Engine Assembly lube
 

Just wondering what everyone uses when rebuilding an engine ( 4.0 ) as a pre-lube during the engine assembly. I am about to start building a new motor and was just looking for advice. Thanks in advance for everyone's input......

Engine assembly lube is a special product - and I usually use RedLine's product, it's readily available and works well.

Do not be stingy with the stuff! You can't use too much assembly lube, since it's oil-soluble anyhow, and will help with the slight extra lubrication needed as the engine wears in.

Points to get really happy with:
- All slipper bearings (rods, mains, & cam - the latter if you pull the cam.)
- All tappet feet
- I'll usually put some around the base of the tappet body as well - this helps to prelube the tappet in the bore, so it will start spinning freely
- Wrist pin bores in the piston (it's pressed into the small end, so lubrication there isn't necessary.)
- Rocker arm pivots
- Pushrod ends
- Rocker arm/valve contact patch

Buy the big pot - you'll use at least half of it (if you do the job right,) and it's useful for other things as well (I've found it helpful as a tapping lube for blind holes, since it will catch chips and bring them up easily.) Assembly lube can be a handy thing to have around the fab shop in the first place (I also use it as a mix with grease to pack bearings - cut about one part assembly lube to three parts of a quality moly grease for most roller bearings - use lithium soap-based grease for bearings exposed to water.)

Rotate the crank (moving parts) as little as posible prior to start-up.....assembly lube u can see serves little to no purpose.

vasoline.... that is what we have always used in my the shops that i worked in.