Dried assembly lube question

[Moparguy1]

I have an engine that I bought that had been rebuilt and never started. The assembly lube they used has dried so I am taking it apart to get all the lube cleaned up. What can I use to remove all the lube without hurting the bearing, rods or crank? Also do you think it will be a problem to reuse the bearings after they are cleaned up and relubed?

 

[69Bee]

If it was proper assembly lube, it shouldn't have dried out. Use a rag with WD40 or another petroleum product to clean it. Clean the parts, dry them, then reapply MOLY assembly lube when you put it back together. No need to replace the bearings, just clean them.

 

[Moparguy1]

Thank you for the info. I have heard that some lube will dry out and whatever they used did just that. It was locked up solid but after I loosened up the crank and rod bolts I got it to move. I read somewhere about a guy that had a hard time removing a cam due to the lube drying out and he had to replace the cam bearing.

 

[miller]

All assembly lubes I've used has oil mixed in with it, to help keeping it from drying out.
Anyway...might try clean kerosene, to clean your parts. I've fooled with a few radial engines, that the assembly lube dried out. All the parts were okay, unless wiped, and had a chance to rust.

One note on the bearings, look at them to see if the leaded surface darkened. That's a sign of lead hardening, and the bearings won't act right. I have used light scotchbrite wet with kerosene, to lightly 're-fresh' the leaded surface, taking off the hardened surface coat, with no problems.

Hopefully, your's are in good shape.

 

[Moparguy1]

Will kerosene not hurt anything as long as I relube the bearings?

 

[miller]

Will kerosene not hurt anything as long as I relube the bearings?

No, as long as the bearing's surface is still in good shape. For an engine that sits for a long time, it's oxygen that gets to the metals, and oxidizes.

I've always used kerosene to clean engine parts. In the service manuals, tells to use kerosene. Just be sure all the oiling ports are also clear.

 

[Moparguy1]

Thank you, I plan on taking it apart today and cleaning it all up.

 

[reeltime]

Thank you, I plan on taking it apart today and cleaning it all up.

Royal Purple has a nice assembly lube that is a thick oil product works great. They may have put that white grease assemble goo that has been around since Noah Ark,it will harden up but should wash out varsol . Before starting this engine make sure to install your break in oil into the pan and prime the motor. I would in your case have someone turn the engine over while you prime it so that you can check for proper oil flow in each head making sure the valve train gets well lubricated