Last week I was ready to test start my Montero, (I have a "build thread" on this but I haven't been good about updating it - https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/91-montero-refresh/183386/page1/ - after replacing the block with a new old stock short block and then fitting it with reman heads. The factory oil pressure gauge has never worked reliably, so I wasn't going to count on it during the test start. After spinning the motor by hand to make sure it spun freely, I started and ran the engine just long enough to verify that it was in time and running correctly. Then, I shut it off and cracked the oil filter loose to see that the oil pump was sending oil there, and I got a stream of oil from the filter when I loosened it, so that's a good sign (I think). I've only run the engine for a matter of seconds so far, because it took me so long to rebuild this thing and I don't want to wipe it out in the first minute.
I found this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-899004 - which I could theoretically plumb into the NPT fitting where the oil pressure sending unit usually resides. Should I pick up one of these test kits with a long enough hose to read the gauge from inside the vehicle, and trust it to give me an accurate oil pressure reading? Is there anything else I should keep in mind? This is really my first engine overhaul, and though I replaced the heads and put everything back together, I honestly couldn't tell you the process by which oil flows from oil pan to overhead cam. This project has been a real learning experience and I'm hoping to not turn it into a sad ending.