C3 69 427 dip stick and tube length

[dick foehringer]

i was looking at the NCRS judging guide and have a question. it says that 427 A/C cars had a 4" longer dip stick to clear the compressor. so how long is it supposed to be? im measuring from the seal/handle to the tip of the stick. in other words just the flat part including the zigzag. its supposed to have a round tube handle with a red plastic tip??
also how long is the tube that goes with it? over all length and length above the mounting tab.
thanks in advance.
regards dick

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 69 427 dip stick and tube length

Dick-----

To be honest, I really don't think that 69s with 427 and A/C used a longer dipstick and tube than other 427s without A/C. If they did, I can find no record of it and I can't find any part number that could have been used for either the dipstick or the tube. For 1970, all Corvette big blocks went to a longer dipstick and tube regardless of whether they were equipped with A/C, or not. Very early 1970s likely used the 1969 dipstick and tube.

As far as dipstick measurement goes, it's usually specified from the base of the dipstick seat to the "full" and "add" marks. The measurements for the 1969 and 1970 dipsticks are as follows:

1969---seat to "full" mark= 17-13/32"; seat to "add" mark= 19"

1970---seat to "full" mark= 23-13/64"; seat to "add" mark= 24"

The 1970-74 dipstick and tube became the SERVICE replacement parts for all earlier Corvette big blocks more than 25 years ago. However, when replacement of either was required, BOTH the tube and dipstick had to be replaced. SERVICE replacements may have created some of the "confusion" as far as specs go.

[dick foehringer]

Re: C3 69 427 dip stick and tube length

joe, thanks for the response but im still a little confused. when you say base of dip stick seat you mean where the seal cup meets the curved handle? the point where the seal cup would stop on when inserted in the tube? my tube is 15" end to end. i have 2 dip sticks. the longer one extends past the tube by 6-3/8" the shorter one by 4". my measurements are as follows if what i said above is true. short stick 17 7/16 to add + 3/4 to full = 18 3/16. long one is 19 3/4 to add + 5/8 to full = 20 3/8. obviously since the tube length is the same the oil reading will be WAY different. is it true a 69 427/400 pan used 6 quarts of oil? i dont yet have my engine back to gether so i can just try them. i have a spare LS6 and a 396 im going to compare to at lunch. let me know if im measuring right or i need a different tube.
thanks. dick

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 69 427 dip stick and tube length

Dick, this is one of the gray areas in the manual. We have seen both the short and long dipsticks on non AC cars. AC cars should have the long stick. One way to identify the sticks in that the short dipstick handle is about the level of the lower edge of the top of the valve cover, and the long stick sticks 3 or so inches aboue the same edge. It would be very awkward to check the oil in an AC BB with the short stick. It would be about even or maybe below the rear mounting bolt of the compressor. I hope this does not confuse you.

We are still doing our research on the sticks for the next revision of the manual.

Any BowTie BB owners care to comment???

[Michael H.]

Re: C3 69 427 dip stick and tube length

Dick,

I have a parts book that was printed some time in mid 69 and can look up the numbers to see if they differ from a later printing.

Michael