Jack605

So my dipstick tube was loose and kept coming out of the block so I bought a new one from Corvette Central now I am worried about the length of the tube being so much longer than the original. The other issue is have I been running the engine light on oil.

Jack

Jack605

Change the Thermostat to 180 deg it was running cold.

This is the bottom of the fan shroud you can see that it is not bolted down, I am about to check out the manuals to see why but I feel that I have a later model shroud.

Jack

Greg

Jack,
Before you get into a mess of cutting new dipstick tubes try this. Give the tube a hit with a punch or chisel just below the rib (see arrow). This will slightly oval the tube and it should fit snug when you tap it back in, using the rib as your tapping point. Properly fitted it will not need sealant of any kind. Don't hit the tube lower or you'll oval the very bottom of the tube and have difficulty getting in re-inserted into the block. I have had good luck with this fix many times.
Greg

Jack605

No problem with the install, the problem is the length of the tube, it is a couple inches shorter than the one I took off.

Jack.

Greg

I must be stoned Jack. I assumed the shorter tube was your original one. Anyway, try this repair with whichever tube was the one that came with your car.

croaker

You've changed your oil before unless this car is new to you. What was the reading after 5 qts and a filter change. I see your new one is much longer. Do you have a regular oil pan? Wait the mangled one is the new one?

Jack605

I have not changed the oil myself on this car this is my first time.

The short mangled one is the one that was on the motor, the new one was bought from Corvette Central for a 69 corvette. now chances are the short one is correct for the dipstick I had in the car I assume I need to buy a new dipstick now.

The engine was re-built before I bought the car and I had the oil changed by others before I picked it up two years ago and last year before she was put to bed.

The new tube is set there is less than 1/8" gap between the rib and the block.

(Edit) The engine came out of a pickup truck originally

Jack

BLUE1972

Two suggestions:

If the old dip stick tube was correct take a tubing cutter (copper tubing cutter works) and cut the new one to the old one's length. Debur the end and clean out the tube. Reuse the dip stick.

or

Change the oil and put in the proper amount, mark the dip stick with the new tube. Measure the distance from full and cut the tube so the dip stick now measures full.

derekderek

Did the new dipstick tube come with a dipstick? If so, check the oil with the old dipstick tube and dipstick then check the oil with the new dipstick tube and dipstick and see if it reads the same before you start cutting anything. And Greg was talking about put the Slate over in the original dipstick and then bang it back into place and return the new dipstick which is longer you have an excuse It's too long.

Jack605

Replaced the LED tail lights with correct tail lights.

Jack605

Pulled the accelerator pedal and lever, you can see my bubba fix on the early 69 lever. Waiting for a new pedal before I re-install. Also wrapped one side of the exhaust from the header to the side pipe muffler.

Jack

Jack605

Anyone know of an easy way to install the rubber brake pads? I am thinking using bicycle tire iron's might work well.

Jack

Jack605

Which pieces of under the body insulation can easily be installed without taking the car apart?

Finished up with the pedals install still waiting for the trim piece for the gas pedal.

Jack

ronarndt

Spray the back of them with a mixture of water and a little dishwashing detergent. They will slide on easier and after the water evaporates will stay in place. Don't use silicone spray or anything that stays slippery permanently or the pads will move around and may come off. The bicycle iron or a bent screwdriver will help you spread the rubber easier to get it to slip on to the metal pedal.

Torqued Off

Much better.

Jack605

What pieces of insulation on the bottom of the body can be installed with the car assembled?

Jack

Jack605

So I finally got back to this problem, drained the oil put in five quarts and had to cut the dipstick tube down not as far as the one I pulled off the car though. With the old dipstick and tube I only had about 4 quarts in the engine with the dipstick reading fuel now I have 5 full quarts in the car with the dipstick reading full.

Jack

Jack605

So I could never get the carb working that came with the car so I wanted to start from scratch I bought a Holley carb and I just finished re-dueing the fuel lines to the carb I like the routing much better than what I had.

Jack

Jack605

So today I installed the new throttle cable onto the new Holley Carb and I fired her up now it is time to start tuning the carb.

Jack

Jack605

Bolted down the carb, yes I started the car with the carb only sitting on the manifold studs. I also got my fan shroud bolted down, the shroud is from a 70's car and does not match up at the bottom of the radiator support so I had to make a bracket.

Jack