Wouldn't using the properly rated oil at the OEM specified interval would make this failure mode mostly non existent - or is that incorrect?
I am clueless mostly on engine oil chemistry so I am here to be educated. The premise of the OP is does Moly help with Friction wear / prolong engine life as that doesn't seem to be born out in real life examples, and the counter argument was that Friction is only 1 of 4 modes of wear.
Rare exceptions admitted, engine failures due to adhesive, fatigue or corrosive failure are functions of bad design or other root causes - like sticking EGR or lack of maintenance, not engine oil chemistry?
The premise of ILSAC 6B is to lower LSPI - so that's a possible oil failure mode correction for oil outside of friction but that's a fairly new thing for fairly specific engine types, so barring that - I haven't read or seen anything that would change my opinion.
However like I mentioned I am here to be educated, so am happy to change my mind.
If you're using the correct maintenance shedule.... severe duty where severe duty is due. Are you?
Engines start ageing from day 1. That's the last day they were in new condition. So at what day do they get worn enough to consider them damaged, or damaging the oil?
Anyway, Moly.... I would expect it to help with wear and against friction in the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime, which you spend more time in when the oil is thinner vs a thicker oil.