Changed the oil on my 440 the other day in my boat. Engine normally runs great and has good oil psi. After extracting oil and changing filter, start it up and oil pump will not prime-no psi. Shut it down once I hear the lifters clattering and no psi on the gauge. By the way, it has external oil pump. Nothing has changed between warming engine up to change oil and now.

I use Rotella oil and Baldwin filters.

There has to be a trick, remedy, snake oil, etc?

Thanks

 

I ALWAYS pre-fill my filters. Did you?

 

I always pre fill the filter.. Do a search someone was having problems with oil pressure on a boat and there was something wrong with the oil filter adapter.
Another slim possibility id the distributor drive gear shaft could have twisted.
I would start with a new oil filter and go from there

 

I also pre fill the pump. If the pump is dry it will not pull liquid.

 

Thanks for the responses. I do pre fill my filter. Is this a Chrysler quirk? I've never experienced this before. I will try pre filling the pump. Wouldn't the pump then become prefilled by putting on a 'full' oil filter?

Thanks

 

Depending on if the filter has a anti drain back valve which it should to be the best for a BB Chrysler. Its a long way from the pan to the pump on a B/RB. Also the filtering material will suck up alot of oil and being mounted sidways you can't really completly fill it anyway. You can always buy or make a priming rod to use with a drill. Milodon sells them. I would expect any good speed shop to sell them. I have one but I doubt you live near me.

 

If the pump has lost prime, you might try cranking the engine WITH THE FILTER REMOVED. The filter is one of the first things the pump "sees" so removing the filter removes the "head" that the pump is working against.

Also, there is some issue with the pump -to- engine internal o ring, which is around the stem of the pump. I've read of a couple of people who lost oil pressure when this seal broke.

So far as "pre-filling" the filter (what you gonna fill it before you fill it?) this is an excellent idea, but the fact of the matter is, the engine SHOULD be able to safely fill the filter and carry on.

 

Try another filter, I've heard this happens to some. It's rare but does happen.

 

My mechanic came up with a solution. Pulled oil pump and took it to a machinist. Machinist drilled and tapped a hole above where the filter would screw on. In the tapped hole, a threaded nipple was put in and hose attached with capped end. At the capped end, I can use a small squeeze oiler and fill the hose which fills the pump, before the filter. I will leave the hose attached.

It may sound like an odd way to do things, but in the end, it works!

Thanks for the replys!

 

Personally, I think that you may have had the wrong oil filter installed.... Worth a look and it's a cheap fix.

 

You may need to replace the oil pump. I had a car with a big block in it and i drove it 4 hrs and ran great. The motor set for 3 months and I tried to start it after priming the pump and still could not get press.I replaced the pump and it was fine.I think the prss relief in the pump stuck.Anyways just a thought