Two quick questions
1-standing in front of the (351M) engine, with distributor closest to you: which direct does the engine rotate normally? ClockWise or Counter ClockWise?
2-Is it possible/practical to get the oil pump going before I manually rotate the engine? Many years ago I've heard you could pull the distributor and attach a rod to a drill to engage the gear on the oil pump.

Is it worth it? Engine may be layed up until Spring.

 

best I can remember... it's clockwise... haven't done that in years..

find an old distributor or just buy a distributor shaft that matches... chuck it up in a cordless drill and drop it in till it connects fully with the oil pump... turn it with the drill till your oil pressure comes up and you're comfortable you've circulated to all areas...

and yes, I would do it now and before start up in the spring.. cover that distributor hole when you're done !

later
john

 

Summit and most speed shops sell a dummy shaft to drive the oil pump with the dizzy out. Cost about $15 and are hex on the drive end to chuck up to a drill. You'll need a 1/2" drill with gear reduction or you'll burn out the drill.

 

Great - thanks I'll check around for a dummy shaft.
Assuming clockwise as well for the distributor/oil pump.

wouldn't want to damage anything for so simple a reason as turning something the wrong way

At my age I don't have a problem asking (what may appear to be a nubbie) questions.

Clockwise on the rotation of the engine.

 

The distributor rotates counter-clockwise, so to prime the oil pump, (which is a very good idea) you need a heavy-duty reversible drill.

 

See that - it DOES pay to ask questions -
THANK you very much

 

I use a 3/8 speed handle and extension and 1/4" or 5/16" (depends on the engine size) deep socket. It doesn't take all that much to prime it.
Tape the socket and extension together to be sure the socket does not come off.
Turn the shaft counter clockwise.

 

see never listen to old people.... they remember wrong

john

 

Sorry to revive.

So you don't need a special tool? What are you turning with the socket?

how does the dist. connect to the oil pump, is it a gear, or is it the bottom of the shaft?

I don't want to have to buy something if I can make it at home,

 

What engine are you working on?

 

1956 223 I-6 Sorry, forgot to say.

I am not going to tear apart my only good distributor, and finding those things is hard as hell nowadays, much less for a good price.

In other words, I am really looking to part this tool together, or buy a special tool.

 

You could do this, but in my honest opinion you'd be better off not taking out the distributor or disturbing the shaft and clip, and just turning over the engine with the plugs out. It's going to be almost impossible to "pump" oil in between the pieces of metal if they don't have some type of motion to allow the oil to flow.

With no stress on the engine it can live for a couple rotations with the oil that is currently still between everything.

 

The distributor is out. It's been out wince the rebuild.....This will be the motors very first time running.

I am really paranoid about proper oil distribution for it's initial start.


I also really want to learn how to make one of these home-made tools for a 223. I have 3 of these engines....it's probably something worth learning.

However, if you think it'd be safe to simply turn the motor over without letting it start, than I will definitely consider that route also. You seem to be quite experienced.

Thank you very much.

P.S.--What at the bottom of one of these "tools" is actually the part that hooks up to the oil pump drive? What shape is it? I am really curious on how these contraptions work. I just don't want to "strip" anything.

 

Look at the bottom of your distributor shaft. The oil pump driveshaft will be a mirror image of that. I'm not familiar with those engines and their inner workings, so some of this you'll have to figure out by looking at what you have. But to prime the engine, you need something that looks like the bottom of your dist to engage the shaft and turn it. Your 6 cylinder needs to turn clockwise. Turn it until you get oil pressure and oil to the top end of the engine, coming out of the pushrods. But don't tear up a perfectly good distributor to do this.

 

Just wanted to make sure it wasn't the gear attached to the distributor.

Thank you, I'll see what I can't start parting together ASAP.

However, i may still do what Julie suggested.

Thank you, everyone.