phoenixv8
Active Member
As the title, I'm got a bit of a head scratcher that I'm turning to the hive mind for help with regarding no/very low oil pressure when priming the system before first start up of my 440 after replacing the oil pan
On the maiden test drive of my 70 Charger, I managed to smack the ever loving cr*p out of the bottom of my Milodon pan as it sat far too low. Too damaged to repair quickly or well enough to look decent, I turned to the internet and ended up ordering a Mildon 31580 pan as it sat higher than the previous one whilst retaining the 7 quart capacity with wings on either side. I ordered the pan through an export/import company here in the UK and waited. Unfortunately, they ordered the 31581 with external pickup. Not one to be daunted and with a tight deadline to meet a race weekend I decided to proceed with the external pickup and ordered the 440 Source oil pump cover and had an AN12 line made locally.
Having put it all together though, I wanted to do my due dilligence and prime the oil system before first fire since the new pan. However, there is barely any needle movement on the Autometer capilliary oil pressure gauge despite using the priming tool (in reverse so it's spinning counter clockwise)
So I'm wondering, have I missed a crucial step here??
I have nearly 10 quarts of brand new 20w50 in the engine at the moment which brings the level to just above full on the dipstick
The gauge ran up to 20psi for a little bit after I had packed the oil pump with petroleum jelly to try and induce the pump to draw
I am running the drill in reverse (counter clockwise) with the tool inserted all the way
I have the oil pressure regulator wound in about halfway (so that the nyloc nut has full thread contact on the threaded insert)
I have the correct oil pump and longer auxilliary shaft to drive it
The only thing I can think of potentially being an issue is that I don't recall plugging the old internal pickup hole when swapping over the pan, could this be a problem?
I know that plenty of guys are running this same setup and there is nothing special about mine so I'm hoping someone can help me
Many thanks
On the maiden test drive of my 70 Charger, I managed to smack the ever loving cr*p out of the bottom of my Milodon pan as it sat far too low. Too damaged to repair quickly or well enough to look decent, I turned to the internet and ended up ordering a Mildon 31580 pan as it sat higher than the previous one whilst retaining the 7 quart capacity with wings on either side. I ordered the pan through an export/import company here in the UK and waited. Unfortunately, they ordered the 31581 with external pickup. Not one to be daunted and with a tight deadline to meet a race weekend I decided to proceed with the external pickup and ordered the 440 Source oil pump cover and had an AN12 line made locally.
Having put it all together though, I wanted to do my due dilligence and prime the oil system before first fire since the new pan. However, there is barely any needle movement on the Autometer capilliary oil pressure gauge despite using the priming tool (in reverse so it's spinning counter clockwise)
So I'm wondering, have I missed a crucial step here??
I have nearly 10 quarts of brand new 20w50 in the engine at the moment which brings the level to just above full on the dipstick
The gauge ran up to 20psi for a little bit after I had packed the oil pump with petroleum jelly to try and induce the pump to draw
I am running the drill in reverse (counter clockwise) with the tool inserted all the way
I have the oil pressure regulator wound in about halfway (so that the nyloc nut has full thread contact on the threaded insert)
I have the correct oil pump and longer auxilliary shaft to drive it
The only thing I can think of potentially being an issue is that I don't recall plugging the old internal pickup hole when swapping over the pan, could this be a problem?
I know that plenty of guys are running this same setup and there is nothing special about mine so I'm hoping someone can help me
Many thanks














