Oil dip stick correct length ??
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Oil dip stick correct length ??
I have a chrome oil dip stick that was supposed to fit my 79 L-48 built in the last week of production. It has a pt. no. 3981019 M. I understand this it for a big block Camaro or Chevelle. It measures 20" from top of cap to full mark. Just chanced my oil and filter. Ran it for 10 min. to fill filter and after setting for an hour the oil level is exactly 19 in from top of cap. It sounds like I have the wrong stick. I know the tube is origional. Any part numbers or ideas.
I may just have to remark this stick.
I may just have to remark this stick.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
If you know where the fill mark is supposed to be when located correctly in the oil pan (distance down from the swedged-out area on the dipstick tube), all you need to do is fit your dipstick to that tube so that the fill mark is in the same relative location. That may mean that you need to trim off some of the dipstick tube...or re-mark the FILL line on the stick. If you don't know where the fill line on the oil pan should be, take measurements from another car will same engine type.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
It looks like the stick is too long by exactly one inch. I ran the part number on the stick and it came back as a stick for 1970 454 Chevelle. I think I need one that measures 19 in. from top of cap to fill. I know I can remark this one but I want to be sure that there isn't somthing else going wrong. I can't think of any thing but have you ever met Mr. Murphy?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
I've met Mr. Murphy many times. To keep him at bay, I usually ask one of mycar "buds" to come over and put another set of eyes and brain on it. Just did a similar thing when I installed the 700R4 tranny (was a Turbo 400). The [new] replacement dipstick was way too long for my Corvette application; and I couldn't use the new dipstick in the old tube. I was scratchin' my head when my buddy says "Well, just use the old stick in the new tube...but cut the new tube off so the length will be right." 
Well, DUH!!! Of course. I thought of that, too. {well, maybe 
}.
Anyhow, at our age, it takes two reasonably intelligent car guys to come up with one good idea.
Well, DUH!!! Of course. I thought of that, too. {well, maybe }.Anyhow, at our age, it takes two reasonably intelligent car guys to come up with one good idea.
