Oil pump priming - 318 poly
wheelcover
Posted 2019-05-20 12:45 AM (#582300)
Subject: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Veteran

Posts: 130
10025
Location: Wyoming
I haven’t gotten the distributor out yet, but I’d like to prime an A block 318 with oil before starting - it’s been sitting a long time. Is an oil pump priming tool commercially available or do I need to use an old distributor shaft? I know some newer engines are a hex drive, but not sure about this one.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
58coupe
Posted 2019-05-20 1:03 AM (#582301 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert

Posts: 1739
100050010010025
Location: Alaska
The problem is the oil pump is driven by an intermediary gear off the camshaft and the whole engine has to be rotated to turn the oil pump. You would have to partially tear down the engine to spin the pump.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
mikes2nd
Posted 2019-05-20 1:14 AM (#582303 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Expert 5K+

Posts: 5006
5000
you can take the intermediate shaft out and put a oil priming rod in there cant you? of course the pro's just use a oil primer tank but they run like 250$.

I know most just fire them up...

i think it uses a big allen bar, not sure the old one used hex rod... check it out and make one if round
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wheelcover
Posted 2019-05-20 8:05 AM (#582310 - in reply to #582301)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Veteran

Posts: 130
10025
Location: Wyoming
If I understand what’s been said, the intermediate shaft runs off the cam gear and it actually spins both the distributor shaft (above it) and oil pump drive shaft (below it)? How can I remove the intermediate shaft? Exploded view?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
jboymechanic
Posted 2019-05-20 10:17 AM (#582318 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert

Posts: 2196
2000100252525
Location: Muskego, WI
Pull the distributor and look down in the hole and you'll see the intermediate shaft. Use a spreading pliers (like snap ring pliers) or a strong magnet to remove. Look at the end of the intermediate shaft and you'll know what shape you'll need to drive your oil pump (I believe it is a slot, just like the end of the distributor). Then follow the procedure to re-install the intermediate shaft, which should be to find TDC on cylinder one and then install the intermediate shaft so the slot that drives the distributor is parallel with the crank centerline when the intermediate shaft is fully seated. The gears are angle cut, so the gear will spiral back into place. Then make sure you install the distributor so the rotor points at cylinder 1 spark plug when you re-install.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wheelcover
Posted 2019-05-20 1:02 PM (#582323 - in reply to #582318)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Veteran

Posts: 130
10025
Location: Wyoming
Got it. Thanks.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
60 dart
Posted 2019-05-20 2:57 PM (#582328 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8947
50002000100050010010010010025
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA
it's pretty much self explanatory once you have a look -------------------------------------------------later
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ttotired
Posted 2019-05-20 4:44 PM (#582334 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8443
50002000100010010010010025
Location: Perth Australia
Yep or if you have just built the engine, you should have all the good lube stuff everywhere, so disconnect the coil and crank it the engine.
If its an old engine that hasn't run for a long time, take the rocker covers off and pour the new oil over everything and then crank it
If you want it to crank easier or longer, pull the plugs out first

You should leave the rocker covers off until your sure both sides are getting oil. Its not just pressure you need, its also distribution.

If you do choose to artificially prime it, remember to turn the crank at the same time to open different oil paths in the engine

The hard part of artificially priming the engine is (as said) the gear for the shaft is angle cut and the oil pump drive is a slot, so as your trying to reinstall the shaft, if the slot isn't in the right
spot, the shaft wont drop until you get the slot and tang to line up. Which then means you may need to remove the shaft again if your first go was out 1 tooth or whatever

I have always done it by just cranking it



Top of the page Bottom of the page
Viper Guy
Posted 2019-05-20 8:47 PM (#582344 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert

Posts: 2002
2000
Location: Branson, MO
What ttotired said. Works for me.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
58coupe
Posted 2019-05-20 10:36 PM (#582349 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert

