Late-Model Engine Prelubing - Build A Budget Pressure Luber

We then drilled the blind end of the factory aluminum fitting with a 5/16-inch bit and used a 1/8-inch pipe tap to adapt an oil pressure fitting to monitor the oil pressure. This can also be used on the engine for an aftermarket gauge once the engine is in the car. That oil pressure gauge is absolutely ancient, isn't it?

We drilled a common 12mm coarse thread bolt with a 5/16-inch drill bit and tapped the hole with 1/8-inch pipe threads to use an Earl's 188 pipe to -6 male AN fitting to return oil to the reservoir. We also could have used a rubber hose and some brass fittings that would have been less expensive, but it wouldn't have looked as cool.

We had to use a 90-degree forged-style fitting for the high-pressure entry into the engine to clear the oil pressure adapter that also required slight filing to clear the 90-degree AN fitting. Also, there's no way to get a socket or wrench in there to tighten the adapter fitting into the engine, but we tightened it by using the 90-degree fitting.

We attached the high-pressure and return lines to the engine and to the pressure luber tool and added 6 quarts of 5W-20 Quaker State Q race oil (just for fun). Next, we attached a small-block Chevy oil pump driveshaft, complete with its plastic collar, to a 1/2-inch electric drill motor and then slipped it into the oil pump drive. We thought we would have to secure the bucket to keep it from spinning when turning the oil pump with the drill motor, but the bucket remained in place.

It took a couple of minutes to pump oil throughout the entire engine using this system. Make sure there is oil coming out of every pushrod to ensure the entire engine has been lubed properly. We took a shot of oil in the chest from a pushrod the second time we fired up the preluber, so it might be wise to leave the valve cover on and check that all 16 pushrods have oil. Once the engine is fully lubed, remove all the fittings, top off the oil level in the engine, and the job is done. Place the fittings with the pressure luber and use a -6 male tee to connect the two lines so they don't leak or get dirty. Cover this tool up to keep dirt off the lid and it will always be ready for the next engine.