Oil pressure but no oil up top

[Carlton Huitt]

I’m priming the oil pump with a pump tool on a 73 350. I’m getting about 35 psi while turning it with an electric drill. After several minutes no oil in the valve train. It was working fine before I got my hands on it. Replaced valve seals and intake manifold. Took me a few weeks since I only get to work on it on weekends. Oh and I don’t have a clue. Going insane.

 

[Dutch Rutter]

Prime it then turn the engine over by hand some and prime some more. Keep doing that for at least a full rotation.

 

[bucket]

If your primer tool doesn't have a base that resembles a distributor body, it's bleeding off most of the oil into the lifter valley. Try more speed and for longer. Stop and rotate the crank 90 degrees every so often.