| Re: [GMCnet] Engine oil dipstick tube mystery [message #320868 is a reply to message #320862] |
Sat, 22 July 2017 23:10   |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
The missing part of the dipstick tube is probably lying in the bottom of
the oil pan -- safely out of the way of moving parts (where a couple of
dipstick ends are in one of my 455's, due to interference when the sticks
were inserted). You might get luck and see it over the drain hole after an
oil drainage and be able to fish it out; I wouldn't worry about it.
As for keeping the dipstick at the right location, I've used two methods:
1. Take a brass 3/8" tubing ferrule coupling and run a 3/8" drill through
it to remove the ridge meant to limit how far the tube is inserted. Then
position the coupling, a ferrule, and a nut where you want the stop.
Tighten the nut to compress the ferrule. Remove the coupling and nut and
store them for the next time you need a tube positioned.
2. Cut a small triangle of steel, 1/16"+ thick, with a 3/8" hole in it, to
fit the flat area around the dipstick hole in the block. Position the tube
through the hole in the triangle at the desired position, mark it, and
braze or weld the two together. I used that method to make sure the bent
tube inside the engine remained pointed where I wanted it.
I never liked the flat dipstick running all the way to the front of the GMC
because it tended to bind in the adverse curves. So I made one from 1/8"
steel cable. A 1/2" thick Lexan handle, with the cable secured into it
with a set screw through the capital of the "T", also has a recess around
the cable to fit over the top of the dipstick tube. At the measuring end,
the cable is brazed for about 3" to prevent fraying and flattened to accept
calibration marks. It goes in and out easily, regardless of orientation.
Good luck,
Ken H.
On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 11:10 PM, Larry Engelbrecht <
larryengelbrecht@gmail.com> wrote:
> So, can I slightly bend a 3/8" tub just enough so the upper part does not
> collide with the block and still fit between the head and manifold? My
> engine never had a dipstick when I got it anyway, so I'd have to "adjust"
> whatever dipstick I'd use to measure correctly as you suggest. I'd just have
> to figure out how to somehow swedge the tube or otherwise make it have a
> slight interference fit or fab a small bracket.
> --
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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