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No oil pressure on gauge…pls help…FIXED, thanks all.

Plyrr471

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So I start my car after having both the distributor and oil pump out, and now show no oil pressure on the gauge. I replaced the o rings in the oil pump. When replacing the distributor back in the motor and starting, it seems that just to get the engine to start I had to move the ignition wires clockwise 1 or 2 positions on the cap, as rotating the distributor wasn’t enabling it to start, still kicking back against the starter, or backfiring through carb. I didn’t have any issues replacing the oil pump (seemingly, at the time). Testing the sending unit in the manner below leads me to believe the sending unit might be the issue, but why all of a sudden??? Thoughts please…
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Although I primed oil filter before mounting it seems dry. Pulled dist and drive gear. Spun with drill, no pressure shown at gauge. Oil pump out. Looks ok. O rings seem good.
 
Which direction did you try to prime it?
Did it load down the drill speed at all or did it stay consistent??
 
Hi Dave. Counter clockwise spilling the drill, no resistance in drill effort, no sound difference. I’m stumped.
 
Big Blocks got to rotate counterclockwise so reverse on your drill not forward to get a prime
 
Does the o ring on the shaft going into the block have any bearing on oil pressure? I feel it could be a bit of a tighter fit.
 
CCW it should be.
Pull the filter and try to push some oil directly into the pump. Replace filter and try priming again.
If it doesn't pick up it sounds like you have some rework to do on that pump. Maybe sucking air. Check that o-ring for damage.

And get that mechanical gauge to verify your sender.
 
Drill must rotate counterclockwise (backwards) to prime the pump. I had a problem getting my 440 to prime in my '64 Polara. Long story; short, it was junk Fram filters. I tried 3 new ones, and pump would not prime. One of my buddies, who is a drag racer said my problem was my choice of oil filters. By this time, I had installed a mechanical gauge in the other port. I put a new Wix filter on, and the pump primed up to 80 psi. I will NEVER buy Fram again!

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What did you use for an oil pump gasket? The reason I ask is that I got a Milodon kit that had the wrong gasket. It was for an external pickup and didn’t have the hole needed for an internal pickup.
 
Put some clean white grease in pump rotors or STP. This seals the rotors.
 
1st... Did you prime the oil filter ?,
put a lil' oil/like a 1/2 qt in it before installing it

if all fails, after priming with a shaft, going counter clockwise with a drill...

Try this
Maybe you need to purge or burp the oil filter,
may have an air bubble possibly

Put a drain pan under that area, catch the oil so not make a mess
Crack the oil filter loose, leave it on, just barely loose from the seal

2nd try, disconnect the coil wire so it won't start
have someone in the car, crank it over a few times, watch for oil
tighten the filter back up, after a small purge of oil comes flowing out

if none comes out

3rd try with coil wire connected,
same deal 'oil filter loose off the seal barely'
have someone in the car, to turn it over & to shut it off immediately
if or when oil comes pouring out & be ready, to shut it off, immediately
if or when oil comes pouring out...
Tighten it back up, after shut off & replenish the spilt oil if need be...

Sometime all it takes is a purge, very lil' oil sometimes even comes out
before it shows oil pressure on a mechanical gauge
An idiot light or electronic gauge is a different story, usually

Sometimes all it takes is a small purge, like a burp, it's not that uncommon
sometimes it works without it firing, just cranking, & sometimes it doesn't

if it doesn't have oil coming out, after both attempts, almost immediately,
something internal is installed wrong or worn out

good luck
 
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Vance, so you’re saying I should be running the drill clockwise? Oil filter was not full when I removed it. Usually it dumps all over the K Frame.
Run the drill in reverse like you're removing a screw that's the way the pump turns to pull oil I just did this yesterday with a 5/16 rod socket and a drill by pulling the distributor in the drive gear putting the 5/16 shaft down into the oil pump turning it in reverse and oil pressure will come the drill will turn faster than your engine so it will pull the oil from the pan
 
Fixed. Thanks for all the help fellas. New one on me. Apparently the oil filter, Fram PH8A was the issue, or air locked in some way. Disassembled the pump, all ok, put the pump in, primed the pump with oil per Daves suggestion, and primed the filter as always. Spun drive ccw and almost immediately drill was drawn down and oil pressure picked up right away. Dist drive gear and dist back in, set idle and timed it. Good to go!!! Thanks as always gents. Guess I’ll be going Wix going forward. Anyone know the part # off hand for a ‘71 383?
 
I wouldn’t get too comfortable with Wix, as I think that part number is no longer made in the USA.
 
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