Up in the air on oil pump prime

[amceaglesx4]

So on the new oil pump prime aspect its too late to pack it with grease , can't find the prime tool anywhere by me and not sure what to do ? I ground down a spade bit to mimic the distributor shaft to prime with a drill but don't you need the whole distributor hole blocked to build pressure ?

[SilverXJ]

Don't need any of the distributor installed as it isn't a Chevy. Just stick the screw driver in the hole and run the drill.

[Russ Pottenger]

Like Chris said just drive the oil pump on a drill motor.
A Chevy has a oil galley that passes through the distributor housing bore in the block. 4.0 Jeeps don't have that problem.

You obviously don't want to put the oil pump in dry. Engine oil works but can be a bit messy.
I use redline synthetic assembly lube. You could use something similar but don't use grease.

[amceaglesx4]

I'm literally at the point to turn the key right now lol. I turned an old 3/4 spade bit into a perfect fitting drill/ priming tool. I've heard pressure can turn a drill to smoke. My worries is breaking it and falling in the engine. Granted its about a 1/8 " flat head screwdriver but still. This is stressful and excitement as well though. Besides the small block build I've done it all by myself. Total removal and installation.

[amceaglesx4]

For what its worth all the bearings have assembly lube as well as the cam I lubbed up. The lifters went in wet too. They have been sitting in a fresh oil container over a month now. Right now I just have the battery on charge.

[woodjeep]

If u cant possibly wait a long screwdriver in the slot will work but I think you still need to turn with a drill. I bought a distributor on ebay for under 10 bucks and removed the camshaft gear...then I installed the distributor and ran it with a drill for a while, cranking the block over You should at least prime untill you see oil in every rocker arm pivot