Priming the rebuilt engine question

As long as the engine is assembled liberally with assembly lube and it is a fairly mild build with a mild to moderate flat tappet with relatively low spring pressure, it probably won't hurt a thing. I still like priming the oil pump though. If you think for one minute the factories primed engines going down the assembly lines back in the day, you gotta nuther thing comin. Ever seen the opening scene in Christine? That's exactly how it was done. Engine busted off, revved a few times, checked for leaks and then pulled out and parked in the lot.