Lube for valve stems?
Moderator: Team
Re: Lube for valve stems?
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.
Never been aware of a best brand but some smell worse than others.
-
- HotPass
- Posts: 1863
- Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:42 am
- Location: The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Re: Lube for valve stems?
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.
This might be a matter of "GL4" rather than "GL5", but maybe it's not that simple.
Re: Lube for valve stems?
I have been using penngrade Nitro 70W for many years
No issues. I agree solid grease could cause issues
No issues. I agree solid grease could cause issues
3370lb Sedan 9.89@136MPH 358chevN/A
Re: Lube for valve stems?
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.
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.
Re: Lube for valve stems?
Just used 15W 40 break in oil, had it for the engine build so figured it'd do for the assembly oil can.
Ignorance leads to confidence more often than knowledge does.
Nah, I'm not leaving myself out of the ignorant brigade....at times.
Nah, I'm not leaving myself out of the ignorant brigade....at times.
-
- New Member
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 3:04 am
- Location: Martinsville VA
-
- Guru
- Posts: 1948
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:25 pm
- Location:
Re: Lube for valve stems?
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.
- Caprimaniac
- Guru
- Posts: 1064
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:17 pm
- Location: NORWAY
Re: Lube for valve stems?
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?
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?
How to turn GURU in an instant.....
- Caprimaniac
- Guru
- Posts: 1064
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:17 pm
- Location: NORWAY
Re: Lube for valve stems?
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.
How to turn GURU in an instant.....
Re: Lube for valve stems?
At post number 1000.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.
It's a longevity thing. In my case it just means I've asked a lot of questions!
Kevin
Re: Lube for valve stems?
Buy a hotpass and dispel the darknessCaprimaniac 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.
-juhana
A balanced person dares to stagger, and modify ports bigger
Re: Lube for valve stems?
It seems like any assembly lube for the valve stem would eventually evaporate out of the valve guide since oil is not being introduced into the the valve guide during normal operation(assuming the valve stem seals are doing their job) or else you'd have burning oil/exhaust smoke.
I definitely don't like the idea of not lubricating it on reassembly, but oil film doesn't last forever. The valve stem moves within it dry after some months or years of operation. So is it truly necessary?
I'm wondering if anyone has considered using some form of "dry lube" like Teflon/PTFE spray or graphite. These are supposed to withstand very high heat, they aren't "oily" so there's no liquid component to evaporate out, and they are supposed to be very long lasting, essentially permanent lubrication.
I definitely don't like the idea of not lubricating it on reassembly, but oil film doesn't last forever. The valve stem moves within it dry after some months or years of operation. So is it truly necessary?
I'm wondering if anyone has considered using some form of "dry lube" like Teflon/PTFE spray or graphite. These are supposed to withstand very high heat, they aren't "oily" so there's no liquid component to evaporate out, and they are supposed to be very long lasting, essentially permanent lubrication.
-
- HotPass
- Posts: 1863
- Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:42 am
- Location: The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Re: Lube for valve stems?
Valve stem seals allow a CONTROLLED amount of lube down the valve stems to lube the guide.
They don't eliminate all oil flow to the guide/stem.
They don't eliminate all oil flow to the guide/stem.
-
- Guru
- Posts: 4610
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:31 am
- Location: Heading for a bang up with Andromeda as we all are.
Re: Lube for valve stems?
X2 with the above.
I have always used a 30w oil for assembly until Mobil1 came around.
Never a problem either way if the clearance is good.
I have always used a 30w oil for assembly until Mobil1 came around.
Never a problem either way if the clearance is good.
You can cut a man's tongue from his mouth, but that does not mean he’s a liar, it just shows that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
Re: Lube for valve stems?
I use Torco assembly lube. I haven’t assembled an engine with oil since the early 1990’s.