Y-BlocksForever Forum / Y-BlocksForever! Forums 2006 / Technical / assembly lube / Latest Posts

RE: assembly lube

56 effie — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:15:38 GMT

Thanks for that Ted, it all makes sense now.

Regards Peter.

RE: assembly lube

Ted — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:09:34 GMT

The 2000+ rpms insures that adequate oil is being thrown at the lobes while also allowing the lifters to slide and spin easier over the lobes. At a lower rpm, the lifters will tend to drag or scrape over the lobes with a higher grinding pressure which can accelerate cam and lifter wear. The higher rpms helps to ‘burnish’ the lobes on a new cam so the lifters slide easier over them. Once this polishing effect has taken place, then the camshaft can tolerate the lower rpms without as much risk of the lobes or lifters wiping out prematurely. If for any reason, the full twenty minutes of breakin time must be cut short for whatever reason (usually overheating), then finish out the remaining time when the engine is restarted. Ie. If the engine is cut off at the twelve minute point, it still needs eight minutes of cam breakin.

It’s very important that the engine with a new camshaft fire off immediately as any excessive grinding on the starter is detrimental to the camshaft and lifters. This means having the carburetor already full of fuel and the distributor timed close enough to fire up right away.

RE: assembly lube

56 effie — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:30:22 GMT

Hey Ted, why do we need to break in a new cam at 2000+ rpm, and why for a minimum of 20 minutes? What happens if you come across a problem and have to shut down the engine after 10 min, do you do another 10 min stint to make the 20 or do you have to start the process from scratch. Regards Peter.

RE: assembly lube

Tjack — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:16:02 GMT

Thanks. Sounds like you are from my generation. Is the car in the photo yours? It's nice. My car is a 55 Victoria - black and white, with the white vinyl and snowflake fabric interior. It is currently in restoration, but was a pretty nice original car. Since the cowl and chassis are being detailed, it will be awhile before the engine is fired off. I just didn't want all the lube on the cam to dribble off while waiting to be installed. Guess I worry too much, but I sure don't want to tear that engine down again. It has been a slow go process. I am in my comfort zone when it comes to body work and paint, but when I do any mechanical work, it means read and reread every manual I can find, and get all the advice I can get. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

RE: assembly lube

ejstith — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:43:37 GMT

"Back in the day" .. lol ... I used STP to lube everything on a new motor. The last one I did was probably back in 81 or 82 and I used STP on that one too. It always worked for me but then again back then they didn't have some special stuff to pre-lube everything with.

RE: assembly lube

Tjack — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:43:21 GMT

Thanks so much for the info.

RE: assembly lube

Ted — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:21:06 GMT

For camshafts and tappet faces, I’m using the ‘black’ Isky Moly lube. For the bearings and rocker shafts, I use the Torco MPZ engine assembly lube and GM EOS for the timing gears, oil pump, rings, and cylinder walls. I do not use the white grease that’s available for any engine assembly operations.

Camshaft breakin procedure is still going to be important regardless of the lube being used so having the engine fire up immediately and running the rpms up a mininum of 2000 rpms for the first twenty minutes is a pre-requisite.

RE: assembly lube

Tjack — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:03:51 GMT

Thanks to all for the responses. I guess I should have asked first, but I have already assembled my engine using Clevite assembly lube. This stuff is really thick, and seems to cling to the cam lobes, but not as well as moly grease. I hope I don't wipe out a cam lobe on break in. Other comments would be appreciated.

RE: assembly lube

charliemccraney — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:00:18 GMT

I used Crane Cams moly assembly lube on the lobes and 30w motor oil on the journals.

RE: assembly lube

55Birdman — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:58:07 GMT

Moly is still around. I would check with NAPA. There is a lube called ISKY REV-LUBE that works well. Speedway Motors has it $8.00 . I used to use axle grease in the 60s. If I didnt have any I used rear end grease. Strange world back then.

RE: assembly lube

timmy4 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:24:35 GMT

:)When I used to rebuild engines for a research lab we used to lubricate the cam by placing it on a rag and squirt it with 30 weight oil.

assembly lube

Tjack — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:13:34 GMT

It has been many years since I rebuilt an engine. The last time was in the late 80's. At that time I used a lube called moly grease to lubricate my new stock cam for break in. This time, I had trouble finding it. The parts stores around here all recommended Clevite assembly lube. Is this adequate for breaking in a new stock cam? Advice appreciated.