Engine Oil Level - 1970 454
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 16
From: London
Engine Oil Level - 1970 454
This may seem a unusual question, but during my restoration the old engine oil dip stick was thrown away (old rusty chrome one), I and I have fitted an "original" Ecklers one to replace it.
However just a little wary, although convinced its the correct one for my car, bearing in mind the consequences, just wanted to ask how far up the oil level in the pan should the oil approx. be i.e 6"-8", from the base of the pan well (lowest point). Or if you could measure it what distance do you have on your 454 dipstick between the top of dipstick entry hole and the mid oil level on the this stick.
I put in the correct amount of oil and it all seems about correct but would be very grateful just to put my mind at rest if any one can answer this before I start the engine as the final point on my restoration.
Stay safe and well
KInd regards
Paul
However just a little wary, although convinced its the correct one for my car, bearing in mind the consequences, just wanted to ask how far up the oil level in the pan should the oil approx. be i.e 6"-8", from the base of the pan well (lowest point). Or if you could measure it what distance do you have on your 454 dipstick between the top of dipstick entry hole and the mid oil level on the this stick.
I put in the correct amount of oil and it all seems about correct but would be very grateful just to put my mind at rest if any one can answer this before I start the engine as the final point on my restoration.
Stay safe and well
KInd regards
Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
The only concern I would have is that the length of the stick AND the length of the tube must match. A "correct" stick needs a matching "correct" tube in order to read properly. There are different tube/stick pairs for different applications.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 16
From: London
Thank you so much for going to the trouble of measuring this up. I will be in the garage tomorrow morning and will take some new photos before I post them to compare the new stick and tube I puchased to this in the hope this could be useful to other members.
Stay safe and well
KInd regard
Paul
Stay safe and well
KInd regard
Paul
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 16
From: London
Many thanks to all; no photo from me will not help, as I got very similar measurements with an oil level that will be around 1/4" higher.
Many thank for the ressurance I was pretty much ok with this due to my source of dipstick and tube from Ecklers, adding the correct volume of oll as per the manual, and then spinning the distributor gear to get oil circulating and seeing pressure on the oil gauage.but still had a nagging concern as I did not have the old stick to compare. I will now start the engine with confidence (and hopefully after compelting lots of work on it the engine will now power up after just a few turns!).
Kind regards
Paul
Many thank for the ressurance I was pretty much ok with this due to my source of dipstick and tube from Ecklers, adding the correct volume of oll as per the manual, and then spinning the distributor gear to get oil circulating and seeing pressure on the oil gauage.but still had a nagging concern as I did not have the old stick to compare. I will now start the engine with confidence (and hopefully after compelting lots of work on it the engine will now power up after just a few turns!).
Kind regards
Paul
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 564
Likes: 185
I get where your coming from on this.
the ‘68 I brought home in February has the L68 427. I changed the oil and filter putting in 5 quarts. The manual said the engine takes 6 total if I read it right, one in the filter an 5 for the pan.
I put 5 in and fired it over let it run and checked the oil level, it was way over the full mark !
wth ???
Then I notice there’s a scribed mark coinciding where the 5 quarts lands on the stick. Obviously the wrong stick. I matched up the stick to one from a ‘67 427 in Corvette Paramedics showroom and the scribed mark was indeed where it would be. Got a new proper repo stick from Zip and 5 quarts is right at the full mark. Still, wasn’t it supposed to have 6?
When I was at CP I also took a hard look at the pan on that engine and it was the same.
the ‘68 I brought home in February has the L68 427. I changed the oil and filter putting in 5 quarts. The manual said the engine takes 6 total if I read it right, one in the filter an 5 for the pan.
I put 5 in and fired it over let it run and checked the oil level, it was way over the full mark !
wth ???
Then I notice there’s a scribed mark coinciding where the 5 quarts lands on the stick. Obviously the wrong stick. I matched up the stick to one from a ‘67 427 in Corvette Paramedics showroom and the scribed mark was indeed where it would be. Got a new proper repo stick from Zip and 5 quarts is right at the full mark. Still, wasn’t it supposed to have 6?
When I was at CP I also took a hard look at the pan on that engine and it was the same.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 16
From: London
I guess what spooked me was when I sourced the replacement a place I use for spares said they dont supply dip sticks any more due to a customer problem after supplying one that turned out to be incorrect. Hence whilst sourcing from a reliable route thought (even thought it felt over cautious) it was wise to double check.
Paul
Paul
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 564
Likes: 185
I guess what spooked me was when I sourced the replacement a place I use for spares said they dont supply dip sticks any more due to a customer problem after supplying one that turned out to be incorrect. Hence whilst sourcing from a reliable route thought (even thought it felt over cautious) it was wise to double check.
Paul
Paul
The Zip # is “OP-126” 70-74 454 red button $15.99.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 564
Likes: 185
I put a NAPA gold filter on mine which is made by Wix. Wix is probably the best filter available. The one I took off was some odd brand but was a long filter, the NG/Wix was short. Anyone know the Wix or NAPA gold number for the longer larger capacity filter ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
Longer filter costs more and is harder to find. I doubt anyone here has enough dirt in the crankcase to require all the extra surface area. The engine wont live any longer or make more power. Just something to consider.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 564
Likes: 185
In days past Wednesday run a filter relocation kit and double filters to add a quart to the capacity.