y-block oil pressure

I have a 292 y block that I had built last winter. have not installed it in the car yet. can any body tell me how to bring up oil pressure in the engine before I try to start it. also I had the torque converter rebuilt. should I fill it as much as possible before it is installed.I was told that I can use dextron fluid in the trans instead of type f. yes or no
thanks

 

The cheapest way is to take an old distributor, cut off the top rotor flange & whatever else you want so you can put the shaft into a drill chuck, grind the teeth off the gear, & go to it. You can also use a socket to fit the hex oil pump drive shaft, tape, screw, or weld it to a suitable-length extension, & use a speed handle or whatever to turn it.

Do the best you can to fill the converter, yes...or overfill the pan by a quart before you start it, & check the level before you drive.

If the trans was also rebuilt, ask the trans guy....but most modern clutches/bands will work with Dexron. If you have the original trans clutches/bands, I'd use Type F. You'll hear lots of different opinions on this one.

 

I would definately fill that convertor. If it's the kind I'm thinking of, it is bolted together and has a big o-ring sealing the 2 sides together. That o-ring can often leak, and it's a real bummer to find that out after it's been installed.

 

Some of the early converters are bolt together, some aren't, for the Ford-O-Matic. Later ones aren't. And yes, it sucks to discover it the hard way.

 

The hex in the oil pump is 1/4. I use a deep socket with an extension (use duct tape or something to make sure the socket won't come off) and either use a speed wrench (counter clock wise) or an electric drill ( must be a reversible drill, 1/2 inch is best) to turn the pump. If you don't get oil up to the rockers, turn the engine over 1/4 turn. Sometimes the holes don't line up correctly to get oil flow.