Scottsb

Hello, new to this forum. I don't normally ask for or need help on my car problems. I have rebuilt several engines before and never had any problems and have never seen anything like this before.
I have a 1995 Cherokee with the 4.0L in it. Just finished a rebuild down to the block. All bearings replaced and clearances checked and a new head. Everything is stock on my jeep no changes from how it left the factory.

I can't get it to pump oil. I have used a drill to drive the oil pump through the distributor opening, I have cranked it with no spark plugs in. No oil at all is moving, the filter is dry. With the filter off no oil comes out the filter adapter.

I reused the original oil pump, it did not show much wear and had good oil pressure when the engine was last in service.

Any help would be appreciated, I really don't look forward to removing the pan to pull the pump.

Thank you,
Scott
1995 Cherokee

Radi

Did you remove the pickup tube when you pulled the pump?

bigbadon

If there is the slightest air leak where the pickup tube is pressed in it will not suck up oil. Just for the heck of it prime (fill) the pump by pouring oil into it via the outer hole in the filter adapter.

t.mcginley.jr

Did you install a new oil pump gasket? Ditto on the pickup tube.

Also is your distributor spinning? That's what turns the oil pump. You probably would have noticed but if the distributor gear was shot it wouldn't spin the pump.

Scottsb

I did not remove the pickup tube, but did replace the gasket. The distributor moves, cam shaft was out and inspected by the machine shop. Will try getting oil in the center of the filter mount I guess.