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Product details
EMPI 27-0160-0 Moly Assembly Lube is a 1/4 oz. tube of moly-based engine assembly lubricant, applied to bearing surfaces, camshaft lobes, and cam followers during assembly to protect them at first start-up and through break-in. Air-cooled VW engines use flat-tappet lifters, and the lobe-to-lifter contact carries heavy load before oil pressure builds. EMPI places this lube right alongside its performance lifters.
EMPI's Type 1 performance camshafts each come with a tube of assembly lube, and EMPI says to install a new cam with new lifters. Order this tube when you need more than the cam supplied, when your cam came without any, or when you want to coat main and rod bearing surfaces during a rebuild. It is a different product from EMPI's moly C.V. joint grease (86-3000 and 86-3005), which is for packing C.V. joints.
Technical Details
- Manufacturer: EMPI
- Manufacturer part number: 27-0160-0
- Type: moly assembly lube
- Size: 1/4 oz. tube
- Use: bearing surfaces, cam lobes, and cam followers during assembly
Fitment & Compatibility
Assembly lube is not model-specific. It is used during any engine build and is most often ordered with cam and lifter work on air-cooled VW engines.
Installation & Tuning Notes
Coat each cam lobe, each lifter face, and the bearing surfaces as the engine goes together. For running, EMPI advises that flat-tappet cams need ZDDP or ZDTP, either in the oil you choose or added to it, and notes that reduced ZDDP in modern oil specs has been linked to flat-tappet cam failures.
Common Questions
My EMPI cam came with lube. Do I need this too?
Only if you need more, for example to coat bearing surfaces as well as the cam and lifters.
What oil should I run after assembly?
EMPI says flat-tappet cams need ZDDP or ZDTP in the oil.
