molybdenum lubricant

[nastyjones]

An engine builder friend recommends using molybdenum lube while assembling my engine. He isn't sure if motorcycles are different than cars as far as where this lube is to be used however.
Should I use it for crank & cam journal, cam chain, valves etc. Where exactly should this product be used?

[Deeds]

Moly Lubes

Hey! Nastyjones! No!
You should only use oil specifically for motorcycle engines when doing a rebuild. Two reasons for this, 1. If you are fitting new pistons and/or rings to a freshly rebored cylinder, moly will prevent the rings bedding in. This will result in poor compression and perhaps burning some oil. 2. Moly based additives will get into your clutch plates and make the clutch slip. Replacing the friction plates is the only cure.
STP and Wynns additives can also bring on the same problems.
Is that reason enough? Don't do it!
Good luck,

Deeds

[nastyjones]

Not true!!!

Page 57 of my Clymer manual clearly states, & I quote "Lubricate camshaft lobes & bearing surfaces with molybdenum disulfide lubricant"

The question was, should I use moly anywhere else? All the engines internals are dry. What should be used where?

[Buffalo Breath]

moly

You wont be using enough moly to effect the clutch, cam lobes is a good place as well as the guides,and cam bearings if you have a roller crank dont use there, but in a babbit bearings its good, the reason you use this in stead of oil is it will stay intact while engine is in storage such as a crate engine that may sit awhile and also to give a lube that wont just wipe off of a surface, while trying to start the engine before oil pressure gets to where its needed, use oil on the rings and wrist pins, trans only needs oil,there are some new assembly lubes on the market that are better than straight moly sta-lube has a red slime that is excellent, also when ready to fire the engine up, prime the system by cranking the engine with our any plugs to bring the oil pressure up first, a trick I use is to soak the oil filter before I install it since a dry filter is the biggest block for the oil to over come, when priming, remember oil evert thing up real good on assmebly

[Guy]

The only place recommended to use moly on reassembly is the cam lobes and journals. It's to give them protection while the oil is waiting to get up there. Ordinary engine oil is fine too: lots of it in that area.

[Deeds]

My apologies, I stand corrected!