can't get lifter to prime?

greg fulk · 09-29-2009, 02:36 PM

Hey have any of you run into this... just the passenger side of the block won't prime?? Hyd lifter brand new engine (everything new)?

danny waters sr · 09-29-2009, 02:46 PM

Did you soak them in oil. I did mine for about a day and they pumped up quickly in motor.

cad · 09-29-2009, 03:02 PM

Yes. My 383 and 385 sbc did not want to prime. Roll the engine over 45 degrees, prime, roll it over 45 degress, prime, and continue....it should get going after that.

Clark

greg fulk · 09-29-2009, 04:27 PM

OK I'll try that ...oh it's a 305 chevy should have told you that. & no I didn't soak them...

njk53 · 09-29-2009, 06:41 PM

Greg:

What type of tool are you trying to prime your engine with? I don't know if you are aware but on a small block Chevrolet you have to have a prime tool that copies the drive to the oil pump and the distributor body to get oil to both banks. If you use just a prime shaft it will only pump up one side.

greg fulk · 09-29-2009, 06:44 PM

Is that right??? I have a 1/2 drive drill with a cut off screwdriver in it....hows that for sadd!!!! LOL

njk53 · 09-29-2009, 07:04 PM

You can use an old Chevrolet distributor with all of the guts out of it. Just keep the shaft and distributor body intact. Weld a piece of a cut off allen wrench to the top of the distributor shaft to spin the pump with your electric drill motor. Or you can buy the tool from Summit that's what we have and I don't think they are all that expensive. It will also work with a big block when you build a couple of them LOL. Good Luck.

greg fulk · 09-29-2009, 07:12 PM

Thanks!!!

09-29-2009, 02:36 PM	#1
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	can't get lifter to prime? Hey have any of you run into this... just the passenger side of the block won't prime?? Hyd lifter brand new engine (everything new)? __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

09-29-2009, 02:46 PM	#2
danny waters sr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: lagrange,nc Posts: 2,224 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? Did you soak them in oil. I did mine for about a day and they pumped up quickly in motor. __________________ Danny Waters, Sr / 73 Duster "340"

09-29-2009, 03:02 PM	#3
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 696 Likes: 198 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? Yes. My 383 and 385 sbc did not want to prime. Roll the engine over 45 degrees, prime, roll it over 45 degress, prime, and continue....it should get going after that. Clark

09-29-2009, 04:27 PM	#4
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? OK I'll try that ...oh it's a 305 chevy should have told you that. & no I didn't soak them... __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

09-29-2009, 06:41 PM	#5
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? Greg: What type of tool are you trying to prime your engine with? I don't know if you are aware but on a small block Chevrolet you have to have a prime tool that copies the drive to the oil pump and the distributor body to get oil to both banks. If you use just a prime shaft it will only pump up one side. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

09-29-2009, 06:44 PM	#6
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? Is that right??? I have a 1/2 drive drill with a cut off screwdriver in it....hows that for sadd!!!! LOL __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

09-29-2009, 07:04 PM	#7
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? You can use an old Chevrolet distributor with all of the guts out of it. Just keep the shaft and distributor body intact. Weld a piece of a cut off allen wrench to the top of the distributor shaft to spin the pump with your electric drill motor. Or you can buy the tool from Summit that's what we have and I don't think they are all that expensive. It will also work with a big block when you build a couple of them LOL. Good Luck. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

09-29-2009, 07:12 PM	#8
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: can't get lifter to prime? Thanks!!! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"