I think I have an air lock or something with the pump on the 383. I had to put a truck pan and pickup on the Dart to clear the AlterKtion, and also wanted more capacity.

It has been about 18 months since the engine was fired. Prior had good oil pressure, no problems.

All I did was replace the pan, pickup, gaskets, etc. So I removed the plugs and just spun the engine on the starter, but no pressure. Starter was getting hot so I quit for now. I removed the electric sending unit and put a mechanical gauge (known good working one) in its place.

I am going to pull the filter and refill it with oil. If there are any creative ways to prime the pump, let me know. I am hoping removing the filter will do it.

I don't have a priming rod to chuck in the drill.

Thanks.

I would locate a 5/16" hex rod & drill prime it CCW. I like to smooth the hex where it goes thru the bushing area & wrap some tape around it CW. If no go as you said take off & fill the filter. Still no go pull the filter & put a bag over the filter mount & drill prime again. Still no go pull the pump & pour oil into the block passage going down to the pickup & retry. Not sure if you can add oil to the output passage but do it if you can

I was thinking about just pulling the filter and bagging it. Would prefer to not make a huge mess.

I'm not sure if I could direct oil back through in some way with the filter off or not.

Andy I have a primer rod if you want to use it let me know.I would just pull the distributor and drive gear then prime it with a drill.
Let me know and I can get it to you somehow
Gus

Pull the pump back off and pack it with Vaseline.
That will allow the pump to prime if you don't want to remove your distributor. Unless your pickup is cracked.
Even though a priming rod is the easiest in my opinion.

I really wouldn't fire it until you get oil back into and onto all the engine part.Cranking it for as long as you did has squished all the pre-lube off of the bearings, cam lobes, and rockers.
I was laying in bed thinking of your problem(it's a sickness that good mechanics have) that pickup for the truck pan is pretty long it may take a drill and primer to get the oil up to the pump.
You may also have a stuck bypass valve and you might want to take the cap and spring out of the pump to remove the valve plunger to see if it moves easily.
Give me a call or text if you need my primer rod 330-256-1881
Gus

Hey Gus. It isn't going to get fired until I get pressure. I have not cranked it that long. Maybe two minutes max at 15-20 second intervals. While that still might be a "long time" I just wanted to specify. This engine is basically stock, no high spring pressures, etc. but I don't like spinning it for a long time dry either. Removing plugs removes some pressure off the bearings at least.

I'll let you know. I need a few things at Summit, if I can get up there today I'll pick up a primer rod. No biggie on pulling the distributor.

Same feeling on the pickup, that truck/rear sump pickup is really long. Why I was thinking of ways to possible back fill the tube from the outside through the filter mount, etc.

I have a primer rod also. I may be a little closer than my buddy Gus who so graciously offered his
I'm right by I-77 and the Arlington exit if you want to stop by, I plan to be around all day

I made my own primer rod out of a piece of 3/8" All-thread.

Run a nut or two on the threads about an inch or so. Hammer the rod into the hex a little at a time. The threads will deform to fit the hole. Use the nut to jack the rod out of the hex.

When you have the rod fully down, lightly file the flats until the rod slides in and out of the hex with no or little resistance.

I am 137 miles from the nearest Home Depot and my local hardware store didn't have hex stock. This kluge worked for me.

R.

Guys,

I was thinking this through. This scenarios is no different than an oil change (pickup dry, oil filter, etc.). I knew I did the pickup and pan correctly, it had good oil pressure before, and should after.

I didn't have time to screw around yesterday. I had the distributor and intermediate shaft out going to run to Summit, and put everything back together. Put the plugs in, wires, etc.

I pulled the filter put a new one on filling with oil first. Engine fired and had pressure (50 lbs) within 1 second of running.

Sometimes I think this stuff gets over-analyzed.

Thanks for the help and ideas.

Glad it's all taken care of

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The priming shafts aren't hard to get...Unless I missed something I'm almost sure I pulled mine out of 225/6.

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No you did not. No shaft on slant 6 motors.

I can't really remember where it came from. Its about 12-14" long and is the exact same hex drive used by mopar.