Help Needed - 383 Pre Lube / Priming Question

[ecupir8te01]

Hello - I am replacing the heads on my 383 (1969 Charger). The car has not been driven in about two months. I am a novice when it comes to engine work so I need some help. Do I need to prime / pre lube the engine after replacing the heads? If so, does anyone have any advice about how to do it. Thanks in advance.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Not necessary, but let's go ahead and do it anyway.

1. Pull the distributor cap and look where the rotor is pointing, mark the distributor.
2. Pull the distributor and notice the "slot" where it is pointing.
3. Use a long flat head screwdriver and put it in the "slot", turn it and it start to come up off the cam gear.....long needle nose pliers should be able to grab it now, pull it out.
4. You'll need a oil pump priming tool, it's a hex design and 18-20 inches long.
5. Slip it in and turn the drill COUNTER CLOCK WISE!
6. Turn the motor over a few times until you get oil in the pass. side head
7. Put everything back together and you should be good to go.

 

[A383Wing]

hope you got the rocker shafts on the correct way with the oil holes for the rockers towards the exhaust valves...if not, you are gonna have galling and oiling issues up there

 

[ecupir8te01]

Thank you.

Thank you for the detailed step-by-step response. It is most helpful

Not necessary, but let's go ahead and do it anyway.

1. Pull the distributor cap and look where the rotor is pointing, mark the distributor.
2. Pull the distributor and notice the "slot" where it is pointing.
3. Use a long flat head screwdriver and put it in the "slot", turn it and it start to come up off the cam gear.....long needle nose pliers should be able to grab it now, pull it out.
4. You'll need a oil pump priming tool, it's a hex design and 18-20 inches long.
5. Slip it in and turn the drill COUNTER CLOCK WISE!
6. Turn the motor over a few times until you get oil in the pass. side head
7. Put everything back together and you should be good to go.

 

[5.7 hemi]

No problem!

 

[Pistol Pete]

I'll add a tip:

When installing the intermediate shaft, get two large flat blade screwdrivers, insert them in the slot and squeeze the handles together. This forces the tips apart giving you a good grip on the shaft.

Okay, stop giggling.