Editing How to prep and start a rebuilt engine (section)
Jump to:
navigation
,
search
===Prelube (pushrod V8s)=== Prelube the engine right before start up. Much is made of getting oil coming from all the pushrods, etc. but as long as the pump is pumping (you will definitely feel the drill labor when the pump is working) and you run the pump long enough to pressurize the system (plumb a temporary gauge to monitor the pressure while priming) and fill the oil filter and galleries, that's good enough- as soon as the engine starts there will be immediate oil pressure, and THAT is what's important- that the engine doesn't run w/o pressure. It's up to the builder whether to use a manual priming tool or a pressure vessel (below left) to prelube the oil system. Some engines require a pressure vessel because of how the oil pump is driven (some are driven directly off the crank or have a secondary shaft, etc.). Some examples of engines need to be primed using a pressurized primer system are the new MOPAR "Hemi", Ford Mod motors, and Chevy LSx. But most any engine can use a pressure preluber, regardless of the type of oil pump. When using a manual priming tool on a Chevy engine (example below right) there needs to be a collar at the bottom of the tool (red arrow) that completes the oil pathway that connects the passenger side to the driver side lifter oil gallery. If this collar isn't included, one side of the engine will not be pressurized and air will remain in the passages. The manual tool is spun in the normal direction of distributor rotation with a drill motor. If unsure, the direction of rotation of most common V8 engines can be looked up [http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Category:Firing_orders '''here''']. [[File:Pressure preluber.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[http://www.melling.com/Aftermarket/HighPerformance/PreLubeTank.aspx Melling pressure preluber]]][[File:Chevy oil preluber tool.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Manual Chevy prelube tool]] {{clear}} A primer tool can be made from an old distributor by grinding the teeth from the distributor gear along with removing the mechanical advance mechanism. [[File:PRIMING TOOL CHEVY 001.jpg|thumb|400px|left|Homemade Chevy oil system priming tool]] {{Clear}}
|
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Personal tools
Log in / create account
Namespaces
Page
Discussion
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
Actions
Search
Navigation
Main Page
Recent changes
Random page
Help
All articles
Start a new article
Hotrodders forum
Categories
Best articles
Body and exterior
Brakes
Cooling
Electrical
Engine
Fasteners
Frame
Garage and shop
General hotrodding
Identification and decoding
Interior
Rearend
Safety
Steering
Suspension
Tires
Tools
Transmission
Troubleshooting
Wheels
Toolbox
What links here
Related changes
Special pages
Terms of Use
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Your Privacy Choices
Manage Consent