Driving oil pump through distributor

[Celeb92]

I would like to drive the oil pump in a 5.0 sbc before starting it after several years of layover. I have a discard distributor from a 5.7 sbc. I don't have immediate access to the boat so I can't check this out myself but I would like to get everything I need organized before I have the opportunity to get to the boat. So...after I strip the unnecessary parts out of the 5.7 distributor, can I use it to drive the 5.0 oil pump? Direction of rotation? Any other thoughts? Thanks for the help.

 

[Don S]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

after I strip the unnecessary parts out of the 5.7 distributor, can I use it to drive the 5.0 oil pump?

Yes, and No.
You can get all the parts out, but you still have to find a way to attach a drill to it.
I cut the top off a distributor and ground the shaft down to fit my drill. (hacksaw and a bench grinder) Wobbles a little, but has worked great for many an engine for many a year.
You also have to remove the teath off the gear so it doesn't ever come in contact with the cam gear.
Then you have to make sure there are absolutely no grindings or shavings on what is left before you ever stick it down in the engine.

Or you could go to the auto parts store and get one that will do the job for about 10 bucks.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

AUTOZONE has the tool in their loaner program.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

It needs to be spun clockwise normally, the same as your firing order on the Dist. cap (unless it's an odd reverse rotation motor) again confirm this with your Dist cap firing order. I used to use the shank from a big old screwdriver, in a powerful 1/2" Drill.

 

[supercab78]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

You can grind the teeth off the old dist. gear so it doesn't engage the camshaft, then cut off the top part that the counter weights are on. If I remember correctly a 7/8 socket fits over the point cam lobes? Or did I just us a 1/2 drill on the shaft above the lobes? Can't remember details and I'm not at home to look at it, but I've done it several times.

 

[John_S]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

I had just used some long threaded rod I had laying around. Flatened the end with a hammer to get it close to fit the slot. A little grinding clean-up, and was done. You will have to hold it centered in the intake manifold hole vs the self-centering of a modified distributer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Ayuh,.....

The Problem encountered when using just a Screwdriver or straight Rod to turn the oil pump is,.....
Without the distributer's Body,... The Cam Galley never gets filled with oil......
It's the Body of the Distribtuter that closes the Cam Galley off from the rest of the motor......

Either get the $10. Tool,... Or build 1 from a junk distributer.....

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

How about just fogging the @#$@# out of the cylinders, leaving the plugs pulled and cranking it via the starter. Should quickly generate oil pressure and the cylinder walls will be OK, probably not as good as forcing lube into the bearings though.

Another idea would be to push oil in at the oil filter... Dunno how to do that on a V8, but I've seen guys use it to prime the oil system of I-4 motors.
Attach a quart of oil via a hose to the correct part of the filter area, apply air pressure to the quart (4psi or so).

 

[Don S]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

The problem with cranking with the starter, even without the plugs in, is you are spinning the crankshaft on dry bearings. That is why the distributor tool. It's quick and easy, and primes the system.

Another idea would be to push oil in at the oil filter... Dunno how to do that on a V8,

That would take a lot more equipment and work than spinning an oil pump with a $10 tool.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Not to high jack, but what about a Ford?.....
I know it is a different size......​

 

[96lt4c4]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

I would like to drive the oil pump in a 5.0 sbc before starting it after several years of layover. I have a discard distributor from a 5.7 sbc. I don't have immediate access to the boat so I can't check this out myself but I would like to get everything I need organized before I have the opportunity to get to the boat. So...after I strip the unnecessary parts out of the 5.7 distributor, can I use it to drive the 5.0 oil pump? Direction of rotation? Any other thoughts? Thanks for the help.

I took an old SBC distributor and ground off the cam gear. Then I cut the top off leaving enough of the middle rod exposed to get a drill on it. Works perfect.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Not to high jack, but what about a Ford?.....
I know it is a different size......​

Ayuh,......

You can do the same thing with a junk distributer,.....

Other than the size,+ shape of the body,.... The drive is with a Hex, rather than a flat blade drive....

 

[Coors]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Ayuh,.....

The Problem encountered when using just a Screwdriver or straight Rod to turn the oil pump is,.....
Without the distributer's Body,... The Cam Galley never gets filled with oil......
It's the Body of the Distribtuter that closes the Cam Galley off from the rest of the motor......

Either get the $10. Tool,... Or build 1 from a junk distributer.....

Haven' we seen a lot of pics in here lately, with those junk distributors install in a marine engine?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Buy the tool. You might want to do this every spring after winter lay-up (if that's what they do in your area). Pull the distributer, put the tool in a drill and spin clockwise for standard rotation. This doesn't move and of the engine components except the oil pump. Cheap, simple, no grinding or backyard engineering. The right tool for the right job.

 

[flashback]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Just take a piece of 3/8 rod about 18" long and grind a flat on it,....

 

[MikDee]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Ayuh,.....

The Problem encountered when using just a Screwdriver or straight Rod to turn the oil pump is,.....
Without the distributer's Body,... The Cam Galley never gets filled with oil......
It's the Body of the Distribtuter that closes the Cam Galley off from the rest of the motor......

Either get the $10. Tool,... Or build 1 from a junk distributer.....

Bond-o, Just curious to know what you mean by this? Once your oil pump shaft is spinning, theoretically your pumping oil through all your oil galleries, right? including the cam gallery, No? Does it make a difference if the Dist. hole is open?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Bondo's right. Even the tool you buy or rent has the bushing in the middle to close off the gallery.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

the point we all trying to make is that without a dist body ,the oil from the pump goes nowhere but out the hole and back to the pan. With the body installed the oil is diverted THRU the oil gallerys and passages that make up the motor.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

Ayuh,.........

Without the Distributer Body,........

The Mains,... Might possibly be the Only thing that sees any oil at all..........


Btw,......

No need to be Grinding the Gear off,..... Just knock the Pin out,+ it'll damn near Fall off.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Driving oil pump through distributor

No need to be Grinding the Gear off,..... Just knock the Pin out,+ it'll damn near Fall off.......

Funniy you should mention that, opened the drawer on the tool box this morning and seen MY priming tool. No gear at all. I just removed it also.
You have to do that to get the shaft out anyway to do the rest of the grinding and cutting.
I have an old Prestolite distributor with dead weights I may have to make into one and do some pictures and show how to do one.

PS: It doesn't have to be a marine distributor for this guys, any ole automotive distributor will work