My 292 is a fresh rebuild, I'm trying to start it for the first time. There is no oil pressure building up. I've tried two different pumps and she turns over nicely...
any suggestions or pointers would be extremely helpful.

Thank you,

-Johnny

Portland, OR

OK, when you say "trying to start it for the first time," do you mean everything is hooked up and you are turning the key? I would highly suggest checking the oil pressure a different way. Remove the Passenger Side Valve Cover so that you can see the Rocker Arm Oil return tube. Now, mark the location of your distributor base to the block boss and also mark the location of the rotor to the distributor cap housing. Now remove the distributor. SECURE a 1/4" socket and a long extension to a drill (use some tape or something here so you don't lose that socket in the block!) and put the drill switch on reverse. Pull the trigger and run the drill for 20 to 30 seconds. By that time you should see some oil coming out of the rocker arm oil return tube.

If you have an early block that has a camshaft that is cross-drilled and not grooved, then you may have to turn the crank/cam assembly to the 90 degree mark to get oil to flow. If you have a grooved camshaft journal, then do not worry about turning the crank/cam assembly.

How are you checking the oil pressure? With a gauge, by sight, with the light, or what?

Need a little more info to help.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I agree with the "Reverend". Don't try to start the engine until you know you have good oil flow or you could wipe out all the bearings. On mine I had to use a deep 1/4 socket to reach the hex oil pump drive shaft. Use a light and make sure the drive shaft is still in the block.Ben

Ben HessTulsa,OK

Thank you so much for the quick responses.

I have a mechanical gauge hooked up. Sorry for the lack of info, I was a little frustrated when I was writing the post. I had the electrical and gas unhooked and was using the starter to turn the motor/oil pump to build pressure before trying to fire it up.

I have a center groove isky cam. I was going to spin the shaft with a drill but someone I know had suggested doing it the other way to bring it up to pressure before starting it. I will try using the socket/drill on the shaft tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Johnny

-Johnny

Portland, OR

Remember COUNTERClockwise rotation with the drill

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

A simple question that is very obvious but has to be asked, did you put oil in the motor?


Lawrenceville, GA

You now have two opinions on which way you spin the pump. Reverend is correct, run the drill in reverse. Counter clockwise, when viewed from the top of the engine.

Another obvious question, did you put the rubber seal on the inlet pipe to the oil pump? Did you tighten the nut snugly?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

holy cow! Sorry I knew what I meant- I typed it wrong! You're right John-COUNTERCLOCKWISE

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

I'm going out to pull the distributor and try spinning the drive shaft right now. I have 5 quarts of break-in oil in her and changed the inlet seal to a new one each time I changed out the pump. I think I have two more pumps, but the first one I tried was a brand new, fresh out of the box Melling, same with the drive shaft...

Thanks again everyone! I'll write back and post some pics in a bit after I try this.

-Johnny

Portland, OR

Make darn sure you tape or otherwise attach the socket on your extension. When they come off they follow Murphys Law. They will go somewhere that you can't even see and end up in a spot you can't reach.

It may take a while for the oil pressure to come up with the drill. Use one that plugs into the wall unless you have a better battery drill than I do. You should hear some change in the drill when the pump strikes oil.

If you decide to pull the pump again check the bottom of the drive shaft and where it fits in the pump. I've seen these rounded off to the point the pump dosn't turn. Do you have your gauge hooked into the oil galley on the side of the block? Where the oil sending unit is normally. Good luck. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire