Priming Oil System on 302

[Andy FIA]

My Car has stood for quite a while and I think it might be a good idea to prime the oil system. A couple of questions before I pull the distributor are: what direction does the oil pump drive turn? Is it possible to lose the drive spindle into the oil pan on a small block? Is the oil pump drive spindle 1/4" at both ends or 5/16"?

Thanks

Andy FIA

[Mike Simard]

It turns counterclockwise. 5/16 hex. Yes, if you lifted the drive shaft as you withdraw the socket, it could fall into the pan. A little caution is all you need though. It wouldn't hurt to clean out the socket so that it can slide off easy.

[Bruce Edwards]

Why not just turn of the ignition system/ pull the coil wire/ and spin it till it shows pressure. It should not take long and you will not have to retime the engine or worry about getting it 180 out or worse yet dropping that little socket down inside the engine!

[trularin]

Bruce makes an excellent point.

Unless you are thrilled with the idea of pulling the distributor, setting the timing and running a drive down, into the engine, why not pull the coil wire and just turn it over for a minute.

Easier than the later.

Just my $0.02

[Andy FIA]

Thanks guys, I may just pull the coil wire, I suppose there is no load on the bearings until the engine fires.

Andy