Thread: One heck of a clatter from the V8

Originally Posted by Carslil Jim

I read a little of the manual and it says a worn pump can loose its prime. As I let it drain for a couple of days when I changed the oil do you think that could be the problem? Any other ideas?

Does the warning light go out at all?
They can need repriming after as little as an hour if both the sump & filter are empty.

Originally Posted by Carslil Jim

As I let it drain for a couple of days when I changed the oil do you think that could be the problem?

If it was fine before the oil change and since the oil light isn't going out, I would think that would be your problem.

Extended draining time may have left the oil pump dry, poor engine is getting no oil.

Search for "priming oil pump" there are quite a few posts on it.

But I'm not a mechanic - so it could be something else!

Couple of days un-oiled...

I'd say out of prime and/or stuck relief valve.

Thanks guys. I will haul the pump out and take a look at it.

Just take the bottom plate off & pack it with Vaseline. That usually does the trick.

Make sure the drive gear doesn't fall out as this needs to line up with the distributor.

I'll back lost prime over a stuck open relief valve.

depending how comfy you are with doing spark timing pulling the dizzy out and using a drill to spin up the pump drive boss is the easy way.

Black Knight I usually stuff the timing up, but I am always ready to have a go. That sounds like a good idea because we eill get oil back up into the tappet area without turning the motor. I will already be primed before I start again.

Thanks for the tip.

I had another look at problem. I think I should pull the oil pump and check it out while I have it out. One question: If I pull the oil pump out, there is valve behind it. I assume it will stay in place, and all I need do is fill the area around the oil pump teeth with vaseline and re-assemble. Is that correct?