The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop priming oil pump

don't install the rocker arms until the last thing before you start it. you don't need them to turn over the engine, or set the timing, you only need them to set the valve lash, you can do everything else without them. I suppose you could pull the lifters out and get some lube on the lobes that way, there isn't a whole lot of room though. You only have to make one engine revolution with the rockers in place. I would at least pull the lifters to inspect them and the cam lobes, you can put the lube on the lifters and roll the engine with only the lifters in place, a few times I guess. What ever the case before you spend a lot time on other things I would check this out. I had to pull my cam after about 300 miles when half of my exhaust valves stuck and ruined my cam in the process. I still don't know if it was the positive seal valve seals I had installed or the machine shop didn't get the clearance right. Either way I was very glad I tapped the gear cover to remove the bolts from the front.