LT1 dipstick tube height
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
LT1 dipstick tube height
Engine is on the stand and when I flipped it to remove the pan I noticed the dipstick tube is not fully seated in the block. There is a flare in the tube that is maybe 1/4-3/8” from being seated flush. This would throw off the reading on the stick. There is a blue rtv goop on it as well. I did read in the FSM about a sealant on the tube, maybe this is it but just looked a little sloppy for something factory done.
Should the flare in the tube sit flush against the block?
Should the flare in the tube sit flush against the block?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 116
From: Jackson Michigan
Dipstick Tube
If I was a bettin' man, I'd say it should be flush to the block. That's the only reason I can think of as to why the flare is there. If it comes out easily, I would remove it, clean up the tube and the hole, and reseat it with fresh black RTV. Then, after you install the engine, add the factory fill amount and see where it is on the stick.
Good Luck!
John
Good Luck!
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,996
From: St. Charles MO
It's supposed to be flush at the flare, yeah. But if you have aftermarket main caps they may interfere with the end of the tube and prevent it from going in all the way. If that's the case, you can either leave it where it is and just account for the difference on the dipstick (i.e., "full" may only be halfway up the cross-hatch markings, or whatever), or you can trim down the end of the tube so it goes in all the way again.
