The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop Assembly lube

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrs-99005
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cro-86096
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/red-80312
For camshafts, you want a specific type of grease like I linked above, the liquid lubes will run off and leave most of it in the oil pan. The true cam grease is a black moly paste or grease. The Redline assembly lube I linked is good for everything else. If the engine is going to be started right away, as in a day or so of final assembly, then liquid assembly lube will be fine. If it is going to set, then be sure to use a paste and limit the amount you rotate it once assembled. Every rotation wipes the lobes clean.

lumbersawer Used to use EOS GM cam break-in lube when it left went to just oil gonna pressure prime anyway,since this zinc stink has come along now need to deal with that. Read where you need to mix the zinc additive in your oil to be sure it's available during break-in. Or use a zinc base break-in oil. On hi-revers with a roller cam we use zinc 10w30 for 2000 rpm break-in run. Could use 15w40 with zinc in it like OTR truckers use.

I’ve heard of folks using Lucas oil as assembly lube. Anyone have experience with that?

Lucas has bunches of different products. Which one? I believe they might make one specifically for engine assembly. If you're referring to the engine oil additive- - - -no!
Jerry

Yep I’ve heard of folks using the thick oil additive.

Unless it's a lot different from STP (which I doubt) it would be hard to persuade me to do that.
Jerry

There’s a “project farm” video where he compares New STP, Old STP, and modern 5w-30 in several tests. Both the old and new STP had shockingly low levels of zinc, even just compared to the 5w-30.

Wonder if that aspect contributed to your failures with STP?

That's possible. My experience with oil-related problems with engines I assembled with STP was back in the late 1960's and early 70's before zinc additives in motor oil were an issue. Just to convince myself what I was experiencing was a fluke, I built one more engine (an air cooled Volkswagen) with STP and it had chronic low oil pressure. I sold the car to my brother, and he wrecked it before we got a chance to do an autopsy on the engine problem. Since then I've used a dedicated assembly lube.
Jerry

https://youtu.be/ypQwgm1H2NU Here is some else to watch.

lumbersawyer left info went in clouds