Re: oil dip stick tube retention

[Chuck Roba]

I had a body off restoration on a 67 small block and when the car was returned the oil dip stick tube was loose. I managed to manually reinsert it into the block mounting. I am getting a rather severe oil leak and can only trace it back to the oil dip stick tube insertion. Is there an O-ring or was it a press fit to prevent oil from escaping at this juncture? It only happens while the engine is running. Valve cover gaskets do not seem involved.

[Mike E.]

Re: oil dip stick tube retention

It was press-fit only. Was the lower tube installed? It goes in the block and then the visible tube goes on top of that. It's possible, with the lower one missing, to get significant oil coming up and out.

[Tom D.]

Other models do have "o" ring included *NM*

[Clem Z.]

BBC with the dip stick in the pan use "O"

ring to seal the tube but SBC with the dip stick tube in the block use just a press fit. without the lower tube installed in a SBC the dip stick can end up in the wrong place and get hit by the crankshaft.

[Joe L.]

Re: oil dip stick tube retention

Chuck------

The upper oil dipstick tube is a "one shot kind of piece". In other words, it can be installed properly ONCE ONLY. If, for any reason, the tube is removed intact, it cannot be re-installed in a satisfactory manner and will almost always leak and/or easily pull or fall out if it is. That's because the tube swages down when it is pressed into the block, resulting in an tight interference fit. "The next time around" for a given tube this will not occur and the tube will not be properly retained and sealed.

Sometimes, folks working on engines like to re-use these tubes. Besides, obviously, not having to obtain/purchase a new tube, why? Well, it's a LOT easier to re-insert a used tube than it is to drive in a new one.