Ok, of course if I had a clean work space and was starting the motor tomorrow or at least sometime this week, I would use engine assembly lube on every bearing. The problem I have is a.) I am in lubbock, TX and even in my garage a LOTTTT of dust gets under the door even when closed. I have assembled it w/out engine assembly lube for that reason because I know dirt on a bearing would be disasterous. The cam will have engine assembly lube all over it, so I am just talking crank bearings. That was my reasoning behind no engine assembly lube, but now it seems some people have stated that this is a bad idea. Will this cause problems on engine startup even if I coat everything w/ oil before starting, and prime the oil pump MANY times?

thanks for the lhelp

 

I would say lube it regardless of priming. It's doubtful oil will get to everywhere it needs to when nothing is spinning. However, if you have someone turn the engine over w/a breaker bar while you're manning the drill you should be able to get away with it. When we were rebuilding engines in school we never used assembly lube on the crank bearings anyway, just a light coat of oil. The cam and valvetrain parts are what takes the most abuse during a new startup, anyway.

If I were you I'd lube the bearings and prime it as well, even if you have to shove a bunch of towels under the door to keep the dust out. It shouldn't be too bad if you just do prep work, I made a makeshift paint booth in one of my apartments out of trash bags when I was refinishing some furniture.

 

No way in hell to keep the dust out of it except assemble the motor and wrap it until I can afford an oil pan (last motor blew a hole in the stock one). You are saying take off conn rods and re-tq them down w/ lube on the crank?

I have heard people say they dont use lube on crank to connecting rods, where are you people?

 

Rebuilding their engines I suspect I would use lube on everything I could, I am a very avid believe on grease and lubricant on anything I do down to the spark plugs and boots. And if there's a will there's a way. I'm sure you can... put spray insulation foam along the holes to keep dust out lol. If ya don't put the lube on there I'd be willing to bet, it would cause excessive wear to the berings and crank the first time you start it.

 

dude those new heavy duty heafty trash bags are great for keeping stuff out of an engine. I used a couple last month whenI was reassemblein my block. As far as assembly lube, It couldnt hurt but like what was already said you can get by with a coat of oil. Just make sure it gets primed good.

 

well F it, im re-doing it w/ engine assembly lube... you got the doubt in my head.

 

Do the lube of your choice and wrap it up like a sore d***. Ya can get the contractor's garbage/clean up bags at Lowes and they are BIG and thick.
If ya don't things might be rusty next month if it's anything like here.

 

NEVER put a crank in without lube on it. You have to rotate it to assemble the rods and that would be disastrous. Racer, back me up on this one.

I like a combination of STP oil treatment and motor oil. Sticky as S@#T and doesn't cost much either.

If you are concerned about contamination, when you prime the oil system, change the oil a few times before you fire it up.

 

Yep he's right,a dry start is not good for one.Turning it without something on it isn't good either. Ya liable to have that too if ya don't spend a bunch of time priming it and turning it and when ya turn it,it could have dry parts the oil hasn't got to yet.
Ya can use Speedy's mix or the red stuff or I use Lubriplate 105 white grease(cheap). there is all kind of stuff to use just something besides oil if it is to sit for a while.

 

I bought a couple extra rod bearings and used those along with the old crank bearings and an old piston to do all the fitting, stroker clearancing, and dirty work and used the new bearings for final assembly. I use the thick royal purple assy lube also, the other stuff works fine, but I would never do it dry. I would think if you do it dry, you might wipe the bearings before you ever get it started. I also use the trash bags to keep the engine clean from dust every moment I'm not working on it.

 

k cool, I will re-assemble the rods with engine assembly lube (i have 2 tubes of it) when it is time for the motor to try and run. Didnt take THAT long. The motor is wrapped in seran-wrap right now, so I dont have to worry until I put that lube in there and try and get back to work... sucks being a broke college kid.

 

I thought the lube question was answered in your last thread.

If you are going to assemble and engine, you have to use lube. Either that or don't assemble it and do it later. Use several bags to wrap it, if you are paranoid. Just make sure any temperature changes don't make it sweat.