318 Motor Priming Issue

jonn6464 said

Thank you for all the replies.

First off, I didn't build this engine. I bought it from another FABO member, who said it was a strong runner, no issues, etc. So I have no idea if the bearings were lined up with the oil port holes.

Second, how do I tell if the shaft is installed either upside down or the wrong way around? What am I looking for?

I will try cranking it with the breaker bar instead of the ignition.

Thanks again

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There will be small holes in the shaft that line up with each rocker arm. Those holes should be pointed down, not up. Those rocker arms you are using should have what are called banana grooves cut across those small holes to help distribute the oil. Also, the 5/16 holes that the hold down bolts go thru, the 2nd one from one end will be bigger on the bottom of the shaft than it will on top where the bolt goes in. That hole being larger allows the oil to flow up from the rocker shaft pedestal it flows thru and flow thru the shaft and oil the rockers thru the small holes and grooves.
If the oil squirts out of the pedestal while the rocker shaft is off, and the shaft was turned correctly, the rocker shaft may be stopped up with crud from an old motor. If it is, you can knock the plugs out of the end of the shaft and clean it out with a barrel brush and solvent. Hope this is a help and not more confusion!
Oh..... take the spark plugs out while you're turning it by hand. It will be a helluva lot easier!