"Pre-Lubing" Newly Rebuilt Engine

[Howard H]

I'm just about to reach the point of installing the 2.0 that I recently rebuilt. Even though I used assembly lube on all bearings, guides, etc., I would sure like to push motor oil up through all the galleries before I start cranking the engine.

If this were a small block Chevy, I could just fill the engine with oil and use a drill and distributor shaft to spin the oil pump until oil came out of all the rockers. With the 914 oil pump configuration, I can't see how that could be done.

I once heard someone mention that there were pressure lubers that could be filled with motor oil, pressurized with air, and connected to an oil port to force oil throughout the engine.

Does anyone know anything about these units, or of a better/different method .... or if I'm just too paranoid about cranking my new baby? Would sure appreciate any feedback that I can get.

Again, thanks to Tom and Wayne for providing this great forum for 914 discussion.

Howard Henneman

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[Dave at Pelican Parts]

What I've always heard is that you disconnect the coil (and presumably the fuel injectors or fuel pump as well) and use the starter to crank the motor. Crank until the oil light goes out.

If you didn't pack grease (Tom Wilson's book suggests Vaseline!) into the oil pump gears, it will not draw very well. Or at all. You may need to use a turkey baster to squirt oil up into the pickup tube in order to prime the pump. Then crank over the motor until the light goes out. Stop for a moment (let the starter rest a bit) and then crank it again, for about 30 seconds after the light is off.

That's the procedure that I've heard for rebuilt VW engines of all types.

--DD

[paulhagedorn]

To add to Dave's comments, I have heard that it is good to spray something like WD-40 or even squirt some oil into the cylinders through the spark plug hole. That way lubrication would be working on both sides of the piston. Once the engine is started, you will get blue smoke for a little bit, but it should go away after a minute or so...
Paul

[Howard H]

Thanks for the responses guys. (Dave -- I did pack the oil pump with Vaseline as Tom Wilson suggests.)

I think that I'll just follow your suggestions, and let 'er rip.

Howard