350 Chevy oil pump prime

Before you start up your rebuilt engine it is a requirement to first prim the oil pump

[bradman]

I like to prime the system with the valve covers off so I can ensure oil has made it to each rocker arm.

[hydroy]

Something to add, after your oil gauge shows solid pressure for a min or so, with all the spark plugs out bump the starter over a few times with the drill driving the oil pump at the same time to get oil all though all the oil galleys & rocker arms as the rotating assembly needs to be rotated a few times to make sure all hard parts are fully coated with oil out of the oil pump. Doesn't take much.

[Myvintageiron]

You don't need to worry about that as long as you have good oil psi for 2 min and some of the push rods seep som oil it's fine the liftere are not going to push allot of oil through without the lifters moveing it also depend on what type of priming tool you use

[gabrielcuevas]

I think I found the answer to my own question... I was using the wrong priming tool. The oil that goes to the rocker arms on the right side of the engine it's supposed to go thru the tool. anyway thank you very much for your videos.

[journeyquest]

I prefer to do this with the valve covers off so i can see all the rockers getting oil. Also to check valve clearance when i first fire up the engine.

[Myvintageiron]

I have heard of that before however who ever told you that is wrong and here is why most of the assembly lube on the cam will not be pushed off the cam I have tested this by removing a pre lubed cam after priming and 90% od the assembly lube was still there also if you don't prime a new engine you will have a delay in oil psi all the oil galleys are full of air I have never seen a primed engine have any kind of oil related failure I've seen dozens of un primed engines fail

[woof]

gotta make sure you block the drain block hole with the tool in the dist hole with the tool or the pass side wont get as much if any

[Myvintageiron]

Go ahead and prime the engine the lifters will not pump up if they are not roatating

[Myvintageiron]

I use Joe Gibbs break in oil you can buy it on line comp cams also has an addative you can add to over the counter low zinc oil. as far as break in goes for a flat tappet can do not let the engine idel 1500 rpm min 2000 is where I like to see it for at least 15 minutes be sure to prime the pump first I have a vid on it, change the oil and filter right after cam break in but be sure to use break in oil and a new filter no more than 500 miles on break in oil then use high zinc race oil permanetly

[kevincrowley]

Is there a LOT of resistance on the drill handle when you run the pump? I just primed my engine for the first time (ever) and I was surprised at how much resistance there was on the drill. With no oil in the pump it turns relatively freely, but now I have break-in-oil in the sump it seems to take a lot more effort to turn the pump.

[kevinsdiytips]

great video (here and on the distributor install) I really needed quick instructions how to do these and yours did it!, thanks. I just found out that autozone has the oil primer tool as a I don't have to make one

[loosewire]

Did you have to turn the crank by hand before you got oil coming out of all lifters? And what kind of oil pressure gauge did you use and at what happen if the psi gets too high im gonna do that on my 383 stroker and i wanna get all the information i need before i screw something up thanks

[gabrielcuevas]

Hi do you know why I only getting oil on one side of the engine (left) when I prime the oil pump.

[thewholls]

I would have thought you’d have to turn the crank as well to align the oil gallery holes...

[dalejr]

i just bought a new maller cam and we are doin a complete overhaul on my 350 out of my 72 chevy and it is a flat tappet cam and im reusing my old oil pump do i need to prime it

[TheHypnotstCollector]

I use an old distributor with the gear teeth ground off. But my problem is ODD; A mud dauber wasp made its way into an oil gallery and I can't find the clog!!

[Myvintageiron]

Not all TBI engines have a roller cam they came with both typs of cams

[asandberg]

I realize this is a 6 month old post, but if your engine is an original TBI block, you will have a roller cam, therefore no break-in required.

[allentyler]

Hey i am doing a quick fix in a Chevy 350, 1 single connection rod bearing. The engine is still in the truck with oil pan out. Will i need to prime the oil pump for this application? Thanks guys.

[drackett]

Sounds good man, I'll definitely prime the engine first.

Unrelated, but i'm reusing a stamped steel oil pan (1968 327) and it looks like someone over torqued it and now the bolt holes are indented. Do you think this could cause a leak? any tips on how to straighten out the flange?

I'm using a felpro 1 piece pan gasket

Thanks again, your vids are helpful.