E30 Zone

morning folks,

looking for a bit of advise.

i've not long completed my first rebuild of an m20, (first one i've ever done myself)
now it's come time to fire up the engine (it's already in the car) but i'm looking for advise how the best way to prime the oil pump.

i've read through the only thread i could find on here

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... mp+priming

& a few others online, even went through the bently manual & can't find anything in there.

a few threads online say to remove the blanking plate on the passenger side of the block & spin the gear with a drill to build up pressure,

i was going to try this method but i can get the cover off, all the other threads i've read say the same thing but no pictures are available to help.

does anyone have any pictures or videos on how to do this??

is this the only way? or can i turn the engine over by hand by using a 22mm spanner/socket on the crank nut??

i really don't want to balls this up as i have spent a fair wedge of money & time on this engine.

can anyone help??

I have m20 engine sitting in garage, for a while, also fresh rebuild.. My plan is to turn oil pump by electric drill until i see oil in head..

I did read somewhere that is good idea to add 2l of oil from oil filter side and while doing that turn oil pump counterclockwise by hand...and then use drill. not sure about the logic behind that, but maybe it is a good idea...

i managed to get it primed by taking the blanking plate off above the pump gear & using a drill & socket to get the gear spinning & the oil circulating till i saw oil in the head & kept an eye on the mechanical oil pressure gauge,