I have a 1970 302 that I'm trying to get into the car. I had the oil pump with the distributor shaft and oil pan installed. I have the heads on and thought I was ready to stab the distributor and drop it in the car. I got my drill and tool to put on the shaft leading to the oil pump to prime the pump and get oil moving around inside the motor. I was under the assumption that by doing this I would be able to see motor oil on top of the heads. I ran my drill at full speed for over a minute and didn't see any oil at all. I stopped doing it because I was afraid that I didn't have the shift seated in the oil pump correctly and I didn't want to damage anything. I dropped the pan this morning and the shaft is sitting in the proper position in the pump. Am I doing something wrong and if not what could be the reason the oil is not being distributed? I have a brand new oil pump and screen and yes I did have oil in the motor.

 

Are you turning it the correct direction? The drill is going to need to be in reverse (CCW) to ensure proper pump operation.

 

Thanks Starfury, that is the info that I needed as I was not turning it the proper direction. The next question would be since I was turning it in the wrong direction for a while do you think I damaged the oil pump? I still have the pan off so I can change the pump easily if needed.

 

Nah, you should be fine