From workshop people to DIY mechanics, building the perfect engine from scratch is something everyone loves. However, the problem appears when you try to choose an engine assembly lube.
That’s why we thought, why not share our thoughts and opinions on this matter? So after some long-tiring nights of research, we’ve managed to put together our list of the best engine assembly lube.
We’ll go over every product on this list and show you both the good and the bad sides. Apart from that, we also included the most common engine assembly lube problems and how you can fix those.
So, sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy this ride with us-
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Top 5 Engine Assembly Lubes
1. Permatex 81950 Ultra Slick Engine Assembly Lube
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We’re starting off with the Permatex Ultra Slick Engine Assembly Lube. Some people might even say this is the best assembly lube for engine building them. And we can’t really deny that.
This lube sticks to the engine components without even trying too hard(yes, pun intended). Most of the credit for that goes to the excellent formulation of this product.
Not only you’ll get perfect performance with this lube but also you won’t have to deal with scuffing and galling. People who are looking for the best camshaft assembly lube can surely take a look at this product.
Pros
- The excellent formulation provides great performance
- Prevents scuffing and galling
- Adhesion of the lube is top-notch
- Has perfect viscosity
Cons
- Quite slippery
2. Sta-Lube SL3331 Extreme Pressure Engine Assembly Lube
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Next up, we have the Sta-Lube SL3331 Extreme Pressure Engine Assembly Lube, the best camshaft assembly lube you can get right now.
Now, what makes Sta-Lube Engine Assembly Lube so great?
The main reason behind this is that it’s an extreme pressure lube. As we all know assembly lubes have a hard time lubricating all the engine components.
But with this product, those things won’t be an issue. Apart from that, it has anti-seizing so you’ll be protected from galling, seizing, and corrosion.
Pros
- Extreme pressure lube
- Has anti-seizing feature
- Lubricates for up to 6 months
Cons
- Some people complain that it’s a bit runny
3. Red Line 80319 Liquid Assembly Lube
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Now, let’s about the product that a lot of professional racers consider the best engine assembly lube for long-term storage.
The Red Line assembly lube has been in the market for a long time now. As the years passed, they made sure to improve their formula.
The end result is a lube that ensures complete protection through start-up. Most importantly, it doesn’t interfere with motor oil.
For the perfect engine health, this can be a great choice. But don’t think that we’re only suggesting it because racers use it.
Pros
- Dissolves perfectly into the motor oil
- Doesn’t drip from the components
- Sticks to the components without dripping
Cons
- A bit pricier than other competitors
4. Lucas Oil LUC10153 Assembly Lube
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The Lucas Assembly Lube review got us thinking. We were thinking about the best motorcycle engine assembly lube in the market and this was one of the top contenders.
We thought, does this semi-synthetic assembly have what it takes?
Well, after enough tests and research, we were convinced. From lubing every inch of the engine to protecting it from rust and corrosion, it’ll do it all.
It doesn’t matter if you’re getting it for your car or motorcycle, it’ll make sure to give its best for both.
Pros
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Eliminates dry starts
- Great viscosity
- Lubricates for a long time
Cons
- The stickiness is too high for some people
5. Royal Purple 01335 Max-Tuff Synthetic Assembly Lubricant
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Finally, let’s talk about the Royal Purple 01335 Max-Tuff Synthetic Assembly Lubricant. Royal purple is by far the most expensive brand on our list.
And their products speak for themselves. The viscosity is perfect for most components. Even if you leave the lube on components for a long time, it won’t be a problem.
In fact, people actually admit that it works both as lube and grease. So, even though you’d have to spend a few extra bucks, the performance you’ll get will make sure it’s worth it.
Pros
- Perfect viscosity for various components
- Works both as lube and grease
- Prevents metal-to-metal contact
- Capable of high temperatures
Cons
- A bit expensive
Problems You’ll Face While Using Engine Assembly Lube
You can’t expect a perfect engine build without using engine assembly lubes. But there are parts that make it hard for the lube to reach. Some parts won’t hold the oil for long.
What we’re trying to say is there are problems you need to acknowledge. That’s why we came up with some ways to address these problems.
Hard Engine Turnover
A lot of people tend to use SAE 30-grade motor oil and STP for building their engines. We’ve seen people who love to put that stiff thing all over their engine.
But that very stiff goo can lead to hard engine turnover problems. The engines won’t have sufficient lubing when you follow this method.
Nonetheless, we figured out an easy solution to this problem. Professional engine builders pre-lube the engines beforehand. So, we thought why not pre-lube the engines by using pressure?
To pressurize the oil lineups, you can spin the oil pump for some time. That’ll give you the oil pressure you need.
The bottom line is, that you can use oils of indistinguishable viscosity. If you do it right, we can guarantee you that you’ll solve this problem once and for all.
Oil Drainage During Storage
Your flat tappet lifters, camshaft lobes, and pushrod tips don’t really know what lubricants feel like. They’ll only get a splash of lube while the engine is running. And even that happens if luck is on their side.
We know the obvious thing. You can easily push some lubricants over those areas. But that doesn’t really solve your problem. You see, the oil needs to be stored for quite some time in those areas.
So, the best thing you can do is to use grease. If you think about it, grease is basically oil mixed with a soap-like substance.
It makes sure that the oil is always there in the suspension system. Later on, when there are enough heat and motion, it releases the oil to do its job.
Racers use 60 or 70-grade heavy oil grease for their vehicles. Some even opt for new generation gels. But you don’t need that sort of thing.
When choosing grease, you’ll need to keep two things in mind-
Oil-soluble
Oil solubility is a must for engine grease. The days of white paste grease are over. The main reason behind this, those are not oil soluble. Moreover, the oil filters will show a lot of white residue.
Although if you’re someone who works on their engine every single day, that’s completely fine. But here’s the thing: most people won’t even give their vehicle servicing.
Extreme Pressure Grease
Generally, it’s a good practice to apply extreme pressure grease on engines. It’s more than important for people who have stiff valve springs and high lift cams.
The reason behind this is, that not many greases can’t really ensure the protection of the components where the area is small.
So, when you use extreme pressure grease that’ll make sure to protect every single component. Think of it as cheap insurance for the components.
FAQs
What is the best type of engine assembly grease?
Can I use grease instead of assembly lube?
Is engine assembly lube necessary?
How long does assembly lube last?
To Summarize
So, that’s all we had to say about our list of best engine assembly lube. We tried to cover everything related to engine assembly lubes but there might have been a few mistakes on our end.
That’s why we have the comment section for you. Head over there and we’ll see what we can do for you.
