62 dipstick and tube question

[Steve W.]

I know that this subject has been adressed several times, but, I'm still missing something. My engine is a 62 340 HP (block). I bought the oil pan, dipstick tube and dipstick from GM back in the mid seventies. The pan is a 3 step design with the trap door. (It is the later production pan). My problem is this...the tube measures 8 1/2" from the bottom of the collar to the top. (The tube is curved). The dipstick is 21 1/2" from the bottom of the felt collar to the tip. It measures 19 3/8" from the bottom of the felt collar to the 'full' mark, and 20 3/8" to the 'add' mark. With 6 quarts of oil (circulated)in the engine, it still shows 3/4 quart 'low' on the dipstick. I have ensured that the tube is seated fully into the block and I also checked the felt collar to make sure it hasn't slipped down, and, I have the correct oil filter cannister. Do I have the wrong tube, wrong dipstick or what? This has bugged me for 30 years! Thanks in advance, Steve.

[Joe C.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

Steve,

See the thread below, entitled "Gauge or Tube at Fault??"
Post began Sunday, June 25, 2006.

Joe

[Steve W.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

Joe, thanks for the response. I had searched the archives but never thought about calling the dipstick a 'guage'. So, if I can determine the exact difference between the actual oil level and the full mark on the stick...I should be able to remove the tube and cut it accordingly??? . Thanks, Steve

[Tracy C.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

Steve,

When you say the oil is "circulated" in the engine, does that mean you are checking the oil level immediately after shutdown? I believe the dipstick is only accurate when all the oil has drained back to the pan after an extended shutdown (10 - 15 minutes or so)

tc

[Steve W.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

I've even checked it hours later and it still reads low.

[John D.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

Steve, I have my share of dipsticks (gauges) that are all supposedly for '57 to 63 Corvette and no two are alike. The generic replacement for your car was longer than the original '62. Longer means from the bottom of the felt to the line beyond the full the replacement is about 19-31/64. The OEM'62 is 19-3/16. So doing the math there is about a 9/16 difference so this may account for your oil level appearing to be low. Is the wording on your dipstick deeply embossed to the point where the back side is really sticking out like braille? The replacements are barely etched. The typical repros are not embossed at all. There is also a lot of variations in the length of the handles.
According to may parts book dated 2-74 the upper part of the oil tube should be 8-31/32. Part # 3732488 in case your saved the paper work.
If you want to talk to someone who has a known original dipstick in his 62hi-p email me and I will hook you two together.
I have been studying dipstick way to much and have a lot to learn but I do have a handle on them. John D.

[Steve W.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

Thanks John. It does seem like there are a lot of different variations. Like I said, I bought the tube and dipstick many years ago. The stick is deeply stamped but not so much that it is 'visible' on the back side. Plus...I don't know what this means, but, there is a letter 'B' stamped between the handle loop and the felt stopper. Also, I've had the tube in and out so many times that it won't stay tight in the block. I believe that I will experiment with it and try cutting it shorter until my stick reads correctly. Thanks, Steve, Chattanooga, TN

[Roy B.]

Re: 62 dipstick and tube question

"B" is the out side of GM's suppliers logo (original), most c1's will have it, the 55 alone Corvette is like no other dip stick of any other C1.