Priming before starting up after 6 months

[FrazerJames]

Hi all!

I searched and found a few posts talking about priming the oil pump under the distributor, but what I’m really interested in is - do I really need to?

My project to upgrade to EFI is almost done... Like sometime in the next week “almost done.” But it’s taken way longer than I originally planned. So, before I crank her up the first time with fuel injection, should I be concerned about lubrication?

Do I need to pull the distributor or can I just crank the engine with a wrench? Or both? Or none?

[Gary Lewis]

If it was mine I'd pull the distributor and prime it.  That way you know for sure that it is lubed.  And I'd spray a quick squirt of something like WD40 into each cylinder to give some lube to the cylinder walls.

But those are just precautions, not requirements.  However, cranking the engine with a wrench won't spin the oil pump fast enough to do anything.

[FrazerJames]

Thanks Gary! If I pull the distributor, will I need to retime it or anything?

[Gary Lewis]

If you mark where the distributor hits the block now and get it right back down there w/o turning the engine you'll be back in time.

[ArdWrknTrk]

You can disable the ignition coil and crank the engine until it shows something on the gauge.
That would be the same as turning the engine over with a socket and 1/2" ratchet.... But much more effective.

There's definitely no downside to priming an engine, but it is likely to build pressure before it fires, after half a year.
Just make sure your battery is in good shape, and have a starter/booster if needed.

[FrazerJames]

Thanks, guys.

Really looking forward to finally have this thing go more than a block from my house.

[Rembrant]

I started my 300 six after six years of sitting (if not longer) and I didn't prime it. I did however lube the cylinder walls several times, starting first with Kroil, and then later Fluid Film. I had turned it over by hand many times over a few months before finally trying to start it. Always better to prime it I'm sure, although I wouldn't worry about 6 months too much.

[FuzzFace2]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

You can disable the ignition coil and crank the engine until it shows something on the gauge.
That would be the same as turning the engine over with a socket and 1/2" ratchet.... But much more effective.

There's definitely no downside to priming an engine, but it is likely to build pressure before it fires, after half a year.
Just make sure your battery is in good shape, and have a starter/booster if needed.

That what I would do, pull coil wire and use starter to build oil psi.
With EFI it may want to light off with a tap of the key and why pulling the coil wire would be what I would do.
Dave ----