Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I started up my motor for the first time since rebuilding and do not get any pressure reading at the guage. I tested the guage and it works. There is no oil getting to the guage. I took off the cylinder oiler valve and checked it and it seems to operate fine (thought that shouldn't affect the pressure. There is oil in the line to the filter and to the cylinder oiler so I know that the pump is at least minimally pumping. Any thoughts? I am hesitant to run the engine any more until I get this sorted out.

Any chance the oil pressure line has blockage in it?

If the oil pressure line detaches at the firewall, disconnect it, and wrap a paper towel around the end. Remove the spark plugs and hand crank the engine over vigorously 20 times or so and see if oil is produced. On my 31 I did that before starting it and was able to determine that the pump was primed. If you're getting oil up the line, then do the same thing but with removing the connection at the gauge. If there is any indicia of a blockage, remove the line and clear it with some stiff wire and brake cleaner.

Assuming you have oil getting to the oil filter, then I'd have to believe the pump is primed and not the source of the problem.