rv8 oil pump

[project 112]

hi all
i,ve been told that before i start my rv8 engine for the first time after a small overhaul the oil pump will require priming. to do this it needs to be packed with vaseline. what i need to know is:- will i have to remove the pump from the engine if so how do i do this? will any bits and pieces fall out once its removed? do i need to prevent any vas entering the filter, how much vaseline do i pack in? and finally is there a nack to replacing the pump so that it goes back together as it should? sorry this seems a bit long winded and drawn out but i want to do this right, and avoid any major cock ups!!

[project 112]

forgot to add its a serp engine (if this makes any diffrence?)

[rev-erend]

The manual for the serp engine suggests :

1. Lubricate rotors, oil pump drive gear, cover plate and housing with engine oil.

Others here have also suggested filling filter and other oil openings (remove bolts above filter with oil) .. should not be too much of an issue as this pump is self priming - where as the oil style pump (pre serp) was not.

[stevieturbo]

If its a full serp and doesnt have the old crappy gears, then I'd think oil would be fine.

The older pumps can be a nightmare, even with vaseline.

[project 112]

its a 1996 TVR 4L so when you say "full serp without the crappy gears" i,am guessing this is what you mean? lol anyway filling up with oil sounds a lot easier than removing the pump etc thanks for the replies, much apreciated

[Simon says]

project 112 said:

forgot to add its a serp engine (if this makes any diffrence?)

It does just use engine oil

[Pumaracing]

Easiest way to do it is find the oilway that comes up from the pump to the oil filter. This will be the hole to the side of the central thread the filter screws onto on most engines. Pour oil into that with a plastic tube and a funnel and turn the engine over backwards on the crank pulley bolt. The pump should now suck the oil into itself and be fully primed.

[spend]

Pumaracing said:

Easiest way to do it is find the oilway that comes up from the pump to the oil filter. This will be the hole to the side of the central thread the filter screws onto on most engines. Pour oil into that with a plastic tube and a funnel and turn the engine over backwards on the crank pulley bolt. The pump should now suck the oil into itself and be fully primed.

Turning the car upside down is not very easy though sorry couldn't resist You need to make a plastic cover that blots on in place of the filter to do this, just drill out a hole for a pipe to feed the oil in.

I've tried all sorts of ways, and found the easiest by far is an air operated syphon to suck out of the oil pressure switch thread (IMHO), drill operated pumps can do a similar job (but they take much longer). I suppose it is arguable that the suction at that point will also pull any assembly / stale oil in the block galleries out, but a quick spin on the starter should prime the rest of the block if you are worried I would have thought.

[project 112]

thanks again for the info its all been very helpful