What assembly lube is everyone using?

[pagrunt]

As I am getting everything to put my 350 back together, I am wondering what brand assembly lube to use since there is more choices now than the last time I built an engine. Lubriplate & Sta-Lube is what I'm use to but with Royal Purple & Lucas being out there along with others It makes one wonder what makes one better than the other. On top of it, the need of zinc additives & break in spec oils adds to what all I'll need to have on hand for that first start. This is one of the areas I don't want to do as cheap as possible as that route could bite me in the *ss latter.

 

[pontiacgp]

I used Lubriplate No. 105 when I changed out my cam. It's used by some engine builders I know

https://www.lubriplate.com/Products.../Lubriplate-No-105-Motor-Assembly-Grease.html

 

[Texas82GP]

I would think you would be ok with any name brand assembly lube. If you are using a flat tappet cam, then use the supplied cam break-in lube on it, and run break-in lube or add the break in additive to your oil.

 

[pagrunt]

I'll need some cam break in lube, didn't get any with my cam as it was lose with the engine. Checking Eldelbrocks' site since it's their cam & I'm ordering their lifters.

 

[lilbowtie]

I am a Brad Penn fan - I use their assembly lube.

 

[Bar50]

It depends on how long it will set before you start it. I have used Lubriplate for years, learned it from my dad and grandpa, but, if you let the motor set a LONG time it kind of dries up, gets to a harder paste form. If it will be a while, like six months or more, wait to do the cam lube and just use good motor oil on the cylinder walls, rings, and bearing surfaces.

I have had the best luck swapping out oil filters right after the cam break in cycle, and then oil and filter at 500 miles. A good filter can get clogged at cam break in with all the particles and such from break in process and foreign objects from general assembly. I am a Valvoline guy, VR1 Racing Formula for the ZDDP. Pretty much swear by Wix filters too.

 

[MrSony]

I swear by the stuff in this exact tube right here. I broke in my motor with 0 that's right ZERO oil pressure with it. No problems 5500 miles later. At first I thought my gauge was broken, turns out I forgot the two oil galley plugs behind the cam gear. Whoops. I drove it around like 10 miles, then once the lifters started to chatter I found out what the problem was. Ah, the things you forget on your first engine build. I didn't like the looks of the cam grease I got from comp either. I did use the break in oil though. think I got a bad batch of grease or something. So I smothered the cam in this lube. Bearings, lifters, pushrods, everything that moved and touched metal to metal got it. It stayed on the valvetrain and probably saved my *ss. Engine never had any particles or anything during any of the 3 oil changes I've given it since break in.

 

[marcar1993]

I use stp engine oil stabilizer (high in zddp) for everything but the cam. The cam got a coating of whatever the cam manufacturer sent with it.

 

[Speedy94c]

I use Lucas and have for years for my assembly lube. I usually get mine started within a few days of assembly but I like that stuff.
I had an engine once that broke the oil pump pickup off in a race and the lucas saved that engine.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

The first motor I built we used PJ1 spray assembly lube. I guess I did its job, but I wasn't really a fan of it. It just leaves a really light film that isn't very reassuring. My second engine I just used Mobil 1 15w-50 full synthetic. This was with a full roller valve train both times.