Who has successfully primed their engine using the starter method?
Who has successfully primed their engine using the starter method? Just wondering because I'm having a hell of a time priming my block using the starter and battery. I've cranked it a few times and still have not been able to get any pressure to my mechanical oil gauge. I've cranked it for 10 seconds straight paused for thirty and over again, for about 6 times now. I've read where some people just put it back in the car and crank it (turn it on) and it gets pressure. I was hoping to see oil pressure before it goes in car. Please help, I made sure that the o-ring on the pick up tube was not pitched, what am I doing wrong?? HELP...LOL 
So what am I doing wrong guys, I'm frustrated cuz I dont want to break anything. How long did it take for all of you to prime it?? Camaro 83 I think I've done about 15 secs also and still no pressure. I thought I put the o-ring right? If the o-ring was pinched what would happen then? I tripple checked the o ring before I installed everything what gives?? I'm using cables connected to my truck so I know the battery is good. Should I poor another court of oil (7) to see if it will prime?
It's so frustrating thinking I will have to take it off the K member and disassemble the the block!! Someone else told me that the starter only cranks 150 rpm and it's not enough, but if ou guys did it I must be doing something wrong...
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Here are a couple things that will help. Put a bunch more oil in the engine...this gets the oil closer to the pump to ease the prime. I also have had luck with spinning it for 5 sec. Wait 10 minutes and repeat. Make sure you do not have the injectors squirting fuel on your new cylinder walls and having the plugs out as was said. You will get 40psi easy from the starter. Do not forget to let the extra oil out of the pan.
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Verdad Gallardo Here are a couple things that will help. Put a bunch more oil in the engine...this gets the oil closer to the pump to ease the prime. I also have had luck with spinning it for 5 sec. Wait 10 minutes and repeat. Make sure you do not have the injectors squirting fuel on your new cylinder walls and having the plugs out as was said. You will get 40psi easy from the starter. Do not forget to let the extra oil out of the pan.
Good news guys the addition of oil helped out in priming the engine. I cranked the starter and within 5 seconds I got 42 psi of oil. Woo hoo, thanks to everyone again.
Yea bro just put alot of oil in the block (10 qts). What I did, since the engine was already on the K-member I tilted the block foward so the oil could get to the oil pump. I placed a mechanical gauge in the back of the intake (oil sending) port and it worked perfect.
When i put the engine in the car after newly assemble with the correct lubricant, there's no need to prime it, just start it up, if your trannie is auto be sure it's filled up first, and all fluids are at the correct level, i take my engine apart after 1100 hp blasting s and the bearings look like they haven't yet found the crank, in fact this may sound crazy but i re use my rod and main bearings all the time....Boost....
Pull the plugs and the fuel pump relay. Remove the valve covers and poor oil all over the valve train. Make sure the oil filter is full. Fill the oil pan about 1/2 a quart over.
Turn the ignition over for 10 sec intervals. Repeat until you see the pressure.
Turn the ignition over for 10 sec intervals. Repeat until you see the pressure.
I might be missing something but i thought the whole point of priming your engine before it is installed is to get oil primed every where before the motor starts turning in the bearings????
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 54
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When an engine is running the oil pressure keeps the bearings from contacting the steel surfaces of crankshaft. When an engine is assembled oil is put on the bearing surfaces which gives lubrication for a little while. Combustion puts pressure on the bearing surfaces and without oil pressure you are asking to get metal to metal contact. Everytime you start an engine there is a moment without oil pressure but to make this last any longer than necessary is not good. This is why I like synthetic oils cause they stick to the metal longer than regular oil...good for engines that are not started frequently.
Remove the spark plugs first. This will allow the engine to crank very quickly and keep the load low on the battery, starter, and reciprocating assembly. While cranking, floor the gas pedal. This will help the engine crank quicker and usually shuts off the injectors on many engines. You will have to pull a fuse or relay for the ignition coil(s). Leaving the plug wires just dangling with the current no place to go may damage the ignition.
