Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire STP?

The mechanic I'm referring to never started an engine without either. running it with a belt, or pulling in a mile or so.

His overhauls would last for years.

Actually if you dip a screwdriver tip in that stuff you CANNOT hold it by the tip it's just too damn slippery.

We use BG Engine Assembly Lube on cam bearings, rods and mains when assembling motors. Spin them over without spark plugs installed until oil is flowing through the cam bearings, and then start-up and monitor.

I saw a STP oil filter at a Honda dealership in TN this weekend, I was surprised because I didn't think the company was in business anymore. My friend said yeah but I sure remember those stickers.

With the reduction or elimination of ZDDP, the zinc additive that used to be in oil, it is more critical to use a specialized assembly lube. Zinc is a pressure resistant lube especially formulated to eliminate metal to metal contact primarily between the lifters and the cam lobes on a flat tappet cam. Newer engines use roller tappets for a lot of reasons and the valve spring load is significantly less. If at all possible prime the engine oiling system with a drill motor to get the inner oiling passages up to pressure. With flat tappet engines it is best to run a high zinc oil for longer life of the cam and lifters and change it more often.

Maybe an Autozone brand…. They stock them. Iirc made in china.

Rebuilt a lot of engines using STP and white lithium grease mixed 50/50. Also preluded the oil pump with it. In the early 80s I was working for the Lincoln welder dealer here in Anchorage,one of the drilling companies used a lot of STP in their welder engines. I tore one down and cleaned the pistons up and set them on the bench for the night, next day they looked like they were covered in pine sap. I cleaned them up for three days before that stuff quit leaching out. Still use my mix for assembly but won't add it to an engine.

I had a push lawn mower back in the 70’s that began using oil…smoked bad and had many hours on it. Add a little STP with the oil and it stopped smoking. Strong as it was when new and could not wear it out. Have a can that is several years old in my shop. Never used it in anything but that lawn mower….do recall that it would gum up a motor. Must have worked for Richard Petty he won 200 races with that decal on the hood.