My car leaks a bit of oil. . . ok, a nice steady drip at times. I think it is coming somewhere in the back and before I go and sink mad bucks into it I was wondering if anyone has any remedies to try and stop a leak? I heard something about using 5W oil in it, but I want to make sure there is truth to that before I do it. Thanks!

 

Thicker oil will slow a leak, but won't stop it. I used one of those bottles of..what was it..Rislone something or other... It stopped a nasty oil leak I had for about 2 weeks before the cheap seal it made blew open again. I'll tell you something though...my own personal experience here... I had a horrible oil leak when I got the car. Leaked a quart every two weeks, and oftentimes, more than that. I took it to various shops...they all told me various things. Two different shops told me about $1000 in repairs...claimed I was leaking from every gasket on the car. Hell, they had the ***** to say I was leaking oil from my INTAKE MANIFOLD. Took it to a small local shop. Problem solved for $98. I was leaking from the o-ring in the distributor..it was almost completely deteriorated. Leaked oil EVERYWHERE under the engine...made it look like a very bad problem. Haven't leaked ONE DROP since. But I've gone through two starters....both from oil covering them and burning them out. HOPEFULLY I won't have that problem any more!! So that's my tip of the day..check your o-ring!!!

 

It sounds like your distributor O-ring is shot ! ....Easy change , just take the distributor out and put on a new o-ring . remember , or mark how your distributor was in there so you don't fu*k up your timing .

 

I love how people come on just a few minutes after I do and say everything I say, but manage to make it from several paragraphs into three sentences.. Well now you've got two people that think it's the o-ring!

 

A little tip: Use moly grease around the o-ring and on the gasket before you install the distributor. This will presevre the o-ring and gasket and will help prevent any leaks.

 

Do a search for my Distrbutor rebuild article.
Rebuild distrb while out.
Use the "O" ring idea
PLUS a SMALL BLOCK CHEVY DISTRIBUTOR GASKET between manifold & distb base.
Cost $1.00 MORE
BUT ZERO CHANCE OF ANY MORE LEAKS.
OR go buy the gasket & just slip in between distb & intake using a FILM of Black RTV.
No leaks also.

 

That might be it. I'll have to take a look at it. OIL is all over the backside of the engine and is all over the starter, but I wasn't sure where it was coming from. Should I try to hose it down with some water and some of that engine-brite stuff to see if that is where it is? Thanks for the replies!

 

I'd just try wiping to see if this helps most.
You can "fit" fingers down there for "feeling the grease".
IF there is a massive amount, you found it.
Once distb out, you can clean by rags, better.
Make sure you clean REAL THROUGH with rags & carb/brake cleaner.
Then really let it air dry.
When you touch the distb. area, it should be squeaky clean. BE AWARE of washing there because of water shorting problems.
Enjoy a Pat's & Gino's Cheesesteak at 2 AM this morning for me.
I MISS THEM SO MUCH!

 

If a lot of oil got on your starter and solenoid...don't expect them to last much longer. I went through 2 starters from the same problem you have. : /

 

Here's the P/N for the O-ring @ Pep Boys
O-TITE P/N 64214
Width: 1/8"
ID: 1"
OD: 1-1/4"
QTY 5:

They'll be in the drawers w/ the bolts and gaskets. The paper w/ the bar code is highlighter yellow.

 

This forum is just great, thanks for the info. Yep my starter just went on me ans was contaminated with oil. the tech thought it might be the rocker covers but I dont see much oil there. I also dont see much oil from the distributer though either. Does it leak at the clamp area or below this some where? Sound like this is the problem if it fixed your leak