The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding engine oil system
priming on Ford engines. This information should be referenced any time a new, or remanufactured
engine, is installed. Reports of premature engine failure suggest some overhauled,
new and/or remanufactured oil systems are not correctly primed prior to initial
engine start-up, after being installed in the vehicle. This may cause oil starvation during
initial engine start-up.
Prior to starting a new, overhauled or remanufactured engine, the oil pump and oil system
should be primed to eliminate the possibility of oil starvation at start-up. Refer to the following
Ford Service Information for details.
Overhead Cam Engines (OHC):
Ford overhead cam engines use a GH-rotor pump design that is driven by the crankshaft. If the engine is overhauled,
the oil pump (prior to assembly) should be fed oil through the oil pick-up passage, prior to installing the
pick-up tube and screen assembly. This can usually be accomplished by rotating the oil pump while oil is being fed
into the oil pump inlet. Once the oil pump is primed, it can then be installed onto the engine. Remanufactured
engines are usually cold tested before leaving the plant. As a result, the oil pump should not have to be removed
from the engine and primed.
Overhead cam engines, whether overhauled or remanufactured, prior to starting the engine, ensure the engine
crankcase is filled to specification with engine oil. Disable the fuel supply to the fuel injectors (disable the inertia
fuel shut-off switch) and crank the engine in 15-second increments until the pump is primed. An oil pressure gauge
can be used to assist in determining when oil pressure is obtained.
NOTE: Ensure the inertia fuel shut-off switch is re-enabled prior to attempting to start the engine.
Overhead Valve Engines (OHV):
Overhead valve engines (push-rod type) use an oil pump driven by the camshaft via an intermediate shaft connected
to the distributor, or camshaft synchronizer assembly.
Whether the engine is overhauled or remanufactured, the oil pump should be primed prior to starting the engine. If
the engine is overhauled, ensure the crankcase is filled to specification with the proper engine oil and using an
engine oil pump priming tool kit (commercially available). Rotate the pump until it is primed. An oil pressure gauge
can be used to assist in determining when oil pressure is obtained.
If a remanufactured engine is being installed, ensure the crankcase is filled to specification with engine oil after the
installation has been completed. Disable the fuel supply to the fuel injectors (disable inertia fuel shut-off switch) and
crank the engine in 15-second increments, until the oil pump is primed. An oil pressure gauge can be used to
assist in determining when oil pressure is obtained.
NOTE: Ensure the inertia fuel shut-off switch is re-enabled prior to attempting to start the engine. If the engine does
not start by the third attempt, stop and determine why, as fuel wash has already started.
Regardless of the engine design, it is extremely important the engine oil pump is correctly primed prior to initial
engine start-up.
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