Just a couple of engine questions...., On the oil system.... Options

[dbgriffith75]

It's a 2.0 motor with dual carbs on a '75

So I've never had an engine sit so long after reassembly before it's been fired up. But with the hold ups on my resto I haven't had a choice. It's been sitting for about 3 months since I got it put back together.

I did use assembly grease and an STP oil additive during reassembly as reccomended by the shop guy ("the shop guy" being the one whom I dealt with on having my case and heads boiled clean). I used the grease on the main components such as cam and crank bearings and wrist pin bushings because, obviously, it's going stay in place better than a regular oil.

The STP oil additive (as recommended by "the shop guy") I used in places such as the lifters and rocker arms and valves; also in the cylinders for the pistons.

Not that I'm trying to discredit "the shop guy" for recommending the STP as an assembly oil, but I'm just nervous about how well its stayed in place after sitting so long.

But I was also wondering if there's any way to prime the oil circulation system before you fire up an engine after a rebuild? I think this would help if there's not sufficient lubrication in place after it's been sitting. As far as rocker arms and valves go, I can probably pull the tappet covers off and hit those again, but the cylinders in particular are making me nervous. I'd hate to fire it up and scratch the shit out of the cylinder walls.

So what's the verdict here? Thanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Jake Raby]

And never use "grease" when assembling an engine. It's melting point is too high, and until it lmelts oil can't easily break it's barrier.

I don't believe in fancy lubes or assembly grease- ALL I use is the same Brad Penn engine oil that the engine will see when it first fires up and for the rest of it's life.

I assemble by "feel" and those thick, gooey lubes really screw up the things that I feel during assembly. The key is to prime the oil system and spin the engine over with the spark plugs out to achieve oil pressure before initial firing.

The only components that I install with any lube thats different than plain engine oil are the lifters...Thats due to the point loading they see during assembly and initial prime.

Lube EVERYTHING during assembly until it's dripping with oil. NEVER install any two components without liberal amounts of oil!