Posted By: mickm
good drill size to prime a big block - 09/26/12 09:49 PM
i have a small, old 3/8" drill, not enough to prime a big block.
any recommendations on size, amperage, etc... for drill that will handle this? time for a new one anyway, and priming a big block once in a while isn't the only thing i need it for!
Posted By: Twostick
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/26/12 09:59 PM
Can't imagine why a 3/8 wouldn't do the job unless it is just wore out. Good excuse to buy a good cordless tho
. Something 18v or better.
Kevin
Posted By: Dodgem
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/26/12 10:03 PM
I used to do it with a 3/8 had them smoking a few times lately been using a 1/2 drill it's just right! :-)
Posted By: dogdays
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/26/12 11:38 PM
Agreed. My only problem is there are many Milwaukee half-inch drills and I'd like to have one of each! One thing more, the 500 rpm version can snap your wrist if the bit catches. It's a two-hander!
R.
Posted By: bobs66440
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/26/12 11:57 PM
Definitely a 1/2" drill...and a GOOD one. I used my cheapo and it took a while to get the oil up...she started smoking pretty good. Be prepared...
Posted By: sthemi
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 12:03 AM
Milwaukee, 1/2 variable speed gear reduced..(like a Mopar starter).
It will prime it, for a long time... Dont forget to rotate the engine while priming to get both rockers/ heads lubed...
And ...hold on tight ! and run in reverse..
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 12:35 AM
Just happen to have both of my Milwaukee 1/2" drills in the same place, don't happen often.
Both drills easliy over 10 years old and the big one has honed many engines with a real sunnen hone which takes some big azz arms and a strong back.
Then the drill get's so hot you can't can't hold it no more with heavy leather gloves on, many times and it still works like new.
Posted By: Exit1965
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 01:08 AM
I've done it several times with a Ryobi 18v cordless. I don't see why a 3/8" wouldn't do it unless it's a real wimp.
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 03:38 AM
With it dot to dot (6/12 o'clock) #6 is on compression/with the timing marks at TDC I believe the pass head oils then back up 3/4 turn (270 deg) till #8 is firing (rotor under #8 cap terminal) & see if the dr head is oiling. Easier on you (& the drill) & wipes less goop off of the cam lobes
Posted By: AndyF
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 03:41 AM
No need for a drill, just use a speed wrench and turn it by hand. You only need to spin the wrench a few times to build up the oil pressure.
Posted By: Cab_Burge
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 04:23 AM
I use 5W20WT oil, it primes a lot easier than the heavier oils use to
I agree on the 1/2 reversable
Posted By: therocks
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 12:06 PM
I use an old and I mean old Craftsman 1/2 that I got at a yard sale for 3 bucks probally 20 years ago.I tried 3/8s but they never had enough umph when the pressue built.I like to see a lot of oil flowing when I prime.Rocky
Posted By: Von
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 05:07 PM
My dad had a couple of the aformentioned big 1/2 inch craftsman drills. It primed quite a few motors years back before finally passing.
I smoked my Dewalt 1/2 after priming 2 440s. Still works fine, but the batteries are toast.
Smoked my 1/2 Skil the other day on a sbc motor. The Skil doesnt have much umphh...
Posted By: 446acuda
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 08:26 PM
Try it and you will see that it doesn't take much effort to do it by hand with a speed handle..even with cold 20W-50 oil.
Posted By: mickm
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 10:14 PM
wow, this has been an eye opener!
my 3/8" drill is old, and while i may give it a try, i'm going to bail as soon as it shows any signs of not liking it. it's a perfect little drill for 90% of what i need to do, so i don't need to ruin it or send it on it's way to ruination just to prime one engine.
i'm also going to give it a shot by hand and see how that goes. from the sounds of it, i won't need the 1/2", although as posted earlier, hard to get through life without a good 1/2"
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/27/12 11:38 PM
If you can would you note (& post) the 2 points where it oils
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/28/12 05:03 AM
In that case yes you'll have full time oiling
Posted By: mickm
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/28/12 06:55 AM
may need to start another thread, but here goes.
only had 3 qts of oil, but wanted to check out priming it by hand or with the 3/8". tried for a while by hand, (yes, counter-clockwise), and didn't get anything. tried the 3/8", and it grabbed pretty quickly, but then let off and was turning fairly easily. i could hear what sounded like air being sucked up into the pickup. even though the filter was not primed, i still thought that 3 qts would be enough.
so i put a 4th qt in, and that seemed to do it. now the drill is turning pretty slow, it's an old drill, and not much torque there. the engine was at TDC on the #1 cylinder, and i started to get a good amount of oil at the passenger side exhaust rockers, but that's it. i moved the crank around a bit to where it thought it might line up the hole for the driver side, but didn't get anything there at all.
so what now? try with a stronger drill? i would definitely like to see oil on the other side before i button this thing up. i know the passages in the block and head are clear, i spent a lot of time with brushes cleaning everything out when i did the block.
is it just because i don't have enough power on the drill? i was thinking that even though the cam is grooved, if the hole was lined up for the pass side, that might have filled that side up, path of least resistance. now that it's full, it doesn't take much to push what's there out.
anyway, any suggestions on making sure i have oil on the other side?
Posted By: bigblockbryan
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/28/12 09:24 AM
i use a bosch 36 volt drill some people abuse power tools i once saw a guy take off 1/4 inch bolts of a ford truck with a 1/2 inch drive impact guess what it snapped off
Posted By: buildanother
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/28/12 02:04 PM
I would get/borrow a newer drill with adequate power, add the 5th quart and try it. I myself have never seen the need for the groove on the cam, but it should flow on top, both sides like crazy.
Posted By: mickm
Re: good drill size to prime a big block - 09/30/12 10:48 PM
ok, got it. had someone turning it over while priming, and the other side oiled as well!
It takes less than a minute to prime with a speed handle.