Technical Assembling 302 Heads Question

I just finished porting the heads on a 302 ford with a stock roller cam.
I’ve lapped the valves and scrubbed them clean and it’s time to reassemble them.

I’m reusing the stock rockers and valves and kept them organized so they’ll go back in the same location. I bought upgraded valve springs and have checked installed height.

My question is about lubricants for the parts I’m installing.
Some sources say use motor oil, some say assembly lube. My shop manual says polyethylene grease.
The instructions for the valves spring kit was silent on lube.

 

I've always used Lubri-Plate No.105 white lithium grease on valves and rocker arms.

 

It doesn't matter so much what you use, as that you use something. If the engine is going to be run soon, oil should be fine, it's what I use. If it'll sit a while, might consider an assembly lube or possibly grease.

 

Pre-lube engine would be 'best approach'....
next squirt oil on 'em before firing-up.
6sally6

 

I use assembly lube with a little oil on it, ant work the valve up and down a few times to ensure it gets everywhere

 

Sounds like there’s not a definite answer other than something is better than nothing.

I assembled one head last night using oil on everything.
When I install the head on the car I’ll use assembly lube on the valve tips and pushrods

 

Assembly lube, or some other heavy oil. I've never used a paste lube out of a tube, so I can't answer that part. I always use an assembly lube oil. Never had a failure.
The "engines" (crank case oil) oil will take time to get into the guides, so something heavy is a good idea to help keep things lubed until the crankcase oil finally makes it to the valve stems.

And NO...pre-lubing, as noted above, will NOT get to the valves ! There's no pressured oil that goes into the valve/valve guide locations.

Mike

 

Oil can't get to the valve stems very easily, but it also can't escape very easily. Take apart a head that's been sitting for a few years, you'll probably find sufficient oil on the valve stems. I know you will on the bearings.

 

I agree with Squirrel. I'd like to add that I use 50 wt. racing oil that I have left over from the dragster. It will take longer for the thicker oil to drain off is the engine is left stationary for an extended time period.

 

I've never used anything except motor oil. I either dipped the stems in a can or jar with enough oil in it to oil the stem or just took the squirt can and put a shot of oil down each guide and spun the valves when I put them in.