No oil pressure on new V6 build

[V6 Buick HenryJ]

This is going in my HenryJ, I hope this is the right form.

I just finished rebuilding my 1980 3.8 V6 including a new timing cover and oil pump cover. I filled the oil filter before installing it.

Using my oil primer with my drill I am not getting any resistance nor getting any oil pressure. I put the gauge fitting above the oil pump .

 

[86 Salon]

Are you are turning it clockwise? I've always packed the pump with petroleum jelly per service manual. Is there a gasket between the pickup and block? If you used any type of RTV on the timing cover or the pickup, it can block off the passages. Did you install the oil galley plugs in the front and rear of the block?

 

[bracketchev1221]

This is the buick with the distributor up front?

 

[brrian]

+1 to packing the pump with petroleum jelly (Vaseline). It's a Buick thing. I did so on mine & it primed & built pressure immediately. I'd start there before digging into anything else.

 

[V6 Buick HenryJ]

Good morning and thanks to all for the responses.

Yesterday after letting it sit all night I retried priming the engine (CW) and after half a dozen turns I felt resistance and then it pumped up to 70 psi.

A buddy called me last night and I was telling him about the oiling issue and he told me his buddy had the same problem and he packed the pump with Vaseline.

Not used to it as I have always built SB and BB Chevs.

Thanks again, Henry.