Removal of broken dip stick tube

[Scott G.]

The dip stick tube has broken off at the block in my 1966 327/350. I need to remove the section which is still in the block in order to replace it. When I installed the reproduction tube in 1990 it was a very tight press fit. I have tried pulling it out using an easy out to “bite” the interior of the tube and then pulled with channel locks. This did not budge it at all. I tried shrinking the tube using dry ice followed by the easy out and channel locks, same result.

My next attempt is to drop the pan and drive it out from the inside. Is the tube hole accessible with the pan off or is the crank in the way? Does anyone have another idea before I drop the pan?

Thank You,

Scott

[Roy B.]

Re: Removal of broken dip stick tube

Yes you can drive it back up after removing the oil pan with no problem.

[Roy B.]

Re: Removal of broken dip stick tube

Yes you can drive it back up after removing the oil pan with no problem.

[Joel M.]

Re: Removal of broken dip stick tube

How about packing broken tube full of wadding and pushing down a half inch or so. Then tap the ID of the broken tube with an appropriate sized tap. Get a pc of tubing larger than the OD of the broken tube and insert a bolt thru it and into the tapped hole. As you tighten the bolt it should extract the broken tube providing the tube pulls out rather than turns. Just be careful to get packing in good to provide a barrier to shavings from the tapping process from getting into the bottom of the engine. Just think every step through regarding tap depth, bolt lengths etc. Might be a better way but this has worked for me.

[Joel M.]

Re: Removal of broken dip stick tube

How about packing broken tube full of wadding and pushing down a half inch or so. Then tap the ID of the broken tube with an appropriate sized tap. Get a pc of tubing larger than the OD of the broken tube and insert a bolt thru it and into the tapped hole. As you tighten the bolt it should extract the broken tube providing the tube pulls out rather than turns. Just be careful to get packing in good to provide a barrier to shavings from the tapping process from getting into the bottom of the engine. Just think every step through regarding tap depth, bolt lengths etc. Might be a better way but this has worked for me.

[Mike M.]

Re: Removal of broken dip stick tube

if joel's tip works, let us know. it'd be quicker and easier than pulling pan and driving tube out(which is way i've done it in the past).mike

[Mike M.]

Re: Removal of broken dip stick tube

if joel's tip works, let us know. it'd be quicker and easier than pulling pan and driving tube out(which is way i've done it in the past).mike

[Mike Cobine]

Modification of a good idea

This sounds like a good idea. Of course the tube may turn and not pull out. If so, then here are two ideas.

1. Get a longer full thread bolt.

Thread a nut and washer near the head. Then insert into the larger tube and thread into the broken tube. Instead of turning the bolt after you thread it into the broken tube, tighten the nut and washer against the tube to force the bolt (and hopefully broken tube) up and out. Lube all well before starting.

2. Get a threaded rod that fits what you tapped the tubing for. Slide a weight on the rod, like the handle of a slide hammer. put a couple of large washers on the top end of the rod, along with a couple of nuts. Better would be a threaded coupling (like a really long nut).

Then a few pulls with the slide and the tube should pull right out.

[Mike Cobine]

Modification of a good idea

This sounds like a good idea. Of course the tube may turn and not pull out. If so, then here are two ideas.

1. Get a longer full thread bolt.

Thread a nut and washer near the head. Then insert into the larger tube and thread into the broken tube. Instead of turning the bolt after you thread it into the broken tube, tighten the nut and washer against the tube to force the bolt (and hopefully broken tube) up and out. Lube all well before starting.

2. Get a threaded rod that fits what you tapped the tubing for. Slide a weight on the rod, like the handle of a slide hammer. put a couple of large washers on the top end of the rod, along with a couple of nuts. Better would be a threaded coupling (like a really long nut).

Then a few pulls with the slide and the tube should pull right out.

[Joel M.]

Re: Modification of a good idea

Mike--- Your number 1 process sounds dead on. I have pulled three of these in the past with just the bolt sleeeve process and have not had one turn yet but your idea takes that potential problem out of the picture and is easier. With your deal and holding the bolt with an end wrench while turning the nut with another a linear pull would be assured. If the previously tried E-Z out process has not garbaged things up too much it should be a snap for Scott.

[Joel M.]

Re: Modification of a good idea

Mike--- Your number 1 process sounds dead on. I have pulled three of these in the past with just the bolt sleeeve process and have not had one turn yet but your idea takes that potential problem out of the picture and is easier. With your deal and holding the bolt with an end wrench while turning the nut with another a linear pull would be assured. If the previously tried E-Z out process has not garbaged things up too much it should be a snap for Scott.

[Scott G.]

Re: Modification of a good idea

Joel:

I had considered threading the tube and using a bolt. I took the new tube to the hardware store and tried to find a bolt which would fit the tube. However, I could not find a size which would work. What size bolt did you use?

Thanks,

Scott

[Scott G.]

Re: Modification of a good idea

Joel:

I had considered threading the tube and using a bolt. I took the new tube to the hardware store and tried to find a bolt which would fit the tube. However, I could not find a size which would work. What size bolt did you use?

Thanks,

Scott

[Eugene B.]

Re: Modification of a good idea

Gents,
A idea to try before tapping (or if tapping isn't possible) involves the previously mentioned slide hammer puller.

My Harbor Freight slide hammer puller has an adapter that allows it to be used with a pair of Vise Grips. You replace the srew in the VG's with this adapter and latch down on the item to be extracted. The slide hammer puller is then threaded into the adapter. Finally, you bang away business as usual. Sounds like it might work for this application.

Good luck,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: Modification of a good idea

Gents,
A idea to try before tapping (or if tapping isn't possible) involves the previously mentioned slide hammer puller.

My Harbor Freight slide hammer puller has an adapter that allows it to be used with a pair of Vise Grips. You replace the srew in the VG's with this adapter and latch down on the item to be extracted. The slide hammer puller is then threaded into the adapter. Finally, you bang away business as usual. Sounds like it might work for this application.

Good luck,
Gene