MGB High Flow Oil Pump
Don’t ever just install a new oil pump right out of the box. There are two easy methods of insuring the oil pump will create the seal needed to pull oil in on initial start up. The first method is to pack the oil pump full of Vaseline. Vaseline will create the seal needed for vacuum to draw in oil. The Vaseline will then be quickly dissolved into the oil. The second method is to use engine assembly lube and lube all the moving parts. The goal here is to sufficiently coat all moving parts so when the pump spins for the first time vacuum is created to draw the oil into the pump and then push it through the system.
'How to prime a new oil pump' have 6 comments
May 29, 2012 @ 6:01 am OleDoc
My MG-TD has been sitting for several years. I drained the oil and when cranked no oil was being drawn up from the sump. Removed the plugs to reduce compression, still no oil. Removed the oil pump cover, no signs of wear, filled with oil, still not drawing. While I don’t relish removing that pump cover again, I’ll pack it full of vaseline and try again before dropping the pan.
Thanks for the tip-
Doc
February 8, 2013 @ 9:42 am Bill
Are you suggesting opening the pump to lube the moving parts? I believe you are right about prelubing the pump and also the engine if this is the first start after a rebuild.
Could you submerge the pump in motor oil, turn the pump shaft with a drill motor, perhaps in reverse and wait for it to pump oil, then install the oil pump. Also on V-8’s I have installed before the distributor goes in attach an electric drill to the drive shaft of the pump and spin the pump in reverse until oil pressure shows on the oil pressure gauge and check that oil is flowing to the valve train.
Thank you,
Bill
February 9, 2013 @ 2:10 pm Dave
I have worked on MG’s since the early 1970’s. What I do is put some STP in the pump before I bolt it in. Before the first start, I remove the discharge line from the block and with a pump oil can, pump oil in the block until it’s full. With the spark plugs out I turn the engine over until the gauge shows pressure. It’s worked every time.
July 13, 2018 @ 12:21 pm Edward Carle
reinstalling the oil pump into 52 mgtd after replacing cam and lifters. Pump will drop down within a little less than a half inch of connecting to the block. gears are engaged with the cam gears and pump will turn easily with the engine turned over (by hand slow) but will not bottom out. I am reluctant to beat on the pump as my damage the new cam or pump gears or both. What should I expect as far a ease of reattaching the pump to the block/cam?
May 8, 2019 @ 1:02 pm Jacob
I’ve got a ford Fiesta 1997 model and the engine has been overhauled and I’ve got a new oil pump in but it doesn’t pump oil up into the engine. Ive filled up the oil filter with oil but still not pumping
July 3, 2023 @ 5:55 am Nigel Sellwood
I’ve got a Scimitar that has been draining its oil for a week with the sump plug undone and the filter removed. (I started doing an oil change but was then called away).
My plan is to fill the sump in the usual way, then insert oil into the pump/filter pipe from the filter end before fitting the filter. Then rotate the engine backwards to get this into the pump.