A few pictures of engine oil primer recently completed at Vintage Racing Developments. Uses standard English Ford "Burman" vane type oil pump and draws from large PVC reservoir. In-hex drive is fitted to pump shaft where pump drive gear normally resides when pump is fitted to engine. Male hex drive in hand drill is used to operate pump.
When a new camshaft is fitted to an engine, especially with high load valve springs in a modified/competition engine, it is undesirable to wind the engine over on the starter motor with the spark plugs removed to build engine oil pressure prior to initial start. For optimum camshaft run-in and subsequent camshaft longevity, it is desirable to immediately bring the engine to 2500 to 3000 RPM as there is then a sufficient supply of "splash" oil released from rotating components to adequately lubricate the camshaft.
Use of the priming pump immediately prior to initial start (along with the usual filling of the oil filter before fitment) provides instant oil pressure upon initial start and allows the requisite camshaft run-in process to be carried out without potential bearing starvation.
