GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] cable dip stick
[GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80270] Mon, 12 April 2010 03:55 Go to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Hey Ken
I looked at your photo set
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10817&cat=3942

but I cannot find what you used for the cable you used in your "cable dip
stick"
I need to make one, - or two-

gene


--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80271 is a reply to message #80270] Mon, 12 April 2010 05:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
Mr ERFisher wrote on Mon, 12 April 2010 03:55

Hey Ken
I looked at your photo set
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10817&cat=3942

but I cannot find what you used for the cable you used in your "cable dip
stick"
I need to make one, - or two-

gene


--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
�ive a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and


I just got a piece of stainless cable from the hardware store. I only got stainless because they happened to have it. Regular steel cable will also work.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80272 is a reply to message #80271] Mon, 12 April 2010 06:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMCWiperMan is currently offline  GMCWiperMan   United States
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Gene,

I had some 1/8" cable from an old garage door counterweight (IIRC).

Ken B, can you braze SS? Never thought of that question before, but it's
needed to keep the cable from unraveling.

DON'T do what I did on the Cad500: There's even less clearance for the
dipstick in it than in the 455. I fitted the cable to just above where I
felt (and heard, before adding oil) the cable hit the bottom of the pan. On
first engine run I could hear that was too long -- the crank was hitting it.
I pulled the cable out before any obvious damage was done, and anchored the
handle between a couple of nearby obstacles. During a later test drive, the
cable worked itself back into the engine and was hit again, that time
breaking 2-3 strands of wire. I'm quite sure no engine damage was done, but
that's not the way to determine how long it should be.

Ken Snake-Bit H.

On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 6:04 AM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:

>
> Mr ERFisher wrote on Mon, 12 April 2010 03&#58;55
> > Hey Ken
> > I looked at your photo set
> > http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10817&cat=3942
> >
> > but I cannot find what you used for the cable you used in your "cable dip
> > stick"
> > I need to make one, - or two-
> >
> > gene
> >
> >
> > --
> > Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> > &#65533;ive a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL
> and
>
> I just got a piece of stainless cable from the hardware store. I only got
> stainless because they happened to have it. Regular steel cable will also
> work.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80274 is a reply to message #80270] Mon, 12 April 2010 07:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fred v is currently offline  fred v   United States
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
Senior Member
you can silver solder SS. what is the advantage of the cable dipstick? is it just that you can make it yourself.


Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80275 is a reply to message #80274] Mon, 12 April 2010 07:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMCWiperMan is currently offline  GMCWiperMan   United States
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Fred,

My 455's dipstick tube had a compound curve which the flat dipstick could
hardly follow. The Cad's tube is much worse -- no way a flat dipstick would
go through it.

Ken H.


On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 8:15 AM, fred veenschoten <fredntoni@cox.net> wrote:

>
>
> you can silver solder SS. what is the advantage of the cable dipstick? is
> it just that you can make it yourself.
>
> --
> Fred V
> '77 Royale RB 455
> P'cola, Fl
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80278 is a reply to message #80275] Mon, 12 April 2010 07:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Yah, that is the problem

on my 26 the dip stick is a wire with a flat end---- that works (the end
eventuality breaks off), but it works.

on the 23 it is a flat dip stick and going down the tube, through the
headers, by the splicing connector, into the s curve, into the block, it
just does not work.

so I am going to make one from a wire, or a cable,

thanks all
gene


On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 5:19 AM, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>wrote:

> Fred,
>
> My 455's dipstick tube had a compound curve which the flat dipstick could
> hardly follow. The Cad's tube is much worse -- no way a flat dipstick
> would
> go through it.
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 8:15 AM, fred veenschoten <fredntoni@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > you can silver solder SS. what is the advantage of the cable dipstick? is
> > it just that you can make it yourself.
> >
> > --
> > Fred V
> > '77 Royale RB 455
> > P'cola, Fl
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80281 is a reply to message #80270] Mon, 12 April 2010 08:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Cottingame is currently offline  Gary Cottingame   United States
Messages: 85
Registered: January 2005
Karma: 0
Member
Ken,
I have a '98 Deville w/4.9 Northstar that uses a cable dipstick. The end that is in the pan that measures, I believe is molded plastic.
You can't braize SS, but you can silver solder it.
Gary
TZE21
--- On Mon, 4/12/10, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com> wrote:


From: Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Monday, April 12, 2010, 6:39 AM


Gene,

I had some 1/8" cable from an old garage door counterweight (IIRC).

