C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

79 Dipstick specs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2010 | 12:39 PM
  #1  
Rick's's Avatar
Rick's
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default 79 Dipstick specs?

Is the dipstick for the Corvette specific to these engines? The reason I ask is that I just completed an oil change with filter on my L-48 car and the level shows over full. The old oil showed at the same level before the change. I just bought the car and this is the first oil change that I have completed on it.

The dipstick fits snuggly and bows correctly. I was not sure if the dipstick may be specific to the vette due to the pan or some other reason.

The only other thing I see that may effect it is that the pan is pushed in from the bottom. Looks like Bubba put a jack underneath it. The pan doesn't appear to be leaking but I don't think that it is enough to really effect the fluid level on the dipstick. Thanks in advance, Rick.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2010 | 06:58 PM
  #2  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default

How much oil did you put in the motor? I believe they call for 5 quarts including filter.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2010 | 06:58 PM
  #3  
vetteguy75's Avatar
vetteguy75
Melting Slicks
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Default

I have the same question. I changed oil the other day (including the filter) and put in 5 qts (per the owner's manual) and now the dip stick shows about 1/2 qt over full. Don't understand why.....
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2010 | 07:02 PM
  #4  
Rick's's Avatar
Rick's
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Richard,

I put in 5 quarts which included the filter change. Ran it long enough to heat cycle a couple of times and checked it again. Oil is clean and pressure is ok.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:34 PM
  #5  
vetteguy75's Avatar
vetteguy75
Melting Slicks
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Default

Originally Posted by Rick's
Richard,

I put in 5 quarts which included the filter change. Ran it long enough to heat cycle a couple of times and checked it again. Oil is clean and pressure is ok.

My pressure is good and the oil is clean....it's just the dip stick reading....it shows "Overfill"....
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2010 | 12:49 AM
  #6  
Rick's's Avatar
Rick's
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Bump. How long should the original dipstick be?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2010 | 07:41 AM
  #7  
gbvette62's Avatar
gbvette62
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
Default

According to the 1979 Corvette Parts Book, the 76-79 dipstick is part number 3981019.

The Parts Book says that this dipstick is 20" long from the "Cap to the Full Mark" and 21" from the "Cap to the Add Mark". The correct tube measures 8 3/4" from the "Shoulder to the Top" of the tube.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2010 | 08:46 AM
  #8  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

The high level mark is not critical , its reference point.
Try this, drain your oil thats in the engine now in a clean container,leave the oil filter in place, measure out 4 qts and pour back in through a fine screen. Check the dipstick level.
If your pan and dipstick are stock you should get close to the full mark.
The 5th qt is the variable depending on filter size and how much filter material is inside.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jul 10, 2010 | 10:53 AM
  #9  
Rick's's Avatar
Rick's
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Thank you gentlemen. I will buy a parts book and go drain the oil again. I appreciate the assistance.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 79 Dipstick specs?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:15 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE