My 15 year old son and I are rebuilding a 350 for his 72 Chevelle. It has been 20-25 years since I have rebuilt engines. At that time we just used motor oil for initial lube when installing pistons into the cylinders. I have searched the archives here, and found reference to ATF instead. Just so I don't do anything stupid......I'm assuming this is Automatic Transmission Fluid. What is everybody using today? Oil, transmission fluid, or is there some other great product on the market? Also what should I use to clean the bores with? I was planning on regular mineral spirits. The pistons are hypereutectic.
Thanks,
Duane and Greg

Wash the cylinders with hot soapy water and a stiff brush. Keep washing until a white paper towel soaked with WD40, wiped in the cylinder, stays white. The honing stone leaves a lot of abrasive in the pores of the bore. This stuff will chew up rings very quickly. I use 30wt oil for lubing the rings and bores. Although you didn't ask, I like Clevite's BearingGard for lubing the rod and main bearings.

Originally posted by Duanedeb:
My 15 year old son and I are rebuilding a 350 for his 72 Chevelle. It has been 20-25 years since I have rebuilt engines. At that time we just used motor oil for initial lube when installing pistons into the cylinders. I have searched the archives here, and found reference to ATF instead. Just so I don't do anything stupid......I'm assuming this is Automatic Transmission Fluid. What is everybody using today? Oil, transmission fluid, or is there some other great product on the market? Also what should I use to clean the bores with? I was planning on regular mineral spirits. The pistons are hypereutectic.
Thanks,
Duane and Greg =
Yes, ATF is excellent & I use very little.
Wash the bores with soap & water. Nothing better.
You will need to use WD40 or an equivalent as soon as you are done or they will rust.
Do not use solvent to clean the bores.
I wipe the bores with ATF & a paper towel before assembly & put a very small amount of oil on the rings.
Do not "dunk" the pistons in oil like was done years ago as the new rings are all pre lapped & bore finishes are very smooth & it can cause glazing.
Another excellent product is Childs & Alberts Assembly lube, it is designed specifically for rings but ATF has worked for me & a number of other performance shops for years including some of the very high end cup shops ;)
You can also use light weight oil & a lot of people do without problems but I prefer ATF or C&A
Started trying C&A about 6 or 8 months ago & I like it.
It has some hi pressure additives in it but is not thick like an assembly lube which you do not want on your cylinder walls at start up.

+++++EDIT++++
Hi Pat, graemlins/waving.gif
I agree on the Clevite bearing guard on the bearings, excellent stuff & all we use any more

Thanks guys. We cleaned it today. The crankshaft and pistons go in in the morning.