starting a freshly rebuilt engine for the first time...

[newaccorddriver]

how do you start a freshly rebuilt engine for the first time without it spinning a bearing? im installing an oil pressure gauge, so should i just keep cranking with the coil wire out until it registers some pressure?

[88Accord-DX]

As long as you put assembly lube on the working face of the main & rod bearings, you should be ok for a little while. Back in the day, you could pack the oil pump with petroleum jelly, now your suppose to emerse the oil pump in fresh oil. If the car doesn't start up after a few tries, check things out.

Here are a few ways to prime the engine.


Manually priming an engine with a distributor

This method requires the use of a device to drive the oil pump.
1. Fill oil filter & crankcase with oil.
2. Insert a drive tool through the distributor opening into the oil pump drive shaft. The drive tool can be a specialty tool made for this purpose or a shaft adapted to fit the oil pump drive shaft.
3. The drive tool is attached to an electric drill. This will spin the oil pump shaft & circulate the oil through the engine under pressure.
4. While this is being done, rotate the crankshaft several turns.
5. When the engine is primed, remove the tool & re-install the distributor.

Priming the engine using a pressurized container of oil

1. Connect the pressurized container to an oil sending unit hole.
2. Open the valve on the container.
3. Rotate the crankshaft several turns by hand to allow oil passages & holes line up.
4. Check & adjust oil level.

Alternate method for priming the engine

This method uses special grease or petroleum jelly that will not clog up oil passages

1. Pack the oil pump with a special grease or white petroleum jelly before it is installed.
2. Fill the oil filter with oil before it is installed.
3. Fill the crankcase with oil.
4. Prevent starting by disconnecting fuel & ignition system.
5. Crank the engine for 30 seconds.

[Oldblueaccord]

ddude2uc does that oil prime work on our cars? I think that would just turn the cam heance the whole motor. Thats sounds like something more on like domestic V-8's.

As far as stat up and oil primeing on our cars the only thing I could think of is with the timing belt off turn the oil pump with something like and impact or a drill motor.

Cranking until you get oil pressure sounds like the best bet otherwise.


wp

[88Accord-DX]

ddude2uc does that oil prime work on our cars? Thats sounds like something more on like domestic V-8's.
The distributor one wouldn't work, that is for other engines where the oil pump runs off the distributor shaft.

If he is really worried about it, he could tap into the oil pressure unit sending hole with a can of pressurized oil.

[88Accord-DX]

Personally, as long as there is enough assemby lube on your bearings & you put oil in your cylinder walls, just remove the coil wire & crank over a few times. About 5 seconds.

[88Accord-DX]

Edit- D.P.