Just a curiosity question: If you use assembly lube on everything, will pre-oiling the system to running pressure remove the bulk of the protective lube, defeating its purpose? (Oil pressure comes up very quickly while cranking, so maybe it's a moot question.)

 

No, it doesn't wipe off that quickly

 

It's best to pre-lube, tools are cheap and readily available, it's also possible to make your own

 

I always pre oil, not so much for the bearings, but components like the valve train, and priming the pump itself. You are also verifying that the oil pump works. I don’t think pre oiling will remove the film of moly

 

On a roller cam engine I use absolutely zero assembly lube. I will put a dab of moly on the tip of the pushrod to the rocker arm, and some on the distributor gear.....that's it.
On a flat tappet the only other place to use moly is of course the cam lobes.....smothered with moly.
When the oil pump is driven with a primer......the are only two areas the oil comes out of.....the rocker arms at the pushrod, and the main/rod bearings......the cylinders, timing chain and cam are all splash oiled.....
Why do I not use assembly lube? Because it isn't necessary.....once the engine is running there is no assembly lube, so why do you need it when you assemble an engine?
I have had this argument a thousand times and I stand my ground on this......I use 20w50 oil or even sometimes a 90w gear oil in places......
Main/Rod bearings do not touch each other if put together properly, if they do, it is all over. Flat Tappet lifters get the moly.....Rollers get a dip in gear oil, just the roller part. The timing chain gets a coat of oil.......distributor gear gets moly......cylinders get a light coat of oil by hand.
I do not want that thick red **** all over my build, or my hands and it is just another thing to buy.....
The lifters are always installed dry inside, never soak them or plunge them......the #1 reason you do prime an pushrod engine is to fill the lifters in their respective positions....this is one of the many things that will ensure a quick start up......

Jebby