This is the 1st time i've ever primed a new engine. It's a gmpp zz383, and I made a priming tool from an old HEI distributor. The tool works good, the oil pressure is good at 60 psi. It took a couple of seconds to get primed, but once it did you can definitely hear the oil pump turning. Is it normal to hear a low "growling" noise coming from the oil pump when you're priming your engine, or should the pump be quiet? You can hear the thing now, but you probably wouldn't hear it over regular engine noise.

Yeah, I usually hear a little noise. Nuthin scary though, OK? Gear type pumps aren't quiet. You should hear a big one in cold weather:)

True, positive displacement pumps make noise.

Wolf, Everette, thank you very much.

Is your oilfilter bypass plugged?