My 1972 cutlass I just changed oil I put 5 quarts in there is that the right amount or to much because I have a leak coming from my rear main seal

What does your oil dip stick show? 5 quarts should not overfill it and it might take 6 or more. It depends on what oil pan you have. Bummer about the leaky rear main seal.

More information - http://www.supercarsunlimited.com/info/tech/oilpans/oilpans.htm

For the leaking rear main seal, there are oil additives you can put in to soften the seals as they get hard after a long time. This at least would slow it down or if not stop the leak. Like the guys say above, run the engine and check your oil for proper level.

My Oil Stick is showing to much oil , thats why I was wondering was it forcing it out through the rear main seal. I have heard that too much oil is more harmful than not enough.

But did you run the engine first before checking, and did you change the oil filter? Like F.o.R. says 5 quarts in that one should not be over full.

I didn't change the oil filter because I just had changed the oil , but when I compare the oil pan it looks like the smaller oil pan that holds 4 quarts they say. Question do you think that if it is to much oil is that why its forcing it out the rear main seal

Yes, most definitely!! Drain some out until it reads full...

Ok thanks my brother

And I don't care how many miles are on the oil filter, be wise and always change it...

ok

Don't break your engine while saving $5 on a filter! Murphy - you are right that over filling an engine with oil is bad. If the oil gets whipped up into a froth you can end up with oil starvation and over filling can make the rear main seal leak more! I run my 62 Jag a 1/2 quart low to keep the rear main seal from leaking but it holds around 12 quarts!

12 Quarts dang, Okay Mark I kind of figured that thanks.