Pre-oiling and engine position

[69427]

I've always been curious about this. When pre-oiling an engine (with a drill and modified distributor), what's the impact of the position of the cam/crank? I seem to recall a few of the rocker arms not getting oiled due to the lifter positions. Is this the only area that's affected by the actual positioning of the cam/crank?

 

[MYBAD79]

When I pre-oiled my engine I had to rotate the cam/crank to get oil to all rockers. You can get the tool from AutoZone, loaner, no charge.....

 

[TimAT]

Looking at the crank, the oil passages don't all line up with the pressure feed all the time. Rotating the crank makes sure all the passages get filled. As MYBAD said, the lifters do pass oil, but they need to be in different positions in their bores to get oil up top. And pre-oiling also fills all the passages in the block, the filter, and anythng in the system.

The only thing I think of when pre-oiling is that I'm also washing out the assembly lube that I very carefully covered everything with. But it's getting replaced with oil, so I guess that's good.

 

[69427]

Thanks for the replies, guys. This engine is not a new build (it's got about 5000 miles on it), but it's been unrun the past couple years while I've been changing the frame and suspension. I have just been spinning the oiler every now and then to try to keep some oil film on the internal parts, and also hand rotating the engine to allow the valve springs to change heights.
I'll be replacing this engine this spring when I get around to assembling the ZL1. Right now I'm getting impatient and am going to run the current engine for a few more months to debug the new suspension.

 

[TimAT]

You could send ME that ZL-1. I'll assemble it for you and give it a good break-in..

 

[69427]

You could send ME that ZL-1. I'll assemble it for you and give it a good break-in..

I probably couldn't afford your shop rate. :amused: