LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Engine Priming?

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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 12:23 PM
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Default Engine Priming?

I recently had a local engine builder rebuild me an lt1 and he primed the oil pump for me. This was on October 30. Do I have to prime the oil pump again if I plan on installing it on the week of thanksgiving?
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 12:31 PM
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From: Jackstandican
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I would, with fresh oil. Not sure why your builder would have done that since it's pretty much a given to use assembly lube on a build?
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 12:43 PM
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Lots of builders prime it to check for oil flowing where it should (like up to the rockers) before they button it up.

At this point it'll be just like any other engine that's sat for a month. If you can get to the oil pump and prime it now, it won't hurt - that's for sure.
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 12:59 PM
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From: Jackstandican
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Mine didn't.
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 01:01 PM
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The problem is that the engine is sitting in the car already. Assuming he did use engine lube, could there be another way to prime it without taking off the oil pan?
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by elis94camaro
The problem is that the engine is sitting in the car already. Assuming he did use engine lube, could there be another way to prime it without taking off the oil pan?

??, you dont take off the pan to prime an engine..
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 01:08 PM
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Ok good to know, how would I prime it then?
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 01:13 PM
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unfortunately now that the engine is in the car, the only way other than taking the intake off is to crank it with the starter, but make sure to pull the fuse for the injectors and unplug the coil, but dont crank it for minutes at a time, do it in short cycles. also it would be better to pull of of the plugs to make the engine spin faster.
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 01:20 PM
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How would I do it if the intake were off?
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by elis94camaro
How would I do it if the intake were off?
with a SBC prime tool. It is a rod that connects to the oil pump and you use a drill. You need to remove the intake and oil pump drive gear and drive rod. Then use the prime rod tool & a drill. I have had one in my tool box for many years. It was around $10

or just use the starter as suggested since the motor is buttoned up & installed

you can just hook up a oil pressure gauge to confirm you have oil pressure when you do the "starter" method. Once you have oil pressure you are good
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 05:22 PM
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Why can't you pull the oil sensor out, and use a compressed air tank with oil in it to prime the engine? thats how I primed my last couple anyways. You need a special tank for this, most engine rebuilders have it though, I thought

I have a video of doing it to one of my engines if you need to see what I mean.
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by moehorsepower
but make sure to pull the fuse for the injectors and unplug the coil,
Pulling the 10A PCM fuse inside the car will cut fuel and ignition.

Originally Posted by ******
with a SBC prime tool. It is a rod that connects to the oil pump and you use a drill. You need to remove the intake and oil pump drive gear and drive rod. Then use the prime rod tool & a drill. I have had one in my tool box for many years. It was around $10
Unfortunately with a f-body and the cowl over half the engine a right angle drill is the best method.
you can just hook up a oil pressure gauge to confirm you have oil pressure when you do the "starter" method. Once you have oil pressure you are good
Oil pressure gauge will show pressure while cranking engine without it running.
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Old Nov 16, 2016 | 10:23 PM
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Why not just pull the PCM fuse and crank it over with the starter until you see pressure on the oil gauge in the dash? Especially if it was assembled with assembly lube.....I seriously doubt it's going to go anywhere in a months time.

There has been a time or two where I haven't driven my Z for a couple of months....I use the above procedure to prime the engine before lighting it off. Haven't had any trouble yet.

After putting new bearings in mine(cam, crank, & rods), assembled with assembly lube, the engine sat for a couple of months. I primed it as above and had no issues.

I did change the oil after running for about 20 minutes at idle.

Last edited by ACE1252; Nov 16, 2016 at 10:29 PM.
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Old Nov 16, 2016 | 10:30 PM
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You can also prime the motor with a piece of hose to the Oil filter mount and a funnel.
As long as the gerotor pump is lubed up it will literally fill all the oil galleys in a second even at cranking speeds, Ever had a filter fail? it will literally empty the entire sump in < 3 seconds... I had a 1.2 liter Datsun motor do it.. Was awe inspiring where it blew the oil under the hood... Thought I'd never get the mess cleaned up..
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Old Nov 17, 2016 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead
You can also prime the motor with a piece of hose to the Oil filter mount and a funnel.
As long as the gerotor pump is lubed up it will literally fill all the oil galleys in a second even at cranking speeds, Ever had a filter fail? it will literally empty the entire sump in < 3 seconds... I had a 1.2 liter Datsun motor do it.. Was awe inspiring where it blew the oil under the hood... Thought I'd never get the mess cleaned up..
LT1s don't have gerotor pumps.
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Old Nov 17, 2016 | 09:19 AM
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The engine was already primed a couple weeks ago. At that point, it is just an engine that has been sitting for a few weeks, and nobody on this planet re-primes their engine after it has been sitting except for one guy, and he happened to respond in this thread. You'll be fine to fire it up and break it in.
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Old Nov 17, 2016 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by MuhThugga
The engine was already primed a couple weeks ago. At that point, it is just an engine that has been sitting for a few weeks, and nobody on this planet re-primes their engine after it has been sitting except for one guy, and he happened to respond in this thread. You'll be fine to fire it up and break it in.
Most likely it will, however I'd rather make sure there was pressure by doing it myself especially in a new motor that I paid good money for.
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Old Nov 17, 2016 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by shbox
LT1s don't have gerotor pumps.
BFD! It's still a gear pump. Same idea, different design. But if you actually know how that changes anything then post it!
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Old Nov 17, 2016 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by elis94camaro
I recently had a local engine builder rebuild me an lt1 and he primed the oil pump for me. This was on October 30. Do I have to prime the oil pump again if I plan on installing it on the week of thanksgiving?
builder "primed the oil pump"...or primed the "engine"?

If motor is still out of the car you would need to pull the intake manifold and oil pump drive gear & shaft and use a SBC prime tool on a drill

I use this one and yes in application it says not for LT1/4...because you need to take the intake manifold off.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-3795g

if engine is in car now than as mentioned you would need to use a R hand drill. prime in clockwise direction

or just pull fuse for injectors, hook up a oil pressure gauge and crank with starter a few times until you have oil pressure

if your builder re-used the stock oil pump drive shaft...I would pull intake and replace it with a solid ARP one. The plastic collar, when old, can crack/break on re-install
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Old Nov 17, 2016 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by cardo0
BFD! It's still a gear pump. Same idea, different design. But if you actually know how that changes anything then post it!
Tell me where the oil filter mount is on an LT1 that can be filled with a funnel. Our pump will not pressurize in the manner that was suggested. pdxmotorhead's suggestion does not apply to the LT1.

Please don't start this crap again.
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