<VV> Priming Lifters

[BobHelt at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/3/2011 10:46:29 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
32chevy at 0306.org writes:

Clark`s  says lifter companies now stress not to prime new lifters. I have 
always  primed new lifters with good results. What is the thinking out there 
on   " To Prime or Not to Prime " ?


John, of course you always want to prime lifters. If lifters are not  
already full of oil, then when the engine is started, the flow to the rocker box  
is delayed until the lifters get primed by the oil pump when the engine is  
started. That can cause wear and resultant problems with the valves and 
rockers.  The shop manuals are certainly correct about this. In addition, there 
is no way  of knowing just how much oil/fluid is in any new and unprimed 
lifter. They could  be completely dry from sitting around for several years. 
Who wants that?
 
And finally priming the oil system by running the oil pump with your  
electric drill before starting the engine will not fill the lifters since they  
require actual motion for this due to the way the metering valve operates.
 
Regards,
Bob Helt