new race car, no oil pressure
I'm not very well versed on this kind of thing, But I'll take a shot.
Years ago, a 383 I had lost oil pressure. After chasing my tail for a while, I found that a piece of debris got stuck in the oil pressure relief valve piston. I don't remember how it works, but basically, it couldn't make pressure with the piston in the position it got stuck in.
I would think you would still feel the oil hit the pump gears when you prime it ifit were stuck.
Good luck.