Cam break in lube - same as cv joint grease?

ratwing · Post by **ratwing** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 2:05 pm

I've been told I can use cv joint grease (the thin moly stuff) instead

Would it do the job?

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 6:15 pm

If it were mine I would buy a sachet of the high zinc cam brake in compound and use that. It may well be the same base molly slip grease however I very much doubt it has the extra Zinc sulphate. But really the question is, is it that much cheaper? ie does the amount you save by using CV grease cover the cost of a new cam, tappets, bearing set, oil pump and filter and gasket set if it turns out to not to be the same and you mash two or three cam lobes through your new engine.
best regards
Mike

Baracus · Post by **Baracus** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:34 pm

They're both colloidal moly disulphide but the dedicated cam stuff is much thicker in consistency, with the cam lube stuff being more like a thick paste. For the sake of three quid i'd get the proper stuff.

ratwing · Post by **ratwing** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:20 am

I did wonder, it wasn't so much a money saving idea, more because I'm out of cam lube (its been a few years since I last replaced one) but have cv grease and a mate said use that instead.
Will get some more of the right stuff - you're right Mike, its not worth risking it.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:14 pm

I recall some old cam lube's being likened to very thick gear oil.

Torco and others sell products you can apply, but I'm sure some moly grease would do fine. Oil will...or should find it's way around the engine quickly.

ratwing · Post by **ratwing** » Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:35 pm

Using moly grease instead was just something suggested to me that I thought I'd ask about. But I've ordered some proper cam lube, no point taking a chance with the new parts.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:51 pm

I use the thick arp cam lube when building as it stays where you put it rather than running off like the red stuff in a sachet. So you can leave it on the parts for months without having to worry about it running off. But I also add a bottle of Comp Cams Hi Zinc lube to the oil from new or when I do an oil change. I normally pour the bottle of lube into a mixing jug with a pint of oil and stir it well. Then I add half of the engine oil and pour the mix in before topping it off with the rest of the engine oil.

Yes I know!
I'm a bit anal at times... But its worked ok so far

DaviesDJ · Post by **DaviesDJ** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 9:13 pm

Colloidal graphite paste - Graphogen. Torco is also good. But my mate Richard showed me a camshaft of an engine that was never collected by its owner (after rebuild) - been sitting there since 1997, still covered in Graphogen. Some use in on their bores, so e just for bearings.