Did all the seals, etc on an ea82. Put it all back together. Can I/ should I fill the oil filter such, before I start cranking on it? Prime the oil pump? I drained all the oil so there is no oil anywhere to be found. Of course I have already put all the belts on, etc. :/

At the very least, I'd crank it for a while with the ignition wire off, to get the oil moving around everywhere before you start full rpm and ignition and such.

Yes - fill the filter with a bit of oil to get the paper started absorbing it. It will absorb a lot more than you think.

 

Then crank it without the coil wire hooked up till you see the oil pressure gauge start to rise, or about 15 seconds if you don't have an OP gauge.

 

GD

It is amazing how much oil or fuel a spin-on filter will hold!!