I started to adjust the valve lash and noticed that the roller tip scrub pattern on the tops of the valves didn't look right. Sure enough, checking Dart's info on my heads, it says to use +.100" longer pushrods. I have those on order now. However, I just did one of the dumbest stunts that I've ever done...
Before I turned the crank around to look at valve lash, I thought I'd pre- lube the engine so I pulled out the distributor and put in a drill- operated shaft that turns the oil pump. To check oil pressure, I made up a short length of -4 line, found adapters to my gauge's 1/4" NPT and filled the wet sump with 4 1/2 quarts of oil. The engine is bolted up to the transaxle, out of the chassis, sitting flat on the wet-sump oil pan bottom, on a piece of corrugated cardboard on the shop floor.
I attached my variable-speed drill to the shaft and pulled the trigger while watching the oil pressure gauge. No oil pressure but it felt like the pump shaft was turning so I increased the RPM. Still no pressure so I ran the drill speed up-- no oil pressure but a big pool of oil was forming on the floor under the engine. I mean a BIG pool- like 3 quarts! WTF???
I moved around to the other side of the engine, the driver's side, and it was immediately apparent why the oil was pumped out onto the floor. The dopey guy operating the drill (me) had forgotten to screw on an oil filter! Duh!
Now I'm cleaning up the mess. How dumb can you get?
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