Posts: 1739
100050010010025
Location: Alaska
I hesitate to tell someone to pull the gear and reinstall not knowing their expertise working on engines. Jeffrey seems to understand what we are telling him.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wheelcover
Posted 2019-05-21 10:44 AM (#582364 - in reply to #582349)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Veteran

Posts: 130
10025
Location: Wyoming
thanks for everyone’s input - much appreciated. I’ll test the procedure on an engine not installed in a car before I try it leaned over a fender. Just trying to preserve the old bearings as much as I can by cranking over dry. Lots of sludge in the oil pan and I assume elsewhere in the engine - trying to eliminate that too before getting things going again.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
60 dart
Posted 2019-05-21 4:06 PM (#582378 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8947
50002000100050010010010010025
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA
if you can get an old clean cam/oil pump gear shaft , grind the gears off , then a short rod up the rest of the way . got one in my tool box right now ------------------------------------later
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wheelcover
Posted 2019-05-21 4:59 PM (#582383 - in reply to #582378)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Veteran

Posts: 130
10025
Location: Wyoming
After speaking with my brother about it, that was my plan. Thought even about disassembling an old distributor and spinning the top of that shaft after reinstalling - still a closed system that way.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ronbo97
Posted 2019-05-21 6:06 PM (#582389 - in reply to #582303)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly


Expert

Posts: 4034
2000200025
Location: Connecticut

mikes2nd - 2019-05-20 1:14 AM you can take the intermediate shaft out and put a oil priming rod in there cant you? of course the pro's just use a oil primer tank but they run like 250$. I know most just fire them up... i think it uses a big allen bar, not sure the old one used hex rod... check it out and make one if round

Mike is on the money here. 

For the 318 in my 58 Plymouth, which hadn't been started in over a decade, I spiraled out the intermediate shaft. Then I purchased a 1/2" steel bar at Home Depot. I cut the bar down to about 12" with a cutoff wheel on a die grinder. Then I cut a notch in the end of the bar with the cutoff wheel. I widened it until it fit over the end of the oil pump. Then I chucked it in my drill and spun slowly for about a minute. You can feel resistance as pressure builds up.

Ron

Top of the page Bottom of the page
57chizler
Posted 2019-05-22 1:22 PM (#582409 - in reply to #582378)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert

Posts: 3768
200010005001001002525
Location: NorCal
60 dart - 2019-05-21 1:06 PM

if you can get an old clean cam/oil pump gear shaft , grind the gears off , then a short rod up the rest of the way .


Yep, this is the one I made for big blocks.



(OP Primer.JPG)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments OP Primer.JPG (170KB - 148 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
57chizler
Posted 2019-05-22 1:28 PM (#582410 - in reply to #582409)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert

Posts: 3768
200010005001001002525
Location: NorCal
For comparison this is what the early 318 shaft (P/N 1323369) looks like.



(Sht.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Sht.jpg (105KB - 154 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
normsclassicradio
Posted 2019-05-22 5:05 PM (#582421 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: Re: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Veteran

Posts: 298
100100252525
Location: Kalispell, MT USA
I bought one of the long hex shaped ones for my b-motor. Maybe cut a slot in one end? would work for both styles then.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Powerflite
Posted 2019-05-22 6:35 PM (#582433 - in reply to #582300)
Subject: RE: Oil pump priming - 318 poly



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
I prefer to use a much smaller diameter rod so that it doesn't rub on the bushing for the intermediate shaft, and so it is also easier to get in and out. So I used a smaller hex rod and welded the cut-off end of an intermediate shaft on it. Then cut it down a little on a lathe to make it even easier to insert & remove. It works really well. In fact, I am using it on my 392 today. Keep in mind that you will likely need to remove the heater box in order to fit your drill in there unless you have a particularly small drill and your rod is short enough.



(Oil Pump Primer.jpg)



(Oil Priming.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Oil Pump Primer.jpg (217KB - 140 downloads)
Attachments Oil Priming.jpg (121KB - 131 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page