Vaseline was recommended by Rover for their V8 engine due to the pump being high. I have also used it in jeep engines, as if you use oil and do not test run it in a short time there is likelyhood of that oil seeping away, Vaseline creates suction and after all it is a petroleum product and disapates once the oil is up. I usually spin the engine on the starter without plugs before starting, and watch the guage, once it flickers you know the oil is present.