A couple easy questions for the chevelle God's. :D

1. How many full rotations will the balancer make after all 8 pistons fire? From TDC #1 back to TDC #1.

2. How will I know i've properly primed my engine before I begin the break in on my rebuild? Just rotate 90 degrees, prime, rotate 90 degrees, prime....etc until it registers oil pressure? Also how fast do I need to spin the pump during this?

Thanks in advance guys. smile.gif

well, first question, there are exactly 2 revolutions from tdc #1 to tdc #1 again, pistons fire in 90 degree intervals on the crank revolutions,

as for the second question, ive never actually primed a new engine, but ive heard to be turning over the engine while spinning the oil pump, do it until you see oil coming from the ends of the pushrods on the rockers, i think both sides...

hope it helps graemlins/beers.gif

1. Two.

2. As mentioned, when you see oil coming from the end of the pushrods/rockers, then you have oil all the way out to the end of the system. Sometimes that takes a while, and yes, rotating the engine while priming can help assure oil gets everywhere. Using an electric drill and a priming tool to spin the oil pump will be quite adequate. When an engine is running, then for sure, you want MAX pressure. But, just to prime the engine, all that you need to achieve is oil out to all moving parts which doesn't require a lot of pressure.

Ok thanks. So I need to rotate the engine while spinning the pump actually? Would it be ok to use the starter to rotate the engine while priming? This would be a lot easier, but the guy who built my engine said it's a bad idea. Any thoughts on this? How else can I rotate the engine? Just grab the balancer pulley and pull like a SOB? Thanks again guys.

how i prime: hook up an oil gauge prime with the drill ect. get full oil pressure stop. turn motor, half turn is fine prime again a few times is good, dont go crazy and do not use the starter o and buy the way to make life easy R no spark plugs this way you dont get a hernia...mike :cool:

lol understood. The spark plugs will be left out. Should it take a little while for the oil pressure to build?

Originally posted by 71chevy0192:
lol understood. The spark plugs will be left out. Should it take a little while for the oil pressure to build? If you're gonna use a primer tool, I'd say give it a couple of seconds, roughly 10-15secs, or until oil creeps up the rods. I'd be a hella easier if you have a buddy or two helping out. One can be using the drill and primer tool, the other can keep an eye on the oil pressure guage (I'd say hit anywhere between 30=60psi), and if you're lucky enough to have another buddy there, then maybe he'll lend a hand and turn the motor for you graemlins/thumbsup.gif ...Good luck, and leave the plugs out...like mentioned ealier...you don't want a hernia ;)

Sounds good. Luckily I think i'll be able to have someone give me a hand. Yeah, I tried turning the motor over before with sparkplugs in it.....*whew*.....not easy. lol :D Thanks again