78Cutlass4Speed

I purchased a 1977 Delta 88 pace car earlier this year and have taken care of most of the minor issues with the car except for an oil leak leaving decent-sized spots on my garage floor. It's coming from 2 places: the rear main seal (the usual suspect), and from the bottom of the timing cover almost exactly dead center. I know the correct thing to do is to change the oil pan gasket, the rear main seal, and the timing cover all together, but that isn't possible right now. I can't do the job myself so I'd have to pay a repair shop to do it for me. The car runs great and the car show season is here so I'd rather not have any down time right now. This can be taken care of this upcoming winter. Is there anything I can do as a temporary fix to the problem? Can I use RTV or some other product to slow down the leak? I know it's a "Mickey Mouse" fix but it's only a temporary solution. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

OLDSter Ralph

Put a couple inexpensive baking pans under the engine when its parked.

Sugar Bear

For the rear main probably nothing, it is a rope seal.

For the front cover if it is the half moon rubber seal at the bottom of the front cover you could check and SLIGHTLY tighten the forward most oil pan bolts, clean it thoroughly with brake cleaner and smear some RTV on it but honestly it doesn't work well or for long. Probably not worth the tinkering.

gs72

It’s not leaking oil, it’s sweating horsepower.

olds 307 and 403

Snake oil seal sweller may help and isn't a big deal if you are changing the nearly 50 year old dried out seals in the near future.

leftlaneonly

slide a plastic washing machine tray under there ,

BillK

I had one of these under my Wife's Riviera for the longest time until I rebuilt the engine a few years ago:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...cal&store=8990

You might be able to slow the front down some by cleaning it real good with a couple of cans of brake clean and then use some good RTV on it.

78Cutlass4Speed

I got under the car yesterday and checked the oil pan bolts. The two large bolts at the corners seemed loose. I was able to tighten them down over half a turn without applying too much force. I gently tightened the smaller bolts about a quarter turn or less. I'll give it a few weeks and see if that made any difference. If not, I'll try using some RTV.

Olds64

I use cardboard boxes and an oil drip tray under my 71 Oldsmobile and my 86 Ford truck. The truck leaks oil faster than the Oldsmobile, but the Oldsmobile leaks ATF too.

Hopefully tightening those bolts slowed down the leak.

leftlaneonly

Hows the leaks did they stop..

I have to see this new project Phil

78Cutlass4Speed

The leaks are still there but greatly reduced. It's now on par with most of the other cars I've owned over the years. I can live with it like this until it's fixed correctly.
There is a major show coming up next Sunday June 23rd in Medfield, MA. It's the 22nd annual Medfield on the Charles car show. It's at 45 Hospital Rd which I believe is off of Route 27. Show runs 8 AM - 2 PM. The DJ is Cruisin' Bruce Palmer. It's a good show. I'll be attending as long as the weather is good. Hope to see you there. I'll try to forward you a copy of the flyer in the next day or so.

leftlaneonly

Glad to hear you have it somewhat under control
im in need of shocks thinking Monroe’s but undecided