At 11:20 PM 11/24/04 -0500, David Macedonia wrote:
>.... I'm ready to try to start my '66B for the first time ....
>
>.... how long should I have to crank the engine before the oil pressure
>comes up to specification?
About 40 seconds if it has an empty oill cooler, empty oil filter, and a
good oil pump.
>I've cranked in for about 10secs and saw no movement of the gauge needle.
Leave the spark plugs out and keep cranking. If it doesn't show pressure
by 60 seconds it probably never will. But don't expect the needle to move
bofore 30 seconds earliest.
>.... Is there a priming operation I should perform to help speed up the
>process?
For an oil pump in good condition, all it takes to be self priming is to
have the pump rotors wet with oil (or even mineral spirits). A new pump in
perfect condition might even self prime if it was perfectly dry.
A somewhat worn used oil pump may require oil on the rotors. A pump worm
enough to not self prime at cranking speed (with wet rotors) is junk.
I usually do what I can to fill the oil passages before first
cranking. For a not too difficult pre-filling and priming procedure, check
here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/of103.htm
>Also, I'm not all that sure that my oil pressure gauge works, so is there
>a way to check it?
Apply air pressure to the back of the gauge. Use the pressure regulator on
the air supply, and do not exceed the gauge scale maximum pressure.
>Or, is there another way of measuring oil pressure without it?
Oil pressure test gauge connected directly to the small hose port on the RR
corner of the engine.
Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude
http://MGAguru.conm
|