Prelubing rebuilt 350

[piersbc]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my Mercruiser 260/V8. I'm to the point of prelubing the engine. Usually I just soak the lifters and go on but for this engine I have an oil pump primer tool, but I'm having a little trouble. I connected the primer tool to the oil pump via the distributor hole and started spinning it with the drill. but I never got oil coming up the push rods or anywhere. I did feel a lot of resistance building up and the drill finally overheated. So am I doing something wrong or do I just need a more powerful drill? I have 15w40 oil in it now.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Prelubing rebuilt 350

You need to have someone with a wrench slowly turn the motor over while you prelube. This way the oil travels all the oil galleries. You may then see oil travel up some of the push rods.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Prelubing rebuilt 350

It takes a good 1/2 inch drill to get enough power and you still may not get oil up the push rods without the engine running. As long as you can get the oil pressure up to normal for for 30 seconds all the oil passages to the main, rod, cam bearings and lifter gallery should be full which is all you need to do. Just pour some oil on the rocker arms and valves. Make sure the drill is running in the right direction.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prelubing rebuilt 350

Capt Ken's got the answer........<br />When I prime my rebuilds,<br />I run the drill for 2 or 3 minutes, then turn the motor 1/4 turn,+ do it again......<br />I do this for 2 full revolutions......<br />It might be over-kill,<br />But I Know Everything is Wet..............

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Prelubing rebuilt 350

Ive found that using just a shaft to turn the pump dosent get the oil to the lifter gallery because you need a distributer in place to divert the oil there. Get any GM dist. grind/remove the cam drive gear, install and use a good 1/2 in. drill .Rotate the motor by hand or starter to assure oil delivery throughout the engine before the initial fireup.