How to check engine oil level?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
How to check engine oil level?
For the life of me I can not find the dipstick, I know this sounds lame, but I've found the transmission fluid dipstick on the right side and I heard that the engine level oil was on the left side, can't find it, I have a '74 Stingray, auto, 350...
Also made a loud pop twice the other night, oil pressure is around 20 and dips when at idle, goes up to 35 when under acceleration and I can hear a ticking after driving for 10 minutes...
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Also made a loud pop twice the other night, oil pressure is around 20 and dips when at idle, goes up to 35 when under acceleration and I can hear a ticking after driving for 10 minutes...
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
Oil Dipstick
Here's mine. Driver's side on a '71 350 4sp. Was so loose when I got the car it would slip out of block when dipstick was withdrawn, but I deformed the end tip and tapped it real hard back into block and no problems since. I believe I still have accurate oil level readings.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
For the life of me I can not find the dipstick, I know this sounds lame, but I've found the transmission fluid dipstick on the right side and I heard that the engine level oil was on the left side, can't find it, I have a '74 Stingray, auto, 350...
Also made a loud pop twice the other night, oil pressure is around 20 and dips when at idle, goes up to 35 when under acceleration and I can hear a ticking after driving for 10 minutes...
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Also made a loud pop twice the other night, oil pressure is around 20 and dips when at idle, goes up to 35 when under acceleration and I can hear a ticking after driving for 10 minutes...
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Your oil pressure is normal.If you cant locate a dipstick on the driver or pass side adjacent to the exaust manifold you may not have one. Someone may have left it off. Did you get my PM?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Got the PM, thanks! I'll contact you this week...
I had no oil in the engine! Changed it 1K miles ago, hope there was no damage, just got back from a 120 mile trip! Is it okay to put oil in through either valve cover opening? One side has a line going into it and the right side has a breather on it...
Thanks so much guys,
Kevin
I had no oil in the engine! Changed it 1K miles ago, hope there was no damage, just got back from a 120 mile trip! Is it okay to put oil in through either valve cover opening? One side has a line going into it and the right side has a breather on it...
Thanks so much guys,
Kevin
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Got the PM, thanks! I'll contact you this week...
I had no oil in the engine! Changed it 1K miles ago, hope there was no damage, just got back from a 120 mile trip! Is it okay to put oil in through either valve cover opening? One side has a line going into it and the right side has a breather on it...
Thanks so much guys,
Kevin
I had no oil in the engine! Changed it 1K miles ago, hope there was no damage, just got back from a 120 mile trip! Is it okay to put oil in through either valve cover opening? One side has a line going into it and the right side has a breather on it...
Thanks so much guys,
Kevin
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Got under it, rear main seal leaking big time, what's that usually run to have repaired??
Misplaced my owners manual, typically 5 quarts??
Thx,
Kevin
Misplaced my owners manual, typically 5 quarts??
Thx,
Kevin
Last edited by kmobrien76; Nov 4, 2007 at 11:16 PM. Reason: ;'
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
What it's worth?
Done by a shop incorrectly-worth zero!
Done by you correctly-priceless!
You sound like the type of person that should own a Corvette.
I get a lot of satisfaction out of fixing things myself, seems like you do too.
Enjoy your ride, Pete.
Done by you correctly-priceless!
You sound like the type of person that should own a Corvette.
I get a lot of satisfaction out of fixing things myself, seems like you do too.
Enjoy your ride, Pete.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Arizona
For the life of me I can not find the dipstick, I know this sounds lame, but I've found the transmission fluid dipstick on the right side and I heard that the engine level oil was on the left side, can't find it, I have a '74 Stingray, auto, 350...
Also made a loud pop twice the other night, oil pressure is around 20 and dips when at idle, goes up to 35 when under acceleration and I can hear a ticking after driving for 10 minutes...
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Also made a loud pop twice the other night, oil pressure is around 20 and dips when at idle, goes up to 35 when under acceleration and I can hear a ticking after driving for 10 minutes...
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Yeah when I finally found it after I saw a pic on here (in this thread I think) I laughed, turns out it was turned so the handle was pointing downward made it less recognizable...Good girl you have there!!! Mine just complains that she "smells like car" after we go for a cruise!
Kevin
Kevin
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Ask any local shop (e.g. GM dealer) what the Mitchell flat rate is for that seal. A 1974 is pre-cat con and thus you do not have to deal with the front exhaust Y-pipe tucked under the oil pan. It can be very troublesome to remove.
Last edited by Paul L; Nov 5, 2007 at 07:14 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
You are already ahead of the game 
Since then I have rebuilt my motor 3 times. These cars are VERY easy to work on. There's lots of help on this forum. I'd say you tackle the problem yourself. Winter months are here so you won't be driving much anyway. Go for it.
Good Luck
