63 327/340 s.h.p. dip stick tube

[RICHARD CHARLES]

any one out there know if the dipstick tube is really chrome ? or is it painted aluminum ? thanks rick

[Terry D.]

Re: 63 327/340 s.h.p. dip stick tube

Can't imagine the General springing for chrome, but stranger things have happened. On my 62 and 64 they are not chrome, but someone with more info then me will know for sure.
Terry

[Loren L.]

None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

parts books both call out the chrome dipsticks but no such call is made for tube 3826074 - if it was chromed, the General would not have retailed it at 45 cents

[RICHARD CHARLES]

Re: None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

LOREN ; THANKS FOR RESPONSE . NOW I NEED TO KNOW WHAT COLOR IT IS ACCORDING TO N.C.R.S. JUDGING ? RICK

[Joe L.]

Re: None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

Richard-----

It was natural steel.

[RICHARD CHARLES]

Re: None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

THANKS JOE FOR YOUR HELP & QUICK RESPONSE . RICK #00837

[Len Rayca]

Re: None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

Joe: The dipstick "tube" on my 63 L76 SHP is painted a gloss black. The judging guide for 63-64 3rd edition calls it out this way...." The dipstick tube for ALL 1963 and 1964 model engines inserts on the left side of the cylinder case. The finish is "normally" natural unpainted steel. The dipstick tube may possibly be painted gloss black" I surmise that this was probably a running change during the production run, possibly due to complaints from the field that the tubes were devolping surface rust. I don't have any validation of that, just a WAG on my part. Len 39247

[Joe L.]

Re: None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

Len-----

I suppose that it's possible that some of these tubes were painted. However, I don't think that the reason was a running change for the reason that you've surmised. If it was, then GM soon forgot about it and went back to the natural steel tubes as are found on virtually all Chevrolet V-8s, both big block and small block. I've seen a few that looked like they might have been galvanized, but I've never seen a known-original that was painted. That's NOT to say that none were, though.

[David Van Weele]

Re: None of the above. Oct 62 & Nov 63

My 1963 which I have owned since new serial # 15675 has always had a gloss black dip stick tube. But I have seen many that are plain steel. Some thing I never thought of until I am typing this is that my water pump pulley came painted engine orange and the other car a 340hp '63 unrestored car also had both a painted tube and a red water pump pulley. Some one on the engine line must have been having fun with our minds.




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