94BlueZ28

iTrader: (34)

I just did a rebuild and I almost have the whole motor put back together. I read this somewhere, to make sure to prime the engine oiling system....What the hell does this mean???? Is there a way to check the oil pressure with out actually starting the car? I know the machinist said to make sure I had pressure before firing the new 355 LT1 motor! In my eyes you wouldn't have pressure with out a running motor. Would this be a quick strt just to see if the pressure is there and then quickly turn it off or what? Any inputs would be great! Thanks

Jose93z28

iTrader: (3)

Before you get the Intake on, you need to remove the coupler that runs that connects the cam to the oil pump shaft, and you need to either buy or fabricate a tool to spin your oil pump with a drill, that way you make sure the engine is primed with oil before you start it for the first time, it would look something like this .[IMG][/IMG]

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

What your machinist likely meant was once actually ready to start it disconnect spark and fuel for a moment and crank it with the starter till you see pressure then give it spark and fuel and start it. If everything is in order it should build pressure fairly quickly and not do any starter damage.

FASTFATBOY

iTrader: (23)

I would not prime an LT1, here is the reason why. You put assembly lube on the bearings and cam, lifters to protect it on startup until it builds oil pressure right?

When you prime it you push all the lube out of where you put it. Then take up to a day(minimum) to get the engine in the car and ready to start.

If you had a conventional engine where you put it in the car, button it up. Prime it, drop the distributor immediately after you prime it and fire it up I would say yes.

I dont prime mine and never have. Just my opinion.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

Reasonable argument.
Really I don't think it is a huge deal either way.

SLawson86

iTrader: (8)

i am with fastfatboy, i would not personally prime the motor. if you coated everything really well with assembly lube, you shouldnt have a prob. i would spin the motor to build psi before i started it up though.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

Respectfully I disagree here. I want to hook up a oil pressure guage and visually see that oil pressure and even more-so the acceptable amount of oil pressure is created before the motor goes in the car.

94BlueZ28

iTrader: (34)

The machinist put the entire shortblock back together for me and I can see down in the lifter holes and I diffently see assembly lube all over the cam. It's damn near a purplish red color. He never stated anything about priming the engine at all, I just read that online so I thought I would ask. Like I stated he did mention to check for oil pressure. I was thinking about disconnecting my coil wire so I have no spark at all and then it will at least turn over. Will this be sufficient enough to read on my gauge though????? Just don't wnat to trsh a brand new rebuild is all, I'm sure you can all respect that with the amount of money it cost to do these builds! Damn near $3000 just in parts and machining.

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

if you're going to do the cranking method to build pressure, pull your fuel pump fuse as well as the coil wire.

94BlueZ28

iTrader: (34)

So who recommends just cranking that **** over and letting her go and watch the pressure from there?????

My95Z

iTrader: (8)

Just pull the pcm fues and crank it to make sure its getting pressure b/f you really fire it up.

Good luck and enjoy your new engine!

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

i say build pressure first by cranking, that way at least you know you're going to have pressure right away.

bombebomb

I primed mine, what happens when you put that in there only to find out you have no oil pressure on start up?

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I primed mine because the motor was out and I had the tool. Couldn't hurt.

za355tx

iTrader: (108)

Same here. No issues.

shbox

I like priming it. Assembly lube is fine, but is there something suddenly wrong with oil? Your engine runs with it all the time normally.