Suitable Grease for Engines

A special section just for steam engines and boilers, as without these you may as well fit a sail.
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JonRiley56
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Suitable Grease for Engines

Post by JonRiley56 »

Hi Guys,

Any idea how hot the bearings on the connecting rod/eccentrics etc get when we are running ? Ron installed zerks on the bearings on my machine so I can grease them relatively easily. A guy at work suggested Lithium grease, but I am curious as to what temp range material I should use. NAPA has a multipurpose Valvoline product "VALVOLINE® MOLY FORTIFIED MULTIPURPOSE GREASE VV633" that has a preferred max temp in use of 274 F. Is that high enough ? Another option would be Jetlube 30350 (Grainger part 6HAL9), it has a suggested max temp of 325 F.

Any other suggestions ?

thanks

jon
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DetroiTug
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Re: Suitable Grease for Engines

Post by DetroiTug »

Hi Jon,

The M twin is basically the same engine. I just use regular lithium bearing grease for the eccentric straps. Haven't noticed the lower end getting very warm even after steaming for hours. If it got much over 150 degrees I'd be surprised.

-Ron
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barts
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Re: Suitable Grease for Engines

Post by barts »

The eccentric straps on Otter's engine are not hot to the touch after hours of steaming, despite occasional drips from the valve gland.

- Bart
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Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
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