Triumph Repair: priming an oil pump, oil pressure gauge, oil pumps

Question
I read in this forum where Jim suggested disconnecting fire and fuel and turning the engine over to build oil pressure. I am concerned about the possible damage to the motor - even at starter speeds.
I installed a new oil pump in my 70 TR6, primed it with Vaseline - no oil pressure (quit vry quickly).
How do I get my engine back to running condition?
John

Answer
Hi John,
What Jim said is correct and the standard method of priming an oil pump and system with oil on a fresh rebuild. You should NEVER start a fresh engine to get oil pressure.

Many mechanics use Vaseline to lube oil pumps as long as you don't use too much.

Triumphs are hard to prefill the oil filter so it may take a while to get oil pressure as you don't get pressure until it is full. The standard procedure is as follows,

Remove the spark plugs, disable the ignition, disable the fuel supply to the carbs. Remove the valve cover, Squirt several shots of engine oil in each plug hole and spin the starter motor until you see oil pressure on the gauge. This will take a while because of the size and position of the oil filter. Some mechanics just to play it safe first remove the fitting for the oil pressure gauge and spin the engine first until they see oil come out. Then connect the gauge and spin again until oil pressure is up on the gauge. This bleeds the air trapped in the oil galley. If you have to spin for any length of time keep checking the starter motor by feeling it to see that it is not getting too hot. You should not have to spin it more than one minute. If so you have done something wrong inside. You should get a minimum of 35 PSI at starter speed. After you get that pressure on the gauge look at the rockers and keep spinning until you see oil at all the rockers. Only then can you put the valve cover on and plugs in and connect up the ignition and fuel and start the engine.

Howard