engine assembly lube
 

What's the latest development in assembly lube? It's been a while since I built an engine. I used to use STP Oil Treatment on the advice of my old high school shop teacher. There is probably something higher tech these days.

Thanks,
Pat

Pat,
STP is fine..it's a matter of choice.
Roscoe

I use Lubri-Plate. It is a white, cream like substance which is an aircraft engine assy. lube. Local rebuilder suggested it to me. The only place I can find it is at NAPA.

I think most any type of lubricant will work fine,the trick is to use it and plenty of it on all parts. Also,prelube the engine before first start-up.

David

Home chemistry!
 

Pat,
If you would like to make your own, and have a source for petroleum products, it's very cheap and easy to make.

Mix molybdenum disulfide with 5w-30 oil in a 15 or 20:1 ratio, oil being the main ingredient, and you have a great assembly lube!

Dave

Assembly Lube
 

Hello Pat,
I hate to disagree with Dave, but the latest research on any type of assembly lube indicates that you should NOT use any moly (molybdenum) based substance. The rational is that this is a particulate that will eventually make its way to your oil filter.

Don't get me wrong, certain particulate lubes are ok. The goal is to find a substance that will completely dissolve in the motor oil once it starts to circulate.
Personally, I would stick with a commercially available assembly lube.
For what it's worth,
Paul C.

Paul,

That's the beauty of this forum, lots of information and ideas!

While what you say is basically true, I must still recommend m/d as an assembly lube. The protection it offers, most importantly to bearing surfaces, far out weigh any chance of oil filter blockage. You simply do not use an amount that would cause any significant restriction. Combine this with the fact that break-in oil is generally not run for a long period of time.

My opinion comes from professional experience as a prototype engine builder for Honda Research and Developement here in Ohio. Honda has some of the most stringent engineering requirements of any automotive company, and our engineering standards actually call for using m/d as an assembly lube. To date, we have never experienced any failure do to an oil restriction problem in the filter, or otherwise, due to use of m/d. Our own tests have shown it offers superior bearing surface protection, thus our requirement. I'd be curious as to which research you refer to. I will assume it was done or funded by someone in the petroleum industry who has some sort of vested interest in this.

In the end, each individual must sort through all the information, and decide what's best for him/her.

I do appreciate your thoughts on this, and always welcome intelligent discussion.

Dave

Your local speed shop or Mr. Goodwrench dealer has a product called EOS, or GM Engine Oil Supplement. A container of this to the oil makes a good assembly and initial fire-up lube. That's all you need on the bearings and rings. Cam assembly lube from Crane, Comp, etc., are all Moly based lubes for cam and valvetrain assembly, and mix with the engine oil on fire up.