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Oil System Priming Shaft - Dimensions Needed

Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2022 7:05 pm
by r1lark
Need some help fellow Patrolers.

Early next week I'm taking a trip to work on my Patrol, which is about 90 minutes away. Oil & filter change, and priming the oil system is on the agenda. I want to make a priming shaft to go in place of the distributor drive spindle. Spent about an hour searching old posts and can't find the info I need (but did find important info like the pump has to turn CCW).

Plans are to use a 5/16" or 3/8" carbon steel rod, and grind the tang on the end that will engage the oil pump. Will use a battery powered drill to drive the pump. I need to make the priming shaft here at home and need some help on dimensions.

Questions:
1) Anyone know the diameter of the distributor drive spindle? I'm not trying to match the shaft diameter, but wanted to make sure I don't go to big on the priming shaft diameter.
1) What would be a reasonable approximate overall length to make the priming shaft?
2) What is a reasonable thickness (dimension "a" in the pic posted below) for the tang, with the understanding I'm not making a new shaft so it doesn't need to be exact. I just don't want to end up with too thick a tang that won't fit into the oil pump.

Thanks in advance for any input!
Patrol drive spindle for distributor.jpg

Re: Oil System Priming Shaft - Dimensions Needed

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:24 am
by G60michael
G'day mate, I've had a lot of G60s, Some that have Sat Idle in paddocks for a Decade or Several Decades, When I've Primed them up I Just Used a Cheep or Old Long Larger Flat Blade Screw Driver, With the See-Through Yellow Or other Colored Handle, Just Use a Hammer and Bash the Handle till it breaks apart then slip the Screw Driver Shank into the Drill and Spin it Anti-Clockwise, works well everytime for me.

Hope this Helps Mate, Cheers Mick

Re: Oil System Priming Shaft - Dimensions Needed

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 3:08 pm
by Johnny Roadkill
Not trying to talk you out of making a proper tool if that's a project you want, but I still have the 12" length of 3/16" rod with a bit of steel scrap wire-wrapped to one end I made 30 years ago for Datsun L series motor oil priming...would probably work on a P motor too...

...but if I were doing it over I'd use G60michael's screwdriver idea - $5 from Hammerbarn and much more elegant !

Cheers,
D

Re: Oil System Priming Shaft - Dimensions Needed

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 1:17 pm
by r1lark
Thanks for the feedback guys! All my flat blade screwdrivers are square stock, so that won't chuck up too well in the drill. :D
I've already got some round rod left over from something else, and realized I can take my battery powered 4-1/2 " angle grinder with me and use that to make the shaft to fit. Love these battery powered tools!