At 25*, that's like trying to push diff lube through those push rods, looks like your on the right track

Cools thanks guys!! I wasn't trying to blow my drill up so I wasn't going to fast, but it was at about 30psi!!

thats about all you will get with a drill...you should be good to go...

i use a 1/2 inch air drill and usually see 60+ while priming.

^^^^^^ Totally agree 100 % unless you have a issue of some sort.

If I held my drill wide open I bet it would hit 60psi! I was just worried about the drill

Drills are cheaper than motors

yep,cordless drill,s don,t like that kind of load.

The last stock small block I put together this fall hit 60 psi with no trouble on a cordless drill. My oil was at 65 degrees though, so your results may vary. I like to run the drill and spin the motor over by hand two revolutions while priming. May not make a bit of difference but doesn't cost more than a minute of time to do.

I will bet something is wrong. I have never had these problems. I have used cordless drills for years without ever having a problem building pressure and getting oil out of all of the pushrods. I am using a commercial ( contractor grade ) drill. And it does load the drill hard.
I usually run a full charged battery dead doing the full prime. Is there such a thing as a counter rotation oil pump?