[GRX]

So what are the best currently available camshaft assembly & break-in lubes? Does Moly paste still reign?

[HWYSTR455]

Lots of folks like the moly paste, mainly because of personal preference, but generally any quality assembly lube is fine. Some say/believe the thinner stuff drips and/or wipes off with a few rotations, but that's not true. They still leave a protective film. Some feel that some of the pastes clog filters, etc, and shouldn't be used. There is some truth to that.

If you search here, not too long ago I purchased like 4 or 5 different assembly lubes and compared. I think Torco was the one I liked the best, but any of the ones I bought were fine. The Sealed Power ones are inexpensive and of good quality. (green in color). Just don't use white lithium or some other that isn't specifically made for assembly.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=assembly+lube


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[GRX]

Thanks. Will look for your comparison thread.

Back in the day I built many engines using Sealed Power LL-5 sticky green assembly lube with great results. Wonder how their current products stack up.

[77 TRASHCAN]

I believe assembly or engine lube to be an entire different animal from cam lube? Moly is a high pressure high friction lubricant. Don't know of anything better, for the cam/lifter situation.... I got to witness a couple pf cam installs at my engine builders shop, years ago. Moly paste on cam lobes, lifter faces. If using stock rockers w/ balls, a tad bit on the ball/socket location. Pre-oil the engine just before firing, no other lube needed. Everything else is oiled on assembly.

Their cam installation was very tedious (as was all assembly). Builder said they never lost a cam...

[HWYSTR455]

Well, assembly lube is different than engine lube, engine lube is just oil. The practice of using engine oil for bearings during assembly is a habit, nothing more. Well, maybe because they don't have anything else too. If you look at top fuel and other high end builders, they all use assembly lube. Engine oil isn't sticky like assembly lube, for one, and runs off. When is the most damage/wear done on an engine? At start up, when there's not enough engine oil present. Don't have that problem with assembly lube.

And as said before, moly can clog filters at start up, so it technically needs to be used sparingly. It also doesn't 'stick' as well as assembly lube, so if the engine sits for any length of time, guess what works better?

Many of the cam manufacturers include assembly lube with their' cams for the lobes and lifter bottoms, and the main reason others include moly with their' cams is cost. Moly is cheaper than assembly lube. Many cam manufacturers sell 'cam lube' and it's assembly lube, usually not moly based.

Only place I can think of that you should use engine oil during assembly is rings and cyl walls, which is to help with quick seating of rings.

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[Ventura455]

I've been using Redline oils engine assembly lube with great results.You can use it on the bearings ,cam and lifters, piston skirts and it clings to your parts without running off like most assembly lube does. It disolves in oil and it won't clog your filter if you use too much.