24 replies to this topic

[gtrboyy]

Got a mock up 304/4l60e that has not run in 15 maybe 20 years tempted to try to get it started but first want to get oil pressure guessing it's drained dry by now lol.

Would like to prime engine & turn it over buy hand to see if it will get oil pressure.

Wondering if pressurised weed sprayer down oil sender will do the trick or if remote filter base is better way to do do pump oil through one of the adaptor lines?

Searching around found this nifty clip where someone reverse oil pump drive gear opposite way outside flat plate so it could be spun with a drill.

What other diy tricks for oil pressure been done on non running 304/308?

Keen to see if can get a neglected efi 304 running again.

[warrenm]

The weed sprayer will work.

[LJ RB30]

Yep anyway to externally pressurise the oiling system, weed sprayer, pressure  tank etc is what i do.  

[76lxhatch]

Oil may be a little thick for the weed sprayer? Easiest way is to remove the filter and pump oil into the centre tube - one of those syringe-style hand pumps works well, just run some tape around the end of the hose if it doesn't somewhat-seal into the tube.

[dron]

Any hand pump with a barbed fitting screwed in the oil sender hole and a hose attached will work. 3/8 hose on the barb with the end of the hose conected a normal 20L drum pump or even a smaller barb with a tom thumb pump will work.

 

Remove the plugs add a little oil to the cylinders and crank it to see if it will get pressour may be another way to go.

Edited by dron, 15 May 2025 - 05:47 PM.

[gtrboyy]

Engine turns over by hand easily enough as checked it once or twice year.

Was thinking would need remote adaptor then plumb one line to electri scavenge pump & turn engine over by hand see what oil pressure gauge does.

Parts supplier told me no remote filter adaptors for 308 available.

Always thought oil down sender hole & grease in pump was for air or vapour lock in between oil pickup & oil pump.

[4dabush]

How about connecting an external oil pressure gauge, dropping the spark plugs out and cranking it to see if it gets pressure?

Total Tools do an external kit for about $40  which looks identical to surecheap/auto barns ones at about $100.

 

i had an unknown, not run for couple of years motor. Dropped the oil and water, put about 20ml of diesel in each spark hole turned it over. Daily for a week, cranked and oil pressure came straight up. Fresh fuel, kicked it in the guts and ran sweet. Smoked for about a minute, figured the was the diesel being burnt off. 
 

[gtrboyy]

If can get it to work on something not run in 15 years then can do same on other engines I have that will end up in storage while garage gets knock down rebuild.

Have mechanical guage, good battery & waiting for new starter to arrive.

Ordinarily would just grease oil pump & put oil down sender hole then crank it but this thing is a test pig for better engines to come after it hence wanting to rig up oil priming system.

[76lxhatch]

How about connecting an external oil pressure gauge, dropping the spark plugs out and cranking it to see if it gets pressure?
 

Not on a Holden V8, it won't draw oil if the pump isn't primed.

 

Actually pushing oil into the engine is a better idea anyway, not only primes the pump but also avoids any dry running. Vasolene on the pump gears will help pick up oil from the sump but the engine is still dry.
 

[dron]

The oil sender is in the oil pump outlet so if you pump the oil in there you fill the main oil gallery and lubricate the engine, A little grease or as I use heavy oil (Nerver liked grease in my engine) Will get the pump to prime and all should be good. I would still crank it with the plugs out to get pressour on the gauge or put out the oil light befor starting. No different to what I do when building a holden V8 and preping for 1st start.

[Shiney005]

https://www.gmh-tora...y-tools/page-4          Post number 99.

[greenhj]

I primed an LS with a garden sprayer full of 10-40 to the plug behind alternator and it worked ok, didn't get much to the rockers but the main galleries and pump were all I was concerned about, once it pissed out of the oil pressure sender up top I figured it was good to go.

 

The same would do for a holden but I've also used the shop vac hooked to the pressure port on the pump with a coffee jar plumbed inline, when it starts dripping into the jar its good.

 

Its hard to get pressure on the gauge just by bumping the starter without plugs in it, at least it never worked for me (gear reduction starter might be the culprit here)

 

More important with a dry engine to get it started as quickly as possible I think but for the sake of a gasket I would pull the intake and flood the valley to get the cam nice and wet, then reassemble and prime it.

Edited by greenhj, 20 May 2025 - 10:40 AM.

[rexy]

The last time I had to do this was on an engine that had sat around for a few years. Had to change sump and pickup to suit new home but otherwise as last ran.

 

Plugs out, cranked it and made oil pressure after about 30 seconds. Still going strong years later.

[gtrboyy]

Bought oil filter adaptor plan is to either pressurise weed sprayer or ideally electric oil pump that will pump oil through motor as turn it by hand.

Marine or diesel pump should do trick just damn expensive have emailed couple companies to see what is suitable.

Have mechanical oil gauge & spare v8 oil pump to rig up on a bench.

Idea mentioned above really liked reversing oil pump drive out body after cut filter housing off would work awesomely BUT drill won't clear swaybar or rail on early commodore

[greenhj]

Which oil filter adapter did you get?

[gtrboyy]

Cheap aerofail universal oil filter adaptor got for discount apparently suits the 72mm base required for holden v8 oil pump.

Want something easy to setup & use between different cars or engine stands.

Hoping can get electric pump with some grunt then make high pressure lines to adaptor so can pump oil through motor without it running...no idea if will actually work lol

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Edited by gtrboyy, 21 May 2025 - 08:37 PM.

[gtrboyy]

I'll give this 3 litres per minute thing a go from jaycar discount sale...not sure if it will have enough grunt.

If not bunnings weed sprayer with tyre valve next experiment.

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[rodomo]

I'll give this 3 litres per minute thing a go from jaycar discount sale...not sure if it will have enough grunt.

If not bunnings weed sprayer with tyre valve next experiment.

That should work. Just got to get the oil pump gears wet.

[gtrboyy]

Universal aerofail brand.

Doesn't need adaptor as holden v8 takes small base filter 72mm iirc.

Don't think I'd run a car with it lots of sharp edges & right angled passageways.

Got to buy cheap caltex 20/50 or something then will try to pump that through engine...drained it those arvo it smelt like old house paint also looked like gelatin.

Took sump bolt off nothing came out even when put finger in...put air blower in dipstick then it shot 3 or 4 litres into drain pan lol

[gtrboyy]

Another piece of the puzzle got fittings from Pirtek to attach hose.

Ctek charger can use on electric pumping if old car battery not up to snuff.

Also got weed sprayer with tyre valve fitted as a back up if electric pump experiment fails...just need to find free time & good weather to get in garage to have a go at it.

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[Shiney005]

I would be surprised if that charger will run an electric motor.

[RallyRed]

That pump seems to draw 5amps.
The battery charger looks good for 10amps.
Should be ok I'm thinking.
Only issue with some of these fancy chargers is that they wont output anything, until they detect a battery. ie 3volts or whatever.
Citek seems to have a " Supply Mode" you can select to force it to supply current.
2 cents

Edited by RallyRed, 06 June 2025 - 12:56 PM.

[gtrboyy]

Ctek claim that model charger has multiple function s also capable to run electrical items.

No idea if it will actually do tbh.

Got couple old batteries will try to charge up first if they're dead can use charger as back up.

[RallyRed]

Should be Ok..I think

[yel327]

If it doesn't work stick it on a motorbike, lawnmower or car battery and hang the pump off it. Its a charger not a power supply, but as Col says it might work. Ideally you want an old CB radio 12V dc power supply for this sort of thing. Or a variable voltage lab power supply.