Technical GM Posi Additive shelf life?

I came across 2/3 of a case of this stuff....seems to have settled...when I shake it for a while, there still seem to be some things floating around in there.

Rumor is they used to make this with Sperm Whale oil. But that ended in the early 70s.

The box has a date code ending in L8. From the shipping label printing, it's possible it's 1978, but not like to be 1968, since it was printed with a dot matrix printer, which hadn't quite been invented yet. And the history of the other stuff where I got it indicates that 78 is pretty likely, and 1988 is also. No whale oil by then, though?

Anyways, I wonder if anyone would be brave enough to use this still? or is it just art now?

 

Here at the dealer, GM had those bottles well into the 90's even 2000's.
We used to get wholesale parts from Lustine in the late 90's too.
I would use that fluid, no problem.
When I started at dealers in '77 the sperm stuff was pretty much outlawed.

 

Thanks. That helps!

I found a picture of a later bottle that looks pretty much the same, but has the Goodwrench logo...which GM started using for service, and on some parts, in the late 70s.

 

The "Important, rotate stock" warning would concern me. That indicates a finite shelf life. It may be just due to settling and appearance purposes but if you decide to try it, replace the oil at the first sign of any odd noises, clutch chatter, etc.

 

As rarely as I need a bottle, and considering what a posi rear differential costs, I'd just buy a new bottle when I need it.

 

Maybe the "rotate stock" was part of a GM inventory tax write off scheme I'd probably shake it up and use it. Especially if it was just a fluid change on an old posi.

 

It rotates when you use it. Does that count?

 

I would rotate it alright. In the differential.

 

I'd use it.

 

Too new for me to use.

 

Would cryopreservation have helped?

 

If your worried, use a paint mixer, or similar vibratory device to mix any settled particulates. Even zip tying it to electric hair clippers for an hour or two would be enough for my peace of mind

 

On the whales?

 

I don't care for all this vibrator, sperm talk on this additive thread lets keep it clean fellas.

 

I’ve had this bottle for as long as I can remember. The C3 part number is still barely legible. It opened it, took a whiff and it smells bad, really bad. Would I use it? Probably, anything that smalls this bad has got to work.

 

I wouldn’t hesitate to use it.

 

Yours must have the Whale sperm

 

It’s a breed, not to be confused with breeding.

 

Use it , It's not like a loaf of bread on the store shelf.

 

Heck, I wonder if anyone would be brave enough to get the Whale Sperm???

 

I'd say smell it and see if it's gone bad it smells Fn horrible no matter what.

If it's still fluid and hasn't separated, I'd run it.

 

MD = manufacture date maybe so 1981

Two things that degrade stored oil are oxygen and sunlight. If its kept sealed and in the dark it significantly extends shelf life.

 

Jim ,
Do you think the L8 might be a lot number ?
And the date code was 5 8 2,,,,,2 being the year ? ,,,,,maybe 92 ?
Who knows ,,,,,the bottles still look good,,,,as well as the oil inside,,,,good color .

Tommy

 

Use 2 bottles.
Then for sure both tires will spin.

 

Recall gay killer sperm whales biting the ends off submarines to suck out all the Seamen!
Just heard it...

 

Well at least they can swim!

 

This ^^^^^

I think the stuff is fine, just remix to get the stuff that settled out, back into solution.

 

If you don't want to use it, I'd be happy to buy a bottle off ya

 

Is it still available these days? I recall buying at the Chevy dealer a few times, then noticed some other maker/brand in the additive sections in AP stores, but recently looking for some gear oil I noticed some jugs labeled “limited slip additive” on them. I wasn’t looking for it, but just didn’t notice it either.