Lube for valve stems?

General engine tech -- Drag Racing to Circle Track

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modok
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by modok »

Let me know when there is something better than hypoid gear oil.
Never been aware of a best brand but some smell worse than others.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by Schurkey »

Curious: If using "hypoid gear oil" on bronze guides, wouldn't you have to be careful to get the stuff suitable for manual transmissions rather than the stuff that supposedly "attacks" "yellow metal"?

This might be a matter of "GL4" rather than "GL5", but maybe it's not that simple.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by MELWAY »

I have been using penngrade Nitro 70W for many years
No issues. I agree solid grease could cause issues
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by n2omike »

Permatex Ultra Slick
Have been using it on everything. Super thick, sticky liquid. Will not use a paste of any kind, as they turn into a solid over time, and gum up if an engine is going to sit for a long period of time. Lubriplate and even Redline assembly lube that comes in the little tubs are guilty here. Lubriplate turns into concrete that is really hard to clean off, and Redline also turns into a solid.
Can also purchase Permatex Ultra Slick at about any auto parts store.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by Tom68 »

Just used 15W 40 break in oil, had it for the engine build so figured it'd do for the assembly oil can.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by Bryan Maloney »

I use 50 wt Valvoline VR1 for head assembly.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by rebelrouser »

WOW quite a thread. I use Lucas and 20W 50 Valvoline mixed 50/50 as assembly oil for just about everything including guides. With so many shops using so many different kinds of assembly lubes. Are there any scientific reasons to use one over the other? Or is it just personal preference and what they had lying around? I have always worried about cylinder heads laying around for a while after building, because I am sure thinner pre-lubes would run down the guides when they sit.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by Caprimaniac »

Shite! Title of thread made me realize I didn’t lube the stems on the heads assembeled last winter. Or did I? Memory fading once more…
Would normally use assy lube, lightly brushed.

Howerver p-bronze should be self libricating, right? And when pouring oil over the springs/ heads before startup might seep some oil in?
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

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Oh, gosh… I’m a guru right now… How long has that been going on? Don’t think I’m worthy of the title, though.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

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Caprimaniac wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:05 am Oh, gosh… I’m a guru right now… How long has that been going on? Don’t think I’m worthy of the title, though.
At post number 1000.
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Re: Lube for valve stems?

Post by juuhanaa »

Caprimaniac wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:05 am Oh, gosh… I’m a guru right now… How long has that been going on? Don’t think I’m worthy of the title, though.
Buy a hotpass and dispel the darkness :D



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