C-3 427 initial prelube question

[Mark A.]

Hi,
I have completed the assembly of my rebuilt 390 hp engine. I hooked up a oil pressure guage to the engine, and spun my oil pump with a drill and pump drive tool. Oil pressure goes to #50 right away. However even after a minute of spinning the oil pump, I don't have any oil coming out of the pushrods. Is this because the lifters are not moving in their bores, or should I be looking for a problem somewhere? I don't want to start the motor and wipe out my valve train. Thanks for the help. Mark

[Fred Y.]

Re: C-3 427 initial prelube question

Mark,Depending on the rpm of your drill,your drill is trying to do the work of something it really wasn't designed for.I've heard friends say it took up to a good 20 mins. of running the drill to get oil through all the passages & up & through the pushrods.I'm in the process of a frame off on my 67 427 390 & it took about a good 10 mins till it started coming out the "1st" pushrod & slowly worked it's way down the line from front to back until all 16 were lubed-up.Keep running the drill!!!(but remember to give it a 10 min. rest when its motor gets hot!!) Much better a cooked drill $30.00 than a cooked 427/390 eh??

[Mark A.]

Re: C-3 427 initial prelube question

Fred,
Whew!! I was getting a little paranoid I guess. Thanks for the input, much appreciated. Mark

[Duke W.]

Re: C-3 427 initial prelube question

You have to rotate the crankshaft through at least two revolutions while you have oil pressure. The lifters/valvtrain will only get oil when the lifters are on the base circle or somewhat above while the lifter groove is exposed to the the respective lifter oil feed gallery. And you only need to run the drill fast enough to generate 10-20 psi.

Starting at TDC #1 with both valves closed build pressure for a few seconds (say 5-10 seconds or until you see oil at the #1 rocker nozzles), then rotate 90 degrees, hold for a the same period, then rotate another 90 degrees... At each 90 degree interval 8 lifters are on or near the base circle, so two revolutions with appropriate dwell time every 90 degrees should do the trick, and you should see oil at all rocker arm nozzles.

Duke

[Fred Y.]

Yes Duke brought up good point!

Mark,I forgot to metion what Duke Did!. I did ALSO crank the engine 90 deg a couple times as I was priming the engine.This way all the parts get oil & are happy.

[John H.]

Re: Yes Duke brought up good point!

Make sure your primer tool has the spool at the bottom (like the one on the distributor housing), or you won't get ANY oil to the lifters; just a shaft won't get it done.