427 side oiler engine build "Blog"

[Bruce Edwards]

As an engine builder who after 30 years has never had to warranty and engine, stick with engine oil on the rings, pistons and walls. It does not get scraped off as the rings move any more than it would if the engine was running. Remember that the pistons and walls get lube by splash from the rod spacing. The mist of oil finds it's way into and out of those little slots between the oil rings as well as splash on the walls as the piston moves up and down the cylinder.
If you plan on running the engine with 30 then lube it with 30. The only place I use any extreme style lube is on the cam and lifters and in some cases the rockers. Everything else gets engine oil. All engines I build are primed and rotated before firing for the first time to be sure every bearing gets a full load of oil.
No "magic" lubes in my engines. K.I.S.S. still holds for me.
By the way you can not put to much on the rings and pistons. Think about it. As you turn the engine over to install the other pistons you are removing any extra oil with every turn. If you are like me by the time you are done putting it together and setting the lash you will have turned the engine over many times with out any load on the bearings or pistons and rings. As such it will only take off any extra and leave a nice coating of lube to start it up for the first time.