63 dipstick length

[deanpet]

A fellow 63 FI owner contacted me today asking me to measure my 63 FI dipstick to verify correctness. It appears that he has to add 7 to 8 quarts to achieve "full" on his stick. Assuming the correct oil pan (which he claims the car has) I know it should be 6 quarts to "full". Sounds like the wrong stick or tube to me - but what do you guys think. Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 dipstick length

Dean-----

It's easy to check. The correct dipstick was GM #3846811. This dipstick has a length from the seat to the "add" mark of 20". From the seat to the "full" mark should be 19-3/16". If the dipstick has those dimensions, then it's the correct dipstick or a fully usable SERVICE replacement part.

[Larry Sherman]

Re: 63 dipstick length

Joe
Is there a length from where the dipstick enters the block (Where the little stop swage area on the tube is) to the lower end of the dipstick, that is the same on all engines with the same hole location? In other words, should the stick end at the same height below the pan rail. I have a number of small block sticks and tubes that are not matched up. A common distance from the pan rail to the full mark would make that easy. Thanks, Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 dipstick length

Larry-----

Not that I know of. A correct reading dipstick, be it small block or big block, depends upon 3 things: 1) the dipstick, 2)the dipstick upper tube, and, 3) the oil pan. All three have to be part of a "matched set".

The dipstick tubes have varying lengths and are designed to be used with 1 or more specific dipsticks.

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 dipstick length

Because there were different oil pans + different upper tubes (some to get around accessory interference; e.g. A/C), there's a myraid of dipsticks. Later cars used colored plastic 'buttons' in the handle to distinguish. But, early cars used either PN embossed on the rod or physical measurement.

The Chevy and Corvette Parts & Accessories manual(s) (lots of revisions of these over the years) do a modest job at defining the differences for customers and parts countermen. Typically length dimensions are quoted from the upper 'stop' provision of the dipstick to either/both the ADD/FULL mark because that was the important issue. Difference between add & full deals with the specific geometry of the oil pan and absolute distance from the head deals with both the pan and upper tube geometry.

You might want to consult copies of various Chevy P&A books to determine how to best sort the lot of oil gauges you have....

[Larry Sherman]

Re: 63 dipstick length

Thanks Joe and Jack. You guys are amazing. Larry