getting ready to drop in new motor, want to prime oil system, need info on correct procedure, what to hook the pump drive tool to etc. don't want to hurt anything, so I want to do this right. thanks

Do you have the priming tool already?
It fits down into the oil pump, just like the dist. would. You need to turn it clock-wise. A 1/2"('lectric) drill works best, as once the pump picks up, the tool will get really hard to turn. A cordless drill may not be able to do it.
With the v.covers off, and with a mech. oil press gauge hooked up, spin the pump until you get oil from the all pushrods. If you just depend on a gauge, you may not prime it long enough to get all of the lifters filled, and the pushrods oiling.
Believe it or not, I have used a speed-handle with a flat-blade screwdriver socket, to prime the pump! It takes a while to do it like that, but it will do the job!

If you are doing your L-71, a word of caution...........the solid lifters will not oil during priming like a hydraulic does. Do not expect them to squirt, they won't! Just prime it enough to get oil moving and button it up and run it. I kind of found out the hard way.

Nice catch on that, Dave!

thanks all for the info. great call dave on the solid lifters.

It was a lesson learned the hard way. While we were priming mine, we spun and spun. Never noticed the priming tool didn't fit like it was supposed to. It scrubbed on the collar and got some shavings in the oil pump. Just rotating the engine by hand to set the lash on the lifters, we actually spun a bearing! Needless to say, the engine had to be torn down. I was sick for a week over that.

All is good now, it runs like a champ! Even got the fuel line leaks stopped!

sounds like a lesson learned the hard way, having the same motor, your learned lessons have generated a knowledge that is greatly appreciated on this end. If I have any other questions you'll be hearing from me, and thanks again.

Anything I can do to help. I have a pretty good resource, a friend of 20 plus years. He's owned and built several L-71's, among other things. He also builds race engines for the dirt track racers around here.

Good luck with the build! Keep us posted.