Ken B, can you braze SS?  Never thought of that question before, but it's
needed to keep the cable from unraveling.

DON'T do what I did on the Cad500:  There's even less clearance for the
dipstick in it than in the 455.  I fitted the cable to just above where I
felt (and heard, before adding oil) the cable hit the bottom of the pan.  On
first engine run I could hear that was too long -- the crank was hitting it.
I pulled the cable out before any obvious damage was done, and anchored the
handle between a couple of nearby obstacles.  During a later test drive, the
cable worked itself back into the engine and was hit again, that time
breaking 2-3 strands of wire.  I'm quite sure no engine damage was done, but
that's not the way to determine how long it should be.

Ken Snake-Bit H.

On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 6:04 AM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:

>
> Mr ERFisher wrote on Mon, 12 April 2010 03:55
> > Hey Ken
> > I looked at your photo set
> > http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10817&cat=3942
> >
> > but I cannot find what you used for the cable you used in your "cable dip
> > stick"
> > I need to make one, - or two-
> >
> > gene
> >
> >
> > --
> > Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> > �ive a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL
> and
>
> I just got a piece of stainless cable from the hardware store.  I only got
> stainless because they happened to have it.  Regular steel cable will also
> work.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80285 is a reply to message #80281] Mon, 12 April 2010 09:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
Messages: 1888
Registered: October 2007
Location: Victoria, BC CANADA
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Crimp an eyelet on the end of the cable then cut the eye off.
Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80305 is a reply to message #80285] Mon, 12 April 2010 12:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMCWiperMan is currently offline  GMCWiperMan   United States
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
Senior Member
I think that may be asking for trouble -- or at least frustration. It's
likely that the cable will be pressed toward one side of the tube or another
so that the eyelet will catch on the end of the tube, preventing the cable
from being withdrawn. Twisting the cable may work it loose, but I'm
thinking it will be a continual problem -- perhaps even insurmountable if
twisting the cable doesn't work.

I'll continue to use steel & brazing.

Ken H.


On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 10:27 AM, David H. Jarvis <jarvis210@shaw.ca> wrote:

>
> Crimp an eyelet on the end of the cable then cut the eye off.
> --
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80308 is a reply to message #80272] Mon, 12 April 2010 12:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
Senior Member
Ken

I have made a cable dip stick and found that I couldn't really see the
oil on the end. I then brazed about 1-1/2 on the end and filed or
ground a flat on one side of the brazed part.

I calibrated it by putting in one quart less of oil that would be full
and then started the engine to circulate the oil. I then waited a few
minutes to simulate the time it would normally be at a gas stop when I
would normally check the oil. I then checked the oil and filed a small
groove across the flat. I then put in one more quart and repeated the
oil check and filed another groove to represent the "full" point.

If you are going to use stainless you'll probably have to solder the
end rather than braze. I would suggest you use plain steel cable.

