340 Oil Priming Question First Start

I could be wrong here but I thought that the OP already had the system primed but wasn't getting oil to the valve train. If that's the case then would it cause harm to the valve train by spinning it over with the starter. If I misunderstood, I apologize for giving the OP bad information.


Ok Dan, let’s see if I can get you to see this.

The VAST majority of the oil that lubes the camshaft comes from the oil thrown off the rods.

Now think about this Dan. When you are laying on the starter, trying to get oil to the top (or anywhere else for that matter) how much oil do you think is coming off the rods?

To that end, how long do you think it would take to kill a lobe that isn’t getting oil????????? And that’s talking about a FT lobe that’s already been broken in.

I get that you think the gauge had pressure so it’s good to go, but doing what you advocate will eventually **** someone.

And what happens if something is wrong and one or both heads aren’t getting oil??? Doing it your way (pressure on the gauge but nothing at the heads) means he could be missing another issue like an improperly installed cam bearing or some other issue. So he fires it up and the gauge says it’s good to go. Except in short order it starts killing adjusters and the rockers are grabbing the shaft because there is no oil there.

Like I said at the start, there is no reason to do what you advocate. You are going to screw someone if you aren’t careful.