No oil pressure 1955 m38a1

[lgt]

My oil pump was leaking at the cover plate so I removed the plate drained cleaned and reinstalled the plate. Started the engine have no oil pressure.
Do I need to prime the pump? Where could I find oil pump information.

Thanks Larry

[4x4M38]

Larry,
Crank the engine a little with the ignition off so it doesn't start.

That should help, although having already run it should have
primed.

Use the search function above and type in:
Priming oil pump

And search for all.

Take care,

[wesk]

Step one is a new cover plate gasket. These are peculiar to the exact PN pump you have there and they are a very thing gasket paper. Excess clearance between the end of the gears and the plate will equal "0" oil pressure.

Try starting in the appropriate engine repair manual for your jeep M38 TM 9-1804A and M38A1/M170 TM 9-8015-1. Each has a full section on the oil pump.

The pump should be full of oil before you attempt to start the engine. It is best to connect a pressure pot with oil to the main oil gallery on the left (DRIVER'S) side of the engine next to the oil pressure gage tap. Then use the pot with engine oil under air pressure to prime the entire oil system.

If no pressure pot is available then remove all four spark plugs and eyeball the oil pressure gage to see exactly where the needle is setting. Then while staring at the oil pressure gage crank the engine a few seconds until you get an indication of upward needle movement. Then if no leaks re-install the plugs and start it up.

[lgt]

Thanks for the information Wes, Not having any luck with the spark plugs out method. Will have to track down a pressure pot. I did make copies of the repair manuals you recommended

Larry

[GPA]

Make/borrow a pressure pot or use an oil pressure accumulator temporarily plumbed into the oil circuit. Some people put light grease on the pump gears to help oil pick-up.