Oil Stop Leak

[Larry M.]

I had an oil leak at the front of my 327 which I though was the main seal. Changed the fuel pump and plugged the shipping bolt hole and and it went away....mostly. Now all I have is a periodic drop from both the front and the rear, again most likely the main seals.

A local shop told be that White Shepherd Oil Stop Lead was a good product and might fix this.

Is using this stuff a good thing? Are there downsides or risks? Is there a better product?

Thanks for your advice.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Oil Stop Leak

Larry,
You will get all the snake oil guys out on this one, but what I have seen in the past is that these additives soften up and swell seals because the additive somewhat attacts the rubber. Brake fluid on some rubber does the same thing. Old timers used to ad a little to swell the seals.
I had a power steering seal go out on Xmass eve and my nephew said all he had was brake fluid in his garage. The system was already bad so why not. Never leaked again. You know the best answer but if the rubber is hard or worn it needs to be replaced but some believe that they can buy some time with a additive. The additives do not work on gaskets.
In the past I have done things like trans fluid in old equipment about 2 qts in a 5 qt system and the seals swelled. ATF is a petroleum based oil, but transmissions use different rubber in their seals and ATF swells engine rubber.

Dom

[Edward J.]

Re: Oil Stop Leak

Larry, After being in the automotive trade for more than 40 years there are truly is no magic elixirs out there. If the leaks are small I really would leave alone, the old small blocks were never a totally sealed engine. even when new. I spent 1000's of hours over the years working on cars with oil leaks, the newer car are much easier to get sealed, the older not so easy.