oil pre prime question

[Monte K.]

Hello all!
I have just rebuilt the top end of my 63 327 fuelie.
I am currently doing the oil pre prime step. I am getting good oil pressure reading (just under 60psi) and running the pump up to 30 minutes at a time. Rotating the engine 1/4 turn every few minutes or so. I am getting oil to all rockers except #1 (both rockers) and #2 (exhaust rocker).
I did moly lube both ends of the push rods as well as the rocker to spring tips. I did not replace the lifters as they were in excellent condition. I'm wondering if the moly lube is plugging the push rods just enough to prevent oil passage and/or if my drill isn't providing enough rpm?? Any thoughts? Do you think manually oiling down the rockers from above and spring would be sufficient?
Thanks, Monte

[Joe L.]

Re: oil pre prime question

Hello all!
I have just rebuilt the top end of my 63 327 fuelie.
I am currently doing the oil pre prime step. I am getting good oil pressure reading (just under 60psi) and running the pump up to 30 minutes at a time. Rotating the engine 1/4 turn every few minutes or so. I am getting oil to all rockers except #1 (both rockers) and #2 (exhaust rocker).
I did moly lube both ends of the push rods as well as the rocker to spring tips. I did not replace the lifters as they were in excellent condition. I'm wondering if the moly lube is plugging the push rods just enough to prevent oil passage and/or if my drill isn't providing enough rpm?? Any thoughts? Do you think manually oiling down the rockers from above and spring would be sufficient?
Thanks, Monte

Monte-------

Applying a little compressed air to the top of the pushrods should eliminate the possibility that any moly lube is blocking the oil from coming up through the pushrods. I doubt that it is but this will eliminate that possibility.

By the way, you mention that you re-used the lifters. I assume that you did not replace the cam. But, did you re-install the lifters on the same cam lobes they were originally mated to?

[Monte K.]

Re: oil pre prime question

Hi Joe,
Correct... I did not replace the cam. All lifters did go back to original locations.
Thanks for the info. I did already try the compressed air idea. Ill try again!

[Mark E.]

Re: oil pre prime question

Monte,

I would remove the pushrods not passing oil, blow them out with compressed air and eyeball for constrictions. Then replace without lube on the ends (oil only).

It's interesting that the valves furthest from the pump are not passing oil. You ask if your drill is turning fast enough and I wonder if this may explain why #1 and #2 cylinder's valves are not oiling. I use a 1/2" drive heavy duty drill that spins at 500 rpm, which works well for this.

What are you using to spin the pump? A special pump primer or a homemade primer made from a distributor housing and shaft is required. Spinning with a screwdriver or similar attached to the drill will cause an internal oil leak and provide only limited pressure.

In any case, figure this out before starting the engine. "Manually oiling down the rockers from above" won't guarantee these valves will get sufficient oil while running.