Emery Stora

On Apr 12, 2010, at 5:39 AM, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Gene,
>
> I had some 1/8" cable from an old garage door counterweight (IIRC).
>
> Ken B, can you braze SS? Never thought of that question before, but
> it's
> needed to keep the cable from unraveling.
>
> DON'T do what I did on the Cad500: There's even less clearance for
> the
> dipstick in it than in the 455. I fitted the cable to just above
> where I
> felt (and heard, before adding oil) the cable hit the bottom of the
> pan. On
> first engine run I could hear that was too long -- the crank was
> hitting it.
> I pulled the cable out before any obvious damage was done, and
> anchored the
> handle between a couple of nearby obstacles. During a later test
> drive, the
> cable worked itself back into the engine and was hit again, that time
> breaking 2-3 strands of wire. I'm quite sure no engine damage was
> done, but
> that's not the way to determine how long it should be.
>
> Ken Snake-Bit H.
>
> On Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 6:04 AM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> Mr ERFisher wrote on Mon, 12 April 2010 03&#58;55
>>> Hey Ken
>>> I looked at your photo set
>>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10817&cat=3942
>>>
>>> but I cannot find what you used for the cable you used in your
>>> "cable dip
>>> stick"
>>> I need to make one, - or two-
>>>
>>> gene
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
>>> &#65533;ive a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him
>>> a URL
>> and
>>
>> I just got a piece of stainless cable from the hardware store. I
>> only got
>> stainless because they happened to have it. Regular steel cable
>> will also
>> work.
>> --
>> Ken Burton - N9KB
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80317 is a reply to message #80272] Mon, 12 April 2010 13:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
I just gave it to our resident welder. I do not know how he did it. It came back solid. I'll ask him the next time I see him.



Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] cable dip stick [message #80355 is a reply to message #80308] Mon, 12 April 2010 17:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fred v is currently offline  fred v   United States
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
Senior Member
emerystora wrote on Mon, 12 April 2010 12:26


I calibrated it by putting in one quart less of oil that would be full
and then started the engine to circulate the oil. I then waited a few
minutes to simulate the time it would normally be at a gas stop when I
would normally check the oil. I then checked the oil and filed a small
groove across the flat.


this is exactly the problem that i've had. it takes my engine a long time for the oil to drain back to the pan. i can check it when getting back home; check it a half hour later; check it the next morning and i see a different reading each time. i try to go with the overnight reading and add according to that. the gas station fill seems to over fill and it blows out.



Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
[GMCnet] CANNOT REMOVE SELF-HELP [message #80540 is a reply to message #80278] Wed, 14 April 2010 11:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Roger Paul is currently offline  Roger Paul   United States
Messages: 4
Registered: March 2010
Karma: -2
Junior Member




Sir Pls. help remove me from the mail list. lost sight of password. sent for re-up but so many e's cannot see. I think 300 or more on any given day.



_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] CANNOT REMOVE SELF-HELP [message #80550 is a reply to message #80540] Wed, 14 April 2010 13:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
Roger Paul wrote on Wed, 14 April 2010 11:37





Sir Pls. help remove me from the mail list. lost sight of password. sent for re-up but so many e's cannot see. I think 300 or more on any given day.



Someone on the email side want to help this guy?



Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] CANNOT REMOVE SELF-HELP [message #80564 is a reply to message #80540] Wed, 14 April 2010 15:35 Go to previous message
David L Greenberg is currently offline  David L Greenberg   United States
Messages: 899
Registered: January 2004
Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Karma: 0
Senior Member

On Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:32:09 -0500 Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> writes:
>
>
> Roger Paul wrote on Wed, 14 April 2010 11&#58;37
> > Sir Pls. help remove me from the mail list. lost sight of
> password. sent for re-up but so many e's cannot see. I think 300 or
> more on any given day.
>
> Someone on the email side want to help this guy?
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
I
I 'splained what he had to do...

>


David Lee Greenberg
Port St Lucie, FL
Dedicated to the Preservation of the Classic GMC Motorhome
http://GMCmhRegistry.com
http://www.picturetrail.com/gmcregistry
____________________________________________________________
$13/Month Car Insurance?
Insurance deal just passed now allows you to get car insurance for $13
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4bc627572ec781a0fm02duc
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Dave Greenberg
Dedicated to the Preservation of the GMC Clasic
http:GMCmhRegistry.com davegreenberg1@juno.com
Previous Topic: Fuel filters - before of after electric pump?
Next Topic: Dash AC Fan speeds
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Mon Nov 18 20:16:08 CST 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.07466 seconds