FWIW I'm a big fan of just disconnecting the coil and letting the engine turn via starter for 15 seconds to prime the pump before starting. Having done it on a dozen motors I'm of the firm belief that the 40 RPM the engine is turning at via starter is no where near fast enough to build up any significant amount of heat/friction, and you've primed the pump without any fuss providing instant pressure upon startup.
Oh god been there and done that myself too. Me and OboeBrian were getting my timing down a while back, and couldnt line up the oil pump shaft. soo we would have to rotate it a few degrees to have the distibutor line up. Anyways we were also using the screwdriver, extension and socket, and the extension and socket dropped deep into the dark oil pan below. Dropped the crossmember, oil and pan. and got that bugger out. Anyways after that I learned too keep the shaft connected to the distributor by using a really good adhesive, and about a year later it still holds. I have to break it off though soon so i can prime the engine.
65PROJECT:
I thought I could get away with it once. Now that I am forced to drop it again I am planning on a new gasket. Any suggestions? There's got to be a better choice than cork.
BONES0351:
That is a girdle from DSS Racing, they were one of the first companies to manufacture these for SBFs. I had them build and blueprint my shortblock plus install/degree my cam. I did the easy part by assembling the long block
65PROJECT:
I thought I could get away with it once. Now that I am forced to drop it again I am planning on a new gasket. Any suggestions? There's got to be a better choice than cork.
I was thinking that when we rebuilt my sons 289, that the pan gasket we used was made out of some kind of rubber type material. It was part of one of those rebuild gasket sets that you buy at auto parts stores. I know, it was the first one that I've seen that wasn't cork. I would call the auto parts stores and ask them what type of gaskets they carry. I have a little Triumph, so I've had alot of experience with leaks.