472 oil pump installation - prime it?

[Scot Minesinger]

Had to remove oil pump to replace timing chain and with gasket have re-installed it.  One of the installation instructions in shop manual stated to "pack it with petroleum".  What the heck does that mean?  Should I have filled pump with oil before installing best I could and bolt in place, which may serve as a prime? 

The pump gears have a heavy coating of oil already and car will sit two months without being started.  I looked at new oil pump instructions once and it just says to coat with oil, not fill with oil or pack with petroleum.

I will crank car over with ignition coil wire and fuel pump disconnected for a minute or two just to give it some circulation before starting it.

[Jay Friedman]

When rebuilding my '49's motor, I followed the advice of an old engine man and packed the oil pump with vaseline (petroleum jelly).  It primes the pump and melts away when the motor warms up.  Before starting the motor, I cranked it a few turns with the coil wire dis-connected.  I then connected the wire and started the motor.  The oil pressure immediately went up to normal ('49s have an oil pressure gauge). 

[Scot Minesinger]

I will be installing an oil pressure gauge so will be in the know on that issue.

[35-709]

Right, that should be petroleum jelly.  Fill the oil filter with your motor oil, or mostly full --- enough so it doesn't run all over the place when you tilt it slightly to screw it on.  Or if you're quick and don't mind a little spill, fill it up.  This will save the time it takes the pump to prime itself and then fill the filter before the oil is sent through the engine.  If the dizzy is still out you can prime the pump with a drill motor which was discussed on these forums a short time ago.  First time I did that I used an old 1" wood boring bit ( I think it was 1", check for fit first, might have been a 3/4" bit), ground the sharp point off it and put it in a drill motor that takes up to a 1/2" drill bit --- a smaller drill motor may not turn the pump once the prime is picked up.  You will definitely know when the pump picks up the prime.  You can also take the spark plugs out and spin the engine with the starter motor until you see pressure on your gauge. 

[fabbrofour]

Get a piece of hex rod ( I believe 1/4") that is long enough to reach down to the oil pump and attach a drill motor to it. The piece I have is about 20" long. You can turn the pump over without having to turn the engine over and that will prime the system. No mess.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Petroleum Jelly, or oil as previously stated.

A piece of Hex Rod won't work, as these Cadillacs use a different shaped drive.

But, turning a motor over with the spark not operating is putting extra strain on the bearings, as the compression stroke will still put downward pressure on the shells.   

The best way, if the engine won't start immediately, is to pour a gulp of petrol down the carby and immediately fire her up.

Bruce.

[Scot Minesinger]

Ok, went back and put oil in it, did not spill a drop.  The gasket stuck to the block, so it was fairly easy to do.  Thanks again guys. 

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I think it helps with the suction when the pump is dry.  Vaseline prevents the pump from sucking air at first.  The Vaseline won't compress like air.  They use it in airplane engines when they are rebuilt too.
When done, it just burns off.  It also keeps the PCV system from having that dry, itchy feeling 
Jeff