78 Oil Capacity
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
78 Oil Capacity
I changed the oil in my 78.. I checked it before I drained the oil and it read full on the dipstick.. I let it drain for a good hour our more.. It drained about 3 1/2 qts ... When I filled it back up at 3 1/2 qts I started it for a minute or so then checked the oil and it reads full .. The owners manual say 5 qts with filter ..
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Do you have a 'stock' oil pan? Did you change the oil filter, too? The oil filter holds another pint of oil.
If you have the stock pan, the dipstick you have may be incorrect for your car.
If you have the stock pan, the dipstick you have may be incorrect for your car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
I changed the filter too, wondering about the dipstick it is 24 inches long from end to end... couldn't find a part number just the letter M on it..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-NOS-Engine-Oil-Level-Indicator-Dipstick-1976-2nd-Design-1977-1979-/151033905628?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1978%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item232a5281dc&vxp=mtr#ht_7309wt_676
On my 78 which is 24"
From end to add mark is 7/8".
End to full 1 3/4"
Top of stick to end of cap on the other end is 3".
Top of cap to full mark 20"
On some of the universal sticks, they tell you to make your own mark if incorrect. Can you see where the previous owner might have etched a full mark?
Works for me with filter and 5 qts.
On my 78 which is 24"
From end to add mark is 7/8".
End to full 1 3/4"
Top of stick to end of cap on the other end is 3".
Top of cap to full mark 20"
On some of the universal sticks, they tell you to make your own mark if incorrect. Can you see where the previous owner might have etched a full mark?
Works for me with filter and 5 qts.
Last edited by BKarol; Sep 4, 2013 at 02:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
Corvette Engine Oil Level Indicator Dipstick 1976 2nd Design 1977 1979 | eBay
On my 78 which is 24"
From end to add mark is 7/8".
End to full 1 3/4"
Top of stick to end of cap on the other end is 3".
Top of cap to full mark 20"
On some of the universal sticks, they tell you to make your own mark if incorrect. Can you see where the previous owner might have etched a full mark?
Works for me with filter and 5 qts.
On my 78 which is 24"
From end to add mark is 7/8".
End to full 1 3/4"
Top of stick to end of cap on the other end is 3".
Top of cap to full mark 20"
On some of the universal sticks, they tell you to make your own mark if incorrect. Can you see where the previous owner might have etched a full mark?
Works for me with filter and 5 qts.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Hermosa
Is your drain plug mounted on the bottom of the pan or low on the side?
If it is high up on the side I could see how it would not drain all the old oil out. Then there could still be 1 1/2 quarts left in the pan?
Or maybe drain plug on left side of pan and your jacking it up on the left side tilting the oil away from the drain plug or visa versa?
How about the tube the dip stick goes into. Has it been shortened? Pull it out of the block, it should come out rather easily, and measure that.
If it is high up on the side I could see how it would not drain all the old oil out. Then there could still be 1 1/2 quarts left in the pan?
Or maybe drain plug on left side of pan and your jacking it up on the left side tilting the oil away from the drain plug or visa versa?
How about the tube the dip stick goes into. Has it been shortened? Pull it out of the block, it should come out rather easily, and measure that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
Is your drain plug mounted on the bottom of the pan or low on the side?
If it is high up on the side I could see how it would not drain all the old oil out. Then there could still be 1 1/2 quarts left in the pan?
Or maybe drain plug on left side of pan and your jacking it up on the left side tilting the oil away from the drain plug or visa versa?
How about the tube the dip stick goes into. Has it been shortened? Pull it out of the block, it should come out rather easily, and measure that.
If it is high up on the side I could see how it would not drain all the old oil out. Then there could still be 1 1/2 quarts left in the pan?
Or maybe drain plug on left side of pan and your jacking it up on the left side tilting the oil away from the drain plug or visa versa?
How about the tube the dip stick goes into. Has it been shortened? Pull it out of the block, it should come out rather easily, and measure that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
I looked at the oil pan again and the plug is low enough that all of the oil is draining, and the car is level .. And the dipstick didn't have a trace of oil on it after I drained it.. Really seems strange ..
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You guys also need to measure the dipstick tube from the block-entry point to the top of the tube. Depending on the length of that tube, the position of the fill marks [inside the oil pan] will be different.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6