Just rebuild a '86 22RE, great compression but zero oil pressure. I even double check with a remote gauge and new sending unit. What could it be? Is there some internal plug I missed.

 

Unlike a domestic engine where you can prime the oiling system with an old distributor shaft and a drill, these engines with oil pumps that work off of the crank need help to prime/pick up the oil. Did you pack your oil pump full of petroleum jelly (Vasaline) before you put it back together? This helps prime the oiling system. If you didn't you may damage the engine trying to prime the oil system by cranking it over. You will probably have to remove your oil pump and try again.

 

Pull your coil wire off of the cap and turn the motor over by hand on the crank. With the valve cover off , you should start to see some oil coming over the rockers after awhile. It will save your new engine. If that dosen't work, remove the bolt on the oil pump, usually copper in color, and add oil to prime the pump and repeat the process above.

 

Good posting^^^^^^

 

ya i had the same problem i put a wet gauge in and and primed the oil pump w/white lithium grease, and filled the hole going from the oil filter to the pump w/ oil by wsing a hand pump, cranked it for a little while and oil pressure jumped right up!