Cam Lube

[OldRedFord]

What is the best lube to use on your cams when putting the motor together? I was thinking of getting some Isky Rev Lube to coat the lobes and lifters with.

Then of course adding ZDDP to the oil for break in with something as GM EOS, or Crower ZDDPlus.

After the engine has been broken in and a few oil changes gone through it, do I need to still add ZDDP to my motor or no? Or would it be a good idea to keep adding it with every oil change?

[iamthewreckingcrew]

Pretty sure you don't need to add the ZDDP after break in.

[BobbyFord]

If you run Valvoline Racing oil, then you do not need to add ZDDP after your cam break in. Valvoline VR1 has enough zinc. I'm paranoid and will be running, Roush or Brad Penn break in oil (prolly with ZDDPlus), initially when I start my 460, then VR1 after that.

[convincor]

I use Shell Rotela-T. It still has 1200 ppm ZPPD and use the assembly lube from the cam supplier. Never had a failure.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/shell-r ... 62437.html
http://www.shellusserver.com/ubbthreads ... 3#Post3166
From the shell forum: "Shell Rotella T Multigrade Oil SAE 15W-40 with Triple Protection Technology, our API CJ-4/SM specification product, typically contains about 1200 ppm zinc and 1100 ppm phosphorous as manufactured."

[Dragon]

I use rotella 15-40 in my truck engine at every change.

[cdeal28078]

I use rotella 15-40 in my truck engine at every change.

All I use. We use to use Molykote all of the time at the power company as a lub. on electrical breakers. These were 600-13.8KV breakers. Tough stuff. I still have a tub of it
clint

[Dragon]

It sure is Tough stuff. Until I ran out every engine I built had silvery grey in the oil. I just haven't built any engines since I ran out. After my next job I am buying another container. It is getting close to the time to build one of my torque monsters.

[Darren]

I'll second the Rotella. On the other hand...I've used just plain oil and have never had a problem.

Assembly lube might be a waste of money. I've used bearing grease and plain ol' Valvoline for that task and again...no failures to date. I would bet that the care and preparation you take in assembling an engine has more to do with it that what brand of lubrication you put on your bearing surfaces. Maybe the fancy stuff adds peace of mind?

[Dragon]

Well like I said MolyKote on everything made the day after race weekend look like new engine assembly there was so little wear. So that little cost was worth it plus in my classes both Drag and Road Course I was #1 or 2 all the time. So some extra little trick helped keep me there.

[DuckRyder]

The Isky rev lube is good stuff.

Most cam kits come with moly lube for the lobes - USE IT If you bought a cam or kit without it, buy a lube designed for the purpose, preferably from the cam manufacturer so that you don't get warranty grief if it fails.

FOLLOW the cam manufacturer's break in instructions and use a Zink (ZDDP) rich oil or additive.

Cam Shaft Lubricants at Summit

Edit: Oh, and word on the street is that EOS is no longer ZDDP rich.

[cdeal28078]

Use something! All you have to do is go to Google and type in cam failure and break in and see how many cams have failed during break in the last couple of years. People say zinc was taken out of the oil. I don't know. I do know I have a friend that lost a comp cam cam during break in and they gave him trouble about it but finally warrantied it. The 5 5.0's I rebuilt one was a roller, the other 4 I used what came in the rebuild kit, Molly lube and Rottela and had no failures.
clint

[OldRedFord]

The cam came with lube, its just there is never enough for my liking. By the time y9ou get all the cam lobes covered good and the gear that drives the distributor I have used it all. None left for the lifters.

Thats interesting about the EOS. Guess Ill have to get something else, and some VR1.

Oh is 10w30 the same as 30 weight oil?

[bb429power]

If you run Valvoline Racing oil, then you do not need to add ZDDP after your cam break in. Valvoline VR1 has enough zinc. I'm paranoid and will be running, Roush or Brad Penn break in oil (prolly with ZDDPlus), initially when I start my 460, then VR1 after that.

I use the VR1 high zinc formula for the break in. It requires no additive and its the only oil that I use in my 69 Cougar. Its the best you can get.