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Triumph TR6 - priming the oil pump?

I replaced a piston and bearings in my TR. I checked the oil pump. Bla, bla, bla.... I cranked and cranked and then started the engine and can't get any oil pressure. I've run it about 15 seconds and don't want to run it any more than that without oil pressure. I glazed over a procedure to prime the oil pump but did not really read it and now I need to know. How can I prime the oil pump?
CAK Kirchhoff

KAK-The oil pump can be primed with a reversible drill motor&driver. The driver is a 1/2" dia.rod about 9.5" length with a slot about 3/16' wide and 1/4" deep. The opposite end will have to be turned to fit the drill motor if the chuck capacity is smaller than 1/2". Also, the slotted end may have to be reduced to about .495" to enter the bushing in the block.
Also, if you are using a spin on filter with adapter, the filter can be filled with oil, which reduces the time needed to get oil pressure.
Where are you located in Orygun? I am in Albany.
Berry Price
BTP Price

I'm in Eugene. I filled the filter. I tried to put oil in using the oil pressure sensor whole but I think I'll have to remove the oil filter and squirt oil up the oil intake hole to prime the pump. I assume I will have to remove the distributer drive gear and shaft?
CAK Kirchhoff

CAK-Yup, the dist.&drive has to be removed. I have never had a problem with the pump priming after rebuild, but some people recommend packing the pump with vasoline to hasten the pickup. You are welcome to use my driver, but the cost of gas or postage probably is more than it is worth. If you aren't able to make one, they might be available from NAPA. I am unlinking my email address if you want to contact me.
Berry
BTP Price

I used a long shoulder bolt from the local hardware store. I found one that had a nice fit in the distributor hole and by LONG shoulder I mean it had no threads for about 3 inches. I cut it to proper length by using the distributor as a length guide. I slotted the end to fit the oil pump shaft. I did all of that with a hack saw. I filed all the burrs off and installed it in the distributor hole with a large washer. I used a 1/4 inch socket and extension attached to my cordless reversable drill and spun it up. After a few seconds it was pumping oil. It took me a few minutes to make the bolt shaft. It's just another method you may find easier to make.

Henry

HP Henry Patterson

CAK-Another thought-Maybe the oil pressure gauge isn't working or the oil pump drive isn't engaged.
HP-It would probably be easier to make the driver out of a bolt. I have a lathe and am retired, so I have a tendency to make things more complicated than necessary.
Berry
BTP Price

When I replaced the orig. oil pump I packed the replacement with vasoline. Worked fine.
P Johnston

The tool I made to prime the oil pump was a 9/16 inch drill bit. Sells for a few dollars at most hardware stores, required a little "whittling" to fit the distributor drive. As mentioned above, run the drill in reverse.
Rod

Rod Nichols

This thread was discussed between 21/04/2008 and 05/05/2008

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