill, in the direction of dizzy rotation), untill it has oil at the rockers. You can also get an idea of how much oil pressure it has. This can also be done with a speed handle, but you will get tired while turning it. MAKE SURE NOT TO DROP SOCKET INTO ENGINE!!!

If it is an odball engine that you can't prime the pump on, we had an air tank that we would put the oil in (all five quarts if that is what it holds) charge with about fourty lbs of air and hook the hose to the oil pressure port (wherever the pressure guage hooks up) invert tank and open the valve. This will flood the oil system ensuring against a dry start. This one doesn't gaurantee it will pump oil, it just primes the pump and lubricates everything.

 

[addo]

What might be good right now is to buy and fit a cheap mechanical oil pressure gauge. I'd kill the motor and investigate any time pressure dropped below about 20PSI during break-in.

For this situation to come about initially, gives me some concern. Was assembly lube used on the lifters, cam lobes, pushrod ends and rocker tips? A little cranking won't hurt, but if it's been churning for ages then re-lubing all this would be prudent.

Is the oil pump pickup securely fitted to the pump, and was the pump packed with moly grease or any oil poured into it? Was the correct quantity of oil added?

 

[Anonymous]

thanks, I just did exactly what you said with the drill. All the rockers now have oil.

 

[Stubby]

Now you know it will pump oil with the drill. You still need to watch the oil pressure closely when you crank it. I have seen people get a false sence of security and not give the oil guage the attention it deserves while breaking in the cam.