"History: I purchased a 1989 S
"History: I purchased a 1989 Slickcraft as a project boat. It had been sitting for almost 3 years with the engine out and dissembled due to a dropped valve. All of the engine part where suppose to be in the boxes that came with the boat. (No Way). Rather then deal with the original engine I purchased a long block 350 marine engine from S&S Rebuilt Engines. After dealing with all the missing and wrong parts the engine is finally assembled and in the boat. Following the advice of this group I borrowed an Oil Pump Priming Tool from Auto Zone. Using the tool, following the provided instruction, I have not been able to get oil pressure. At this point I am not sure if I have a major problem or if I am not using the tool properly.
Using the tool: I marked and removed the distributor. Then inserted and clamped the priming tool into the distributor port. I attached a variable speed electric drill motor and attempted to pump oil. I ran the drill for approx. 3 minutes with no oil flow.
Trouble Shooting: I removed the drill and unclamped the tool. Then removed the top plate from the tool and found that I could insert the tool deeper in the distributor port but at a slight angle. I tried to pump oil in this position but no oil flow. With the help of a bright flash light I could see the slotted end of the oil pump shaft at the bottom of the distributor port.
Observations: The sleeve above the oil pump slotted shaft looks smaller then the diameter of the diameter of the priming tool. I do not know if the priming tool is engaging the slot of the oil pump shaft. Also, I don’t know why the priming tool wants to seat at an angle. To complicate and confuse me more the base diameter of the Thunderbolt IV distributor is much larger then the sleeve above the oil pump slotted shaft and could never engage the slot.
Questions: Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? (Other then being over me head in this project). Do I have a major problem? Am I using the priming tool wrong? Is there another way to prime the new engine for it 1st startup? Does the Thunderbolt IV distributor require a special oil pump?
As always, any help would be appreciated.
OVER MY HEAD AND GETTING FRUSTRATED.
Bob"
"History: I purchased a 1989 Slickcraft as a project boat. It had been sitting for almost 3 years with the engine out and dissembled due to a dropped valve. All of the engine part where suppose to be in the boxes that came with the boat. (No Way). Rather then deal with the original engine I purchased a long block 350 marine engine from S&S Rebuilt Engines. After dealing with all the missing and wrong parts the engine is finally assembled and in the boat. Following the advice of this group I borrowed an Oil Pump Priming Tool from Auto Zone. Using the tool, following the provided instruction, I have not been able to get oil pressure. At this point I am not sure if I have a major problem or if I am not using the tool properly.
Using the tool: I marked and removed the distributor. Then inserted and clamped the priming tool into the distributor port. I attached a variable speed electric drill motor and attempted to pump oil. I ran the drill for approx. 3 minutes with no oil flow.
Trouble Shooting: I removed the drill and unclamped the tool. Then removed the top plate from the tool and found that I could insert the tool deeper in the distributor port but at a slight angle. I tried to pump oil in this position but no oil flow. With the help of a bright flash light I could see the slotted end of the oil pump shaft at the bottom of the distributor port.
Observations: The sleeve above the oil pump slotted shaft looks smaller then the diameter of the diameter of the priming tool. I do not know if the priming tool is engaging the slot of the oil pump shaft. Also, I don’t know why the priming tool wants to seat at an angle. To complicate and confuse me more the base diameter of the Thunderbolt IV distributor is much larger then the sleeve above the oil pump slotted shaft and could never engage the slot.
Questions: Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? (Other then being over me head in this project). Do I have a major problem? Am I using the priming tool wrong? Is there another way to prime the new engine for it 1st startup? Does the Thunderbolt IV distributor require a special oil pump?
As always, any help would be appreciated.
OVER MY HEAD AND GETTING FRUSTRATED.
Bob"