Since the oil pump on the VW boxer sits at/below oil level, you typically
don't need to prime it at all to get it to pump up. A few simple
checks/things that could be the matter:

Does this motor have a filter? Is it a genuine VW/Mann/Knecht filter? Make
it so.
Did you assemble the motor? (No offense) did you have any parts left over?
In particular, it is not unheard of for someone to forget to put in the
oil-pickup tube before mating the case-halves. You can remove the strainer
on the bottom of the motor to check.
Is the strainer blocked by anything? While you have the oil out of the
motor and the strainer out, try blowing a compressed air through the pickup
tube...NOT too high a pressure...my thought is, If the assembler used GOBS
of assembly lube, some may be blocking the pickup tube.

Best of luck, let us know what you find.

G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   Phil Marston [SMTP:pmarston@INSTECH.CO.UK]
Sent:   Monday, November 22, 1999 3:19 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Help - No Oil Pressure

Hi All,
Just installed my first aircooled 1600 rebuild back into my van ('81
T25 transporter (the panel van in the UK)) & it won't pump up any
oil pressure.  Any suggestions ?
I installed a new pump as part of the rebuild and primed it up but
that was a couple of weeks ago.
Suspect I'm going have to drag the engine out again, re-prime it
and have another go.
I wouldn't mind but its cold & raining & I can do without the hassle.
Any suggestions or words of encouragement
Phil