Put the engine in my Dart a month or so ago, been wrapping up some details, and took a vacation. Today I came to the moment of truth, I filled all the fluids and hit the key to prime the pump a bit, and nothing. I spun it a couple of times over the course of the day....What Gives. There is no oil even in the line to the pressure gauge. I'm fairly confident that I spun it long enough to develop pressure, how long does it usually take...brand new everything. Block was completely tanked.

New Melling Pump, packed before installation w/ Vaseline.
5 Quarts 10w30 in the pan almost a full quart in the filter.

What is the easiest way to determine if my new pump is bad, can you pull the cover off.
What are the odds it's a relief valve?
I got an oil filter stand pipe from a dealer because I had tossed mine with the filter at dissasembly. Should I try the open one that came with the pump?
Any way to determine if it's a pick up problem?

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225 .030
.020 off the block .100 from head
Comp 264
904 Tranny
New Ebre-ting

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j103/edrod01/

I'd crank it some more. Not sure if I'd recommend hitting the ignition but if it were mine I might start it for 15 -20 seconds and see what happens. Be advised that I don't always do the right thing, but the esembly lube should protect it for a few seconds I would think.

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67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir

oh by the way the engine looks great in there.

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67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir

i'd start it too, for 10 minutes at least... but I tend to do it "my waaaaaayyyyy"

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

r u 110% sure u got the end plug in the oil galley reinstalled? i left mine out. pump worked great, just pumped oil rite back into the pan.

D~~~!

See if you can get the engine to "fire off" and run for a second or two.
The higher RPMs of a running engine should quickly fill the filter and oil passages.

Be SURE you have a operating pressure gauge or warning light and shut-off the engine if your do not get oil pressure after a few seconds of running.
DD

Did you pack the oil pump cavity with vaseline or light grease?

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Just taking another look at your picture and man does that look sweet or what. I 'll be installing my engine very soon. I really should repaint the engine bay while the engine is out but I am going to pass at this point. I am going to be use the crome cover also and looking at your picture I am glad I did.
Did you have a fitment problem with the valve cover? I chose to grind mine a bit at the top side because it looked like it won't seat all the way without. Had to grind three small points of contact.
Anyway, did you build the motor or you have it build by other? I put my oil pan on and forgot to install the pickup tube. The sealant had not dried before I realized it.

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67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir

Pull the coil wire and remove the sparkplugs. It should pick up oil in about 30 to 45 seconds. This is how I do my Race engine. Thanks Ron Parker










Bagel Aint Never Been To Talladega So What The Hell Does He Know

Well I thought about trying to just fire it off today but that is so contradictory to everything I know about this thing of ours. Wouldn't the oil in the filter pump out even if there were a pickup issue?
The pan is full, I know this, but I used an aftermarket pick up, that I have subtle anxieties about....
No plugs in yet, engine spins nice and fast. Over the whole day I suspect it might have turned 3 minutes probably less. I only hit the key for a few seconds at a time, but once I held it ( in my frustration) for 10 of 15 seconds. All the while thinking abouth the cam lube wiping off my lobes. Should I spin it longer?


I thought the same thing until I was nearing completion of the engine and thought what a shame to put it back without some paint. $50.00 for paint and hardener and 3 hrs. prep. Done.
No The Fit seems adequate but there are no provisions for the heater hoses...oh well, the plating isn't the greatest but for 60.00 with the cap, breather and grommets waddaya want.
No I built the motor Built many Gm V-8's but this thing has fought the whole way.

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225 .030
.020 off the block .100 from head
Comp 264
904 Tranny
New Ebre-ting

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j103/edrod01/

Which aftermarket pickup? My Clevlite unit has served well. As long as its positioned right, and they are clean without cracks...

I like Ron's idea, that would let you get it going quick especially if you have a ministarter. You can pour a bit of oil in each hole and over the lobes through the lifter holes if you wanted to.

I've read a bad experience about packing the pumps that way. Not sure if it was on a mopar or not, but in this particular case the pump refused to move any oil until it was removed and "unpacked".

Be careful with the dealer standpipes - I got one that was mis-assembled. Instead of acting as a check valve it would of stayed shut allowing no pressure. If your going to take the filter off, a few cranks without the filter on may be worthwhile as that will tell you if anything is even getting to the filter let alone past it.

It's a Melling Pickup.
With the stand pipe I can take off the filter and see oil in the tube when I press down in the center I can feel a little check valve that I can depress and the oil drains in. This sounds like it's operating correctly, right?

I turned the engine over for a second with the filter off, I had my thumb over the stand pipe and the was no pressure, neither a push or a pull.

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225 .030
.020 off the block .100 from head
Comp 264
904 Tranny
New Ebre-ting

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j103/edrod01/

If the pump is locked with air and vaseline, wouldn't putting a little warmth on the pump loosen it up and help get things going? I'm not talking blowtorch, but maybe a light bulb or hair dryer to get the vaseline into a liquid state.

I'm not really experienced enough to say if this is a good idea, so please don't try it without feedback from others. Just seems like a lot of work to remove the pump just to get the vaseline out.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

It's Alive!!!!!!!! I fired it off today and the pressure didn't come up immediately, so I shut it down after 2 seconds or so. I checked the oil line and noticed some oil and bubbles in the line which was good news. I fired it back up for another try and the pressure shot up to 50 psi. Ran it at 1700-2200 for 15 minutes or so, without a hitch. I suspect my Comp 264 should be broken in by now. I'll tinker with tuning over the weekend. Throttle response is nice and crisp for a 2 bbl. Sounds like it might have a little bump at idle.

This is my first slant I'm looking forward to finding out what the buzz is all about. I like it since it's alittle different than all the V-8's.

Thanks for all the help so far, I'm not sure I would have been able to talk myself into firing it off with no oil pressure if I hadn't heard it from the wealth of knowledge contained herein.

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225 .030
.020 off the block .100 from head
Comp 264
904 Tranny
New Ebre-ting

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j103/edrod01/

Welcome to the world of quick little cars!


......I think you did all the right procedures puzzling your way through that....

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....