Priming the oil pump

Has any one primed their oil pump with vasaline ? I have a 70 Dauntless 225ci and ran the motor at idle for about 20 seconds with the valve covers off and got no oil topside. How long does it normally take for the oil to flow? Thanks

 

Yep we all do the pump packing with vaseline. The 225 is noted for not much oil on the top side. Did you have the pump apart?

 

yes use Vaseline , pack gear housing . or you'll never get oil to pump .

 

Got to be careful, like Walt asked, did you have the pump apart?

 

yes...pump was off. Ran it for 20-30 seconds with valve covers off.

 

I went through this recently, with the rocker arms off and a new pump on a rebuilt motor I shot oil several feet across the garage. With the rocker arm on I only got the slightest trickle around the rockers on one side. You can also pull the filter and see if it burps out the filter housing, put something under it to catch the oil, it will burp a lot of oil with no filter.
Jon

 

Thanks Jon, sounds like the easiest way to tell if she's primed. I will let u know.

 

I've been thinking about this very thing. I have a '67 I'm putting back together that I took down to the frame but left the engine alone. I know it ran but its been sitting for a while and I was wondering if I cranked it several times before I start it if that would be enough to get oil circulating. I did not take the oil pump off nor do anything other than pull the pan and check the bottom end visually. Do you guys think I'll be OK to do what I suggested? Do I need to remove a cover to see if I have circulation before I actually fire it up?

Tom

 

I don't know for sure. I had mine apart and packed it as suggested and could'nt see it pumping with the covers off. I ran it some more and sure enough it is trickling. I also have an oil pressure gauge and that also showed it working. Never had the pan off though.

 

Is there an offset slot on the pump shaft like a L134? Did you just make a smple tool to prime the pump through the distributor hole?

 

Question, I'm going to change the oil and filter and if I drop the oil pan do I have to re-prime the oil pump? I don't think so but want to make sure.

 

Just like a typical oil change (no priming of pump), just don't crank the engine over without oil in the pan (which should be a no brainer).

 

Thanks!