Need some oil pump help!

[mr-fixit]

Hello all,
I am helping a buddy put an 87 HO engine in his 68 F/B. We switched to a front sump oil pan, along with a new oil pump and pick up, both from NAPA.
My problem is I can't seem to prime the engine. I put in a total of 5 qts. of oil, prefilled the oil filter, and I am spinning the oil pump shaft in a counter clockwise direction. I have tried turning the oil pump shaft for over 5 min. with an extension and drill, I can see the oil pump shaft is spinning, but after several minutes there is no resistance on the drill, and no oil pressure. (I am using a SW manual guage) Any ideas? I hate to pull the pan, now that the engine is in the car.
Thanks, Rick

 

[2+2GT]

Doesn't sound good. Was there any oil in the pump when you installed it? Is the relief valve stuck?

 

[mr-fixit]

It was a new pump, was I supposed to prime it before I installed it? I guess the pan will need to come off to check the releif valve. Thanks for the response 2+2GT

 

[jcode68]

Probably need to prime the pump. I have read people use vasoline in the impeller gears of the pump to create the initial suction to get it primed.