I have a professionally built 383 that I installed in my 89 Iroc Ragtop 2 years ago and got busy with other things.
The motor has been covered and sealed up with tape (throttle body, distributor hole, etc) with the exception of the header outlets.
It has assembly lube on all parts during the installation and has never been started, nor has oil been added to the pan yet.
Is spinning the oil pump gear going to be enough to prime it before I start it or should I try to located one of those pressurized by compressed air oil systems to hook up to it before I fire it up for the first time?
Do you think I damaged anything by letting it sit?
I have over 10K into the motor and definately don't want to damage anything during the initial startup.
Thanks for any advice..
Tucker

 

An oil pump primer is a good idea. Better than just spinning the oil pump drive, and better than turning the engine over. Start with fresh oil & filter.

After you've done that: Remove all the spark plugs, squirt in a little oil, spin the engine over w/o the plugs. That's about all you can do at this point before you start it.

 

I've heard the OLD timers say they would put marvel mystery oil in each plug hole and turn it over by hand before starting an engine for the first time. I don't know weather that would harm the cat in any way or not.
Definately get an oil pump primer, as mentioned above.

 

Better watch that old timer sheet! How long has the motor been sitting? The marvel oil was used to help free any rings that may have stuck in the ring grooves after sitting for a long time. Prime the engine just like a new one! I bought a charger that had sit for 2 years once, and added a quart of Rislone and when I started it the lifters were tickin and making all kinds of noise and was running rough. I drove it home 50 mi. and it was purring like a 318 should.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Just want to be clear, this motor has never been started. Still has original assembly lube all over it. (I Hope there is any left where it needs to be)
Does anyone know where to RENT an oil primer system by chance?
Thanks!
Tuck

 

Buddy of mine had an engine sitting for a couple years with just assembly lube in it, the engine didn't last. All that lube went hard and he ended up doing the engine over again I'd check and make sure the lube isn't hard as a rock before turning it over.

 

An oil primer costs about $20-$25 from summit, never even looked into one for rent.

 

If you have an Autozone nearby,, rent one for free.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...ump_primer.jsp

 

is it on a stand or in the car? if its on a stand, after you have primed it, seal the holes in the valve covers & the distribtor hole & with oil in it flip it over on the stand so 1 of the heads is on the bottom & let it sit for a few minutes, then flip it back over to where it is up right & continue to flip it so the other head is on the bottom & let it sit for a few minutes that way. the reason for doing this is so oil can get to the wrist pins. i would give the crank about a turn with each head on the bottom.
a little marvel mystery oil in the cyliners won't hurt anything, i have always dumped a pint of it in the first full tank of gas on every motor i have done.

 

Really? $25 for a primer? I had no idea they were that cheap.
The motor is in the car, so I can't flip it over. Will do the mystery oil thing though.
I am fairly sure the lube hasn't hardened, when I test fitted my distributor, lube transferred onto my distributor shaft when i removed it. It still seemed fresh.
The motor has been sealed up and stored indoors in a climate controlled garage.
Thanks,
Tuck

 

I always take out all the spark plugs, unplug the distributor, then turn the motor over with the starter until it gets oil pressure. I also fill the oil with the valve covers off so I can splash it all over the valvetrain.

If any of this actually matters, I dont know but no motor has gone on me yet....