Why don’t I have oil pressure when turning engine over with the starter plugs out

[Marty C]

I just had my 1952 Dodge Coronet 230 6 cylinder engine rebuilt. I added 5 quarts of break in oil and I wanted to see if I had oil in the filter reservoir and nothing. I then disconnected both lines to filter and cranked engine with a fully charged 6 by battery connected to a charger in start mode. It was spinning pretty fast and no oil as coming out of the holes in block where the filter lines go. Is this normal?

I don’t want to start the engine if the oil pump is not working. Is there any other way to tell if the oil pump is working?

can the oil pump be changed with engine in the car?

I see RockAuto has two to choose from in stock

[keithb7]

You need to remove the oil pump and prime it. Get all the air out. 

[keithb7]

I address priming the pump here at the 10:30 mark 

 

 

[LazyK]

there have been several topics lately of inferior oil pumps. 

remove the distributor cap and turn the engine over if the distributor does not turn you have one of the inferior pumps. if the distributor turns follow Keith's instruction/video above to prime the pump. 

[Marty C]

So I guess I have to pull oil pump out and soak it in oil and get air out

anything I need to know about pulling pump?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Buy one of these...only a couple hundred bucks...fill the oiling system up in a minute...

Start it up.

[RobertKB]

I’ve used something similar. Remove a plug from the oil channel, attach said equipment, and use compressed air as directed. Filled the oil pump, oil filter, and oil pan. Lubricates everything at the same time. Rebuilt engine had instant oil pressure when fired. 

[LeRoy]

You could try taking the cover off the oil pump, packing it full of Vaseline and try spinning it over again. It worked for me.

[Sniper]

  On 1/5/2023 at 4:36 AM, Dodgeb4ya said:

Buy one of these...only a couple hundred bucks...fill the oiling system up in a minute...

Start it up.

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You can make one of those with a garden sprayer and some fittings, under $50 easy.

 

A thread on it with pictures

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/1640877-oil-priming.html

[DJK]

I would also fill the oil filter cavity. While freeing up valves on a donor engine and turning it over by hand, after a few revolutions, oil would come out the oil tube that goes to the gauge. Engine had been sitting for many years. 

[Marty C]

I did fill the filter and tried cranking engine but still no pressure . It then drained out pretty quickly 

[kencombs]

I suspect the issue is where you are looking for oil pressure/flow.  Remember that the oil filter process on these is a bypass/partial filtration.  Only after the oil pump is able to deliver more oil flow than needed for the bearing lubrication will any flow into the filter.   It is very likely that at cranking speeds that threshold will not be crossed.  

 

To be sure, remove another plug that enters the main oil gallery and check there.

[Los_Control]

@kencombshas a good point. You will not see much pressure.

On one engine a few years ago, also my current engine. I turned them over with the spark plugs removed.

All I saw was the the oil pressure gauge move. Possibly 2 or 3 pounds .... thats all I was looking for. I knew oil was circulating.

When started the used engines had acceptable oil pressure.

 

Does your gauge move? .... is it possible making something out of nothing?

[Marty C]

Gauge and all oil lines going to filter were removed to see if oil was coming out….nothing 

[Marty C]

Not solved yet hit that one by accident 

[DJK]

  On 1/5/2023 at 3:48 PM, Marty C said:

I did fill the filter and tried cranking engine but still no pressure . It then drained out pretty quickly 

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Not sure why the filter cavity should drain, I can remove both lines and no oil comes out due to the tube that is in the center of the assembly  which goes to the top.

[Marty C]

Not sure either 

[Marty C]

  On 1/5/2023 at 5:51 PM, kencombs said:

I suspect the issue is where you are looking for oil pressure/flow.  Remember that the oil filter process on these is a bypass/partial filtration.  Only after the oil pump is able to deliver more oil flow than needed for the bearing lubrication will any flow into the filter.   It is very likely that at cranking speeds that threshold will not be crossed.  

 

To be sure, remove another plug that enters the main oil gallery and check there.

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I’m not positive exactly what plug goes to oil galley 

also not sure where the factory connected the oil gauge 

was all disconnected when I got the car

[Marty C]

The picture I posted showing the hole is where I connected the oil gauge line 

is that correct?

[9 foot box]

   Did you ever take the distributor cap off to see if the rotor is turning when you are cranking it over?

[DJK]

  On 1/6/2023 at 2:30 AM, Marty C said:

The picture I posted showing the hole is where I connected the oil gauge line 

is that correct?

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Just went out and looked at mine, the hole above the angled fitting goes to the oil gauge, the angled fitting goes to the bottom of the filter. Either way, sounds like the pump needs to be packed with vasoline to properly prime it.

[Marty C]

  On 1/6/2023 at 3:16 AM, 9 foot box said:

   Did you ever take the distributor cap off to see if the rotor is turning when you are cranking it over?

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Yes rotor is turning just fine

[Marty C]

  On 1/6/2023 at 12:20 PM, DJK said:

Just went out and looked at mine, the hole above the angled fitting goes to the oil gauge, the angled fitting goes to the bottom of the filter. Either way, sounds like the pump needs to be packed with vasoline to properly prime it.

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Great thanks 

that’s exactly where I put it!

im going to pull the oil pump and get it all lubed up!!

next warm day!!

  On 1/6/2023 at 3:16 AM, 9 foot box said:

   Did you ever take the distributor cap off to see if the rotor is turning when you are cranking it over?

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  On 1/6/2023 at 12:20 PM, DJK said:

Just went out and looked at mine, the hole above the angled fitting goes to the oil gauge, the angled fitting goes to the bottom of the filter. Either way, sounds like the pump needs to be packed with vasoline to properly prime it.

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[LeRoy]

  On 1/6/2023 at 4:06 PM, Marty C said:

Great thanks 

that’s exactly where I put it!

im going to pull the oil pump and get it all lubed up!!

next warm day!!

 

 

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I like the color of your engine. I painted mine silver during the overhaul, it's not holding up well and I didn't care for the look even when freshly painted. Next time I have it out I think I'll copy yours.

Edited January 6, 2023 by LeRoy