Suspect several here have been there

[51 MERC-CT]

Flathead read
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2020/...aily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-01-12

 

[Black Fifty]

Great article, Merc!
I got a lot of extra miles out of radiators and heater cores with those copper colored flakes that you added to the coolant. Lucas Oil Leak Stop for the 2003 Sebring that was finally "parked" to become part of the landscape. Trans oil down the carb to quiet sticky hydraulic lifters on another OT car

The one that I've heard a few bad stories about are the flat tire fix in a can products. Folks need to inform the guy breaking down tires at the shop if they've used that stuff.

Again, thank you for the nostalgia.
Mike

 

[1931 flamingo]

I've used the Motor Medic, Rislone, MMO (still do in the 40), etc.


Brings back many memories, like a trip from W Springfield MA to Newport RI at night in a 60 chev 6 cyl. Had to stop and add oil 3 times ! Two days later replaced the engine at the Base Hobby Shop.
Paul in CT

 

[petehoovie]

Snake oil is a euphemism for deceptive marketing. It refers to the petroleum-based mineral oil or "snake oil" that used to be sold as a cure-all elixir for many kinds of physiological problems. - The "marketing" is the only thing that really works though...

 

[RalphG]

Great article like most of Hemmings. I have been an occasional user of STP oil treatment although I think it might be just extra heavy and expensive oil. My dad used it occasionally too as well as "Bars Leaks" on leaky cooling systems. And I still remember the picture of the Lion on the little cans of lye he used to dump in the radiator of the old 46 Ford truck in an effort to clean out the frequently overheating flathead. I've saved a few of the old Motor Medic and Bars Leak bottles just for their historic value as decorations in the workshop.
About the only additives I've tried lately are some of the fuel "stabilizers". Gas seems to stay pretty stable here whether I use the additive or not.

 

[CHuDWah]

Remember these?

The town where I went to college had an independent cut-rate gas station that still had them full of (probably recycled) oil by the pumps - IIRC, a dime a quart.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Remember these?

The town where I went to college had an independent cut-rate gas station that still had them full of (probably recycled) oil by the pumps - IIRC, a dime a quart.

Remember them? It used to be one of my duties to fill them out of 55 gal. drums whenever they needed refilling. (not recycled in my case)

 

[chap52]

Grandpa owned a station across the street from the Los Angeles Coliseum, believe it was on Vermont??? I remember the big oil storage tanks with the crank handle and you would hand pump oil into those metal one quart containers with the handle, drop down spout and petcock to let the oil flow into the engine fill hole.
I believe that his station was next door to the Hoot Owl Café where my Dad enjoyed what he called "the best chili size in town. (that's a hamburger patty covered in chili)Great memories... Chap

 

[marko39]

My father was a great sheet metal mechanic, automotive not so much. He bought dry gas and some radiator stop leak for his 55 Olds, put the dry gas in the radiator and the stop leak in the gas tank. I don't remember the outcome as my brother and me took off for the woods when the cursing started.

 

[5851a]

Thanks for that link, had forgot about the old cars belching oil smoke. That re refined oil too. We had a station that sold it and was oddly enough, next door to a Chrysler dealer. Those stop leak pellets were sold by GM dealers and warranty required them in the aluminum block Cadillac engines.

 

[Marvin/TN]

Yep, I have a couple of the bottles and spouts but no rack/carrier for them

 

[JSeery]

My father was a great sheet metal mechanic, automotive not so much. He bought dry gas and some radiator stop leak for his 55 Olds, put the dry gas in the radiator and the stop leak in the gas tank. I don't remember the outcome as my brother and me took off for the woods when the cursing started.

Now that is funny!

 

[Ross F-1]

Nothing but Yale's pellets for my cars! A JC Whitney staple.

 

[petehoovie]

Nothing but Yale's pellets for my cars! A JC Whitney staple.

 

[RalphG]

We could actually refine our own oil right on the engine with this nifty "Reclaimo" system that could be adapted to most engines in the 50s. My dad had one installed on a tractor but not sure how successful it was. I'll have to dig up the advertising and see just how it worked. I think they might have used exhaust heat.
https://www.fordbarn.com/attachments/418819/

 

[51 MERC-CT]

We could actually refine our own oil right on the engine with this nifty "Reclaimo" system that could be adapted to most engines in the 50s. My dad had one installed on a tractor but not sure how successful it was. I'll have to dig up the advertising and see just how it worked. I think they might have used exhaust heat.
https://www.fordbarn.com/attachments/418819/

This is an example of how they were installed.

 

[Darrell S]

Have had no need for this as yet but one never knows.

 

[tubman]

"Dot 3 Insecticide"? "Automotive grade insecticide"? "Wheel ants"? This is the best one yet! How did I get along without this stuff for the last 60 years?

 

[petehoovie]

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Another reason not to fix leaking wheel cylinders.
Now I know why I have seen so many wheel ants after I switched to DOT5.