Ken in AZ

Hey all - question on cylinder/piston lubrication on startup. When assembling my new engine I had read to break in the engine using ATF as the cylinder lubricant to ensure proper ring seating to the cylinders.

I have since seen the use of ATF to clean the cylinders but to also lubricate with engine oil during assembly.

Since I didn't add the engine oil here is my question....

When priming the engine I plan on using a pressurized oil source and rotating the engine by hand first to ensure the lifters/cam/crank/rockers/valves all get oil. Will this be enough to lubricate the pistons in the cylinders as well? Should I squirt some oil in the plug hole and rotate in addition to that?

thanks for your help.

Ken

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

No, It will not lubricate the walls.

I would squirt some oil in there with the plugs out and turn it over a few times.

Wolftrk99

iTrader: (5)

Another thing to do is to pull fuel pump fuse or disconnect your coils and crank it over with the starter... Gets oil moving via the oil pump which will fully lubricate the engine while you crank it.... When i install my pistons i coat the cylinder walls and rings with oil and drop em in, so long as they werent dry going in youre fine....

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

I lube the pistons with motor oil when installing them.

Personally I prefer to fill the oil system with a priming tool.

All OEM's recommend the same thing on New engine's.

A new engine should light off right away.

CF7GO

iTrader: (4)

I think you'll be good if you install them with oil and use a pressurized oil primer. I made one from a weed sprayer. worked pretty slick. not the fastest thing but it worked really good.

Ken in AZ

Thanks for the replies! I now have a game plan.