VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Oil leak

Ray, after I clean the oil pan and screen is there something I can run in the motor to clean it out better or should I just chang the oil about every 100 miles or so. Thanks...Oscar :) :)

Should I use oil with detergent?...Oscar

Use detergent oil.It will prevent more sludge from forming but WILL NOT clean out the old sludge.
The sludge in the engine was not caused by standing unused for 10 years.It was caused by not using detergent oil,not changing oil, and/or from the vent pipe being plugged.....or coolant entering the oil.

Insure you are not over full of oil and drain if necessary one quart. Replace the quart with a quart of transmission fluid. I would not drive the car at speed, but run the engine for a considerable length of time. While still hot, drain all the oil. Depending on what the drained oil looks like, it may be necessary to add 5 quarts of fresh oil and another quart of transmission fluid.

When happy with the results, put in 5 1/2 quarts of detergent oil and 1/2 quart of transmission fluid. Pay close attention to any unfamiliar noises and the oil pressure gage. The remedy may loosen large particles that can block the oil pump or the line up to the rocker arms.

(You may use Shalors Risloan in lieu of the transmission fluid).

Thanks Guys, should I pull the pan off and clean it then run the fluids you sugested or just try to run the fluid first and see what happens? Thanks again, I don't know what I would do without your help...Oscar

If you have that much sludge, I would pull the pan and clean it and the oil pump screen first.

Thanks dog, I will do that...Oscar :) :)

Should I be aware of any surprises like springs or anything else coming off with the pan? Thanks...Oscar

Nope.

Cool

I pulled my oil pan last night and the pan and screen was veyr clean. There was no sludge. The oil looked normal. I put the pan back on and will pick up oil and a new filter tonight. My question is, should I still run detergent oil or just noemal oil? Thanks...Oscar

I recommend detergent, and watch all the gages and check the rocker arm oil system frequently.

I would vote for detergent.

Thanks Guys...Oscar

Someone told me that when I had my oil pan off my truck the other night that I should have put a magnite in my oil pan to catch metal particles and I don't buy it. Am I wrong for not doing this. I figured if I have metal in my oil that there is a big time problem. Has anyone ever hesrd of this?Thanks...Oscar :eek: :eek: :eek:

don't think I would put a magnet in the pan, and have a chance of it rattling around in there. I have seen advertised, drain plugs with a magnetic tip, when you drained oil any metal that had accumulated can be wiped off. I just use the old trick, change the oil, change the oil , change the oil and install one of those partial flow filters. Oil change interval for me on the 52 is 1,000 miles, I change the filter every other time. fairly costly but I feel it is reasonable when related to an engine rebuild.

In some of my cars have used a older Chrysler product aotomatic transmission pan magnet.When the pan is removed for some reason the magnet looks as if it grew fur.Other cars I have the drain plug magnet.They have a little accumlation after 1000 miles or so.
I do not belive engine would have been damaged if the magnets were not there ....just one of my little experiments.
A magnetic drain plug was used on the standard transmissions on some later GM trucks - to catch the chunks.
You were not wrong in not installing a magnet....If you wish you can buy a drain plug with magnet at a parts store and see what you "attract"...just for kicks.

Thanks, I just think I will leave everything the way it is. Thanks...Oscar

GM has been installing magnetic oil drain plugs in their trucks for several years. I guess someone at GM felt it was prudent. I've had them in all my vehicles for many years. only twice has a chunk of any size been caught. both pieces were small enough to have possibly make it past the screen. the junk might as well be stuck on the magnet rather than circulating.

Chevrolet offered them as an accessory as far back as 1946.

Do the parts store carry these magnetic drain plugs? You guys got me courious now so I might have to buy one and see what happens. I just hope when I take the plug off that there is no rocker arms or anything else stuck to it.

Yes, the common corner parts stores carry them....look for one with 1/2"-20 threads.

Thanks Gene...Oscar