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I pick my car up,where I had the shop put the cam in,and after getting it home,went to check the oil,and noticed the tube was real loose,so I pulled the tube all the way out the block,and noticed that they had broke the bracket completely off where it bolted to the block,and yes,called the shop and cussed them out,so I do have headers,so,it’s a tight fit,but for the time being,can I put something on to hold in place to keep from slipping out,maybe even tie strap.
I pick my car up,where I had the shop put the cam in,and after getting it home,went to check the oil,and noticed the tube was real loose,so I pulled the tube all the way out the block,and noticed that they had broke the bracket completely off where it bolted to the block,and yes,called the shop and cussed them out,so I do have headers,so,it’s a tight fit,but for the time being,can I put something on to hold in place to keep from slipping out,maybe even tie strap.
You didn't say what engine you have, but I assume it's a big block, small block tubes never came with a bracket.
The brackets were only brazed and have been known to break off. If you're afraid you'll lose it, there's no reason can't use something like thin gardeners wire to temporarily secure it. Big blocks used two different tubes, one from 65-69 and a longer one from 70-74. Make sure you get the right one for your year and dipstick.
I'm not a C3 expert nor do I care/try to keep mine original But sbc have come with a bracket on the oil dipstick. Maybe not on all or some C3's But we don't know if the OP's engine is original or even what year it is. Could be a passenger side dipstick block, more info is deff needed and pics always help.
True enough. I know for certain my small block is original. I also know a few years ago I went to check my oil level and the entire tube just pulled straight out of my block.
it was totally no one's fault. No bracket. Just a press fit tube that lost its press fit after a thousand or more heat cycles. A new tube and all has been good for several years now.
Putting in a cam would not require removal of the dip stick tube. The O.P. had little evidence if any that the shop that installed the cam had anything to do with the dipstick tube on a 40 -50 year old car.
Abusing the shop over this instead of calmly discussing the situation would likely gain him nothing.
Other than needing a new shop to deal with in the future.
These are old cars. Stuff breaks. Sometimes it's just because they are old.
I was not there of course. But as a professional mechanic. I must say that working on older vehicles often leads to this type of garbage.
And again. Putting in a cam would have NOTHING to do with the dip stick or tube.
Well,they pulled the engine out and tore everything off engine and inspected it,crank was good a little wear on the bearings,but replaced with new main bearings and of course new cam bearings,so yes they did have the tube out,you can tell the bracket was broke off,not to mention I’ve had the tube out myself and the bracket is bolted to the block to hold it in place,so there is no way it can slip out.so,yes blaming it on the shop.
you have the tube and stick.so, any replacement you get you can verify correct oil level mark on the new stick by measuring against orig one. or put a blob of permatex or epoxy on outside of this tube and slip in and let it harden. i would prefer permatex as it isn't permanent. get epoxy in hole and decide on a new tube and getting it in could be difficult.
you have the tube and stick.so, any replacement you get you can verify correct oil level mark on the new stick by measuring against orig one. or put a blob of permatex or epoxy on outside of this tube and slip in and let it harden. i would prefer permatex as it isn't permanent. get epoxy in hole and decide on a new tube and getting it in could be difficult.
Why not just re-braze it? I did this to my auto trans dipstick - having brazed just about zero things before - so if I can do it...
Zip sells replacements but I would prefer to reattach the bracket and leave the fit loose. I have needed to remove or move mine around many times. Exhaust manifold or headers removal and replace pretty much requires it to come out. Late C3 Dipstick Tube with bracket - for sake of discussion.
Last edited by stingr69; Dec 16, 2022 at 02:10 PM.
Why not just re-braze it? I did this to my auto trans dipstick - having brazed just about zero things before - so if I can do it...
one reason. the cheapest set of torches is more than a new dipstick tube. even the lowes-depot mapp-oxy version. another thought. satisfy your inner bubba. get a cable clamp the right size. slide it over the tube. drill a hole and bolt or sheet metal screw it to the busted-off tab. once lined up correctly epoxy together.
one reason. the cheapest set of torches is more than a new dipstick tube.
Agreed, if you feel the need to go with an Oxy/Acetylene torch, but I used MAP/Pro and it worked out well. I'm supposing the thin-wall tubing and thin gauge bracket were small enough to heat up enough to reach brazing temp. Alternatively, a welding shop could take care of this in about 2 minutes -- just another suggestion for the OP.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You're complaining about a broken braze joint on an old dipstick tube that was likely half-broken before anyone touched it..? You have a half-century old antique car with antique parts on it. Stuff breaks. Fix it, get over it, and move on. That's the way it is.
"Ever since you rebuilt my carb my brake lights don't work."
Sorry to disagree with you,but a I’ve had it out several times myself,and it wasn’t half broken it was fine,the other thing,you could tell it was a fresh break,it hadn’t even started rusting yet where he broke it,and yes I know what a fresh break looks like better than you I guarantee,I worked on a Asphalt plant for 40 years,which is all steel so seen a lot of breaks before,but thanks anyway.
I'm not a C3 expert nor do I care/try to keep mine original But sbc have come with a bracket on the oil dipstick. Maybe not on all or some C3's But we don't know if the OP's engine is original or even what year it is. Could be a passenger side dipstick block, more info is deff needed and pics always help.
I have to apologize, I forgot the 80-81's with the right side dipstick, used a tube with a bracket (actually two brackets). This is especially bad considering that I have an 81 I've owned for 41 years!
Unlike the 65-74 big block tubes, I don't think the brackets were brazed on the 80-81 dipstick tubes. The brackets have two little dimples in them, where they meet the tube, and are either spot welded or attached using some other means of connecting them together. The 80-81 dipsticks have been discontinued for years, and there's no repro available. Mr Gasket, Dorman, etc sell what are supposed to be replacements, but from what I understand they're the wrong size, and may only work in later (87 up) blocks?
Of course, three posts and the OP still hasn't told us what year he's working on?
Dipstick tube
