Can you check oil pressure with the starter?

[JAy]

On a 2.25, can the starter drive the engine fast enough to build oil pressure? I just saw a show on Discovery where they did it on a Austin Sprite with a new engine.

[thixon]

Never tried it, but my guess is yes and no.

The stock starter will probably spin it fast enough to build some pressure, but not enough to give you an idea of what it will register when the motor runs.

Why? (just curious)

[BackInA88]

Many if you pull the sparkplugs?

I remember priming an engine thru the distributor hole with a shaft on a drill motor to the oil pump drive.
Is this possible on a series motor?

[gudjeon]

This is my preferred method of priming a rebuilt engine before initial start up. The 2.25 w/o plugs will turn over fast enough to build up a bit of oil pressure.

[Jeff Aronson]

Yes, I know you can build up oil pressure that way. Crank it with the starter - just remove the coil to distributor wire - and you'll build up some pressure. I've seen it on my gauge. I think the oil light goes out at 15 psi.

Jeff