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706 Farmall

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Does an engine that is assembled with lube need to be oil primed before starting for the first time? Is the lube enough to cover the first start until pump is primed?
 
I've rebuilt plenty of auto & truck engines and you always need to prime (and verify the oil is moving cleanly through the various oil galleys). If you don't you risk scuffing hardware, or at the worst causing something to seize up. When you say lube, I hope you mean engine oil - grease is a sure fire way to cause problems

Art
 
The machine shop I had do my SH motor used a specific engine building lube and stated that it didn't need to be primed.
When I was growing up I was involved in multiple engine rebuilds and we used STP to lube everthing as it was assembled. No priming then. Didn't know to and never had any problems.
Having said all that I did prime the pump in my new SH motor before I fired it up. Can't hurt!
 
A good practice is to spin them over without the spark plugs or injectors until you are sure oil is pumped throughout the engine.
 
I always use Lubriplate assembly lube when putting a new engine together (rebuild). When ready to start it, I always turn it over with the starter for a min or less to get oil circulated through the journals, then start it. IF you have used an assembly lube so that the cylinders and journals aren't "dry", you should be fine.

I have never had a problem with that technique. FYI, anything like STP, Lubriplate, Napa Assembly Lube, Lucas, etc. that is tacky will work well as an assembly lube. The idea is to have the lube "stick" to the metal until the oil has circulated. It also needs to be such that it will "blend" with the oil when up to operating temp. I am a big fan of Lubriplate, as it was formulated and designed as an assembly lube. It has been on the market for years, and when I was "learning" about engines, was what I was taught to use. Haven't had one of my rebuilds "blow up" yet.

IMHO.
 
We used Lubriplate at work for years. Usually, these engines would be started within a day or two of building. We had some engines that we had to replace some parts that sat for just over a week. When we opened them up to replace some internal parts, the Lubriplate was like lard, it was stiff and drying out, plugging all the oil holes. After that, I will only use a liquid type assembly lube, like Lucas or something an aftermarket cam manufacturer recommends. STP is also something that will not set up or run off. And priming until I see oil pressure on the gage before firing it up is a must for me. Some of my engines have been known to turn over 12,000 RPM consistently and not one oiling issue to date.
 
i just rebuilt a cub engine, i poured oil in oil pump and coated all passages with a film of oil while building up engine, then like previously posted ,i turned the engine over with spark plugs removed. also removed accessable oil galley plugs and varafied oil flow through main gallies. also filled oil filter housing. oil pressure came up almost instally when i started to turn it over to start it for the first time. good luck, d.coleman
 
Cranking the engine with the starter to "prime" the oil pump is just as bad as trying to start the engine.

The point of priming the oil pump is to make sure oil is flowing to all the moving parts BEFORE actually moving them.

If you're cranking the engine with the starter you are defeating the purpose, and you may as well hook up the coil wire and see if it'll fire.
 
Free spinning with out spark plugs to get oil pressure works great. Far as doing damage, no heat from combustion, no pressure on bearings from combustion so no damage, plus low craking speed , no damage..
 
ALWAYS prime... I prefer to do it in a manner where the rotating assy and valve train are static such as just priming the oil pump... With the time and money invested I don't want to take chances on anything...

Most of what I put together makes a lot of torque and turns a lot of rpm... zero failures thus far (crossing my fingers).

A good assy lube is a necessity. It protects bearings, bushings, etc during assy while turning the engine over to assemble. Light film of oil applied by finger tip on the rings...

One of the worst things you can do is crank an engine excessively with only assy lube for protection. Especially if it doesn't fire right off...
 
Everyone has their own way. At work we assemble with an engine oil mix, and just start them. That said they don't usually sit after being assembled. We usually figure on getting about a million miles out of an engine. Sam
 
Wow. I am not going to point at any single post, but WOW. The difference of opinion here is significant.

this one might make it up into the league of spark plugs, oil, and 6 vs 12 volts.

One thing it looks like everyone agrees on. assembly lube. From my perspective, priming the oil pump is a good thing. If we go into how to prime the pump, then the opinions start to go in different directions. I turn the engine over with the starter as stated to prime the pump and get oil moving through the journels. this fills the crank oil galleries, and get oil through the block. Then I start it right away. Not looking for anyone to agree, just thought I would share what I do and that it works for me.

So, summary. Use assembly lube and prime your pump. Your milage may vary................. :roll:
 
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