Prime The Oil Pump

[Bill Lemley]

I m about ready to go back together with my engine for my TO-20 and I would like to know how to prime the oil pump.Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eric in IL]

What I did was remove the spark plugs and pulled with another tractor. Once I saw the oil pressure guage in normal range, I reinstalled the plugs, buttoned everything else up and hit the starter.

 

[Anonymous-0]

an oil pump should be packed full of vaseline
at assembly.

 

[DavidP,South Wales]

Hi Bill,
If you have used abundant amounts of oil during the rebuild this will help immensely. Normally if everything is OK you should achieve oil pressure before the engine actually starts.
If there is an oil gauge pipe on the block it may be possible for you to connect up a syringe of some sort and pump oil in to fill the galleries ready. For years we used an old air pressure grease gun. You may have 'Sellarc' greasers in your area. It was an upright cylinder
about 10 inches in dia and about 18 inches in length. 'Sellarc' liquid grease was used originally. This was replace with engine oil and pressured to about 25psi. The hose was connected to the oil pipe fitting and turned on. The rocker cover was always left off and we were able to see oil seeping from the rocker shaft etc. The device was removed, the pipe connected and the engine started immediately. We knew that we had instant oil pressure. Any drop from that meant that we had a problem. Fortunately we never did.
DavidP

 

[Anonymous-0]

What Ron said.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You know fell0ws I,m kinda dense to this stuff but what is wrong with removing the coil wire ,cranking the engine for say 30 seconds, you should have oil preasure then fire it off.
I have built several and never had a problem just starting the thing, if the pump was spun in some new oil before instlation..should,n be any problem

 

[Bill Lemley]

thanks to all for the information.

 

[Anonymous-0]

99% of the time, your way'll work. But there's that 1% when the oil drains as the pump is being installed other unseen gremlin and the pump won't develop suction. By packing the pump with vaseline, you are assured suction as the jelly won't leak out, and just dissolves into the oil afterward.
Had it happen to me on doing a straight six. Put an old screwdrive shaft into a 1/2" drill and spun the oil pump to a fare-thee-well. Never did develop suction. Had to pull the pan all over again.
Esier to just pack the pump.