Hello All,
I just signed up them morning to this great site! I'm in the process of completing my custom softail build and I have a question about adding oil. I purchased a new oil tank, replaced all the upper gaskets in the engine (at that time I pulled the plug at the bottom of the crank case and drained the oil), and ran new oil lines, so my whole system is bone dry with the exception of oil residue on the crank case and oil on the pistons when I installed them in the cylinders.

After putting oil in the oil tank, do I have to add oil directly to the crank case/oil pump to purge the engine so the oil can start sucking oil from the oil tank?

Thanks!

 

You don't have to but I would pre-fill the oil filter 1/2 way allowing the oil to soak into the filter media. Then remove the spark plugs(cover holes with rags) and crank the engine a few revs to get the oil system primed and pumping before you start it. Did you use assembly lubricant on all of your engine internal parts when building? If not make sure you get some oil pumped up to the top end before you start it. If you have not lubricated the cylinders you might want to squirt a small amount of Marvel Mystery oil in the spark plug holes as well. Make sure your oil is a warm as possible when you fill the tank.

 

Thanks for your help. I filled the oil filter and let it soak into the media but might have filled the filter all the way.... When I reassembled the engine I just used oil for the bike but did lube all the parts including the pistons and cylinders. I’ll make sure I get oil to the top end before running it.

 

FWIW lubriplate, redline and GM all have a high moly assembly paste that works real well for assembling engine parts and prevents metal to metal contact wear at start up.