1966 L-79 oil dipstick tube question

[Bob L.]

Can anyone verify the proper dipstick tube on a 1966 327CID, 350HP (L-79) motor? The judging manual (Edition 6) speaks of the dipstick for the 350HP is chrome plated. The dipstick tube is "natural, unpainted.

My car has been judged several times and has a black tube. I am having the car judged again and want to be sure I have the proper oil dipstick tube to avoid and post deduction. I have a friend with a very similar 66 and his dipstick tube is chromed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 L-79 oil dipstick tube question

Bob,

The original dipstick tube that is pressed into the block on my ‘66 L79 is natural.

The upper end of the dipstick itself, with the looped handle, is chrome plated (of course, except for the black button at the very end of the loop).

Gary

[Bob L.]

Re: 1966 L-79 oil dipstick tube question

Thank you very much. I ordered the proper part.

How difficult are they to install?

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 L-79 oil dipstick tube question

Bob,

Just to be clear, you’re really concerned about the dipstick tube, not the dipstick. Yes?

The main issue with replacing the tube is removing the old one from the hole in the block that it’s pressed into. I remember that I fabricated a two piece clamp from aluminum bar stock, then secured that around the tube with a hose clamp. Then used some sort of slap hammer device that I fabricated to extract the tube. That was 20 years ago and I didn’t take any photos nor did I keep the fabricated devices.

Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1966 L-79 oil dipstick tube question

My car has been judged several times and has a black tube.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

First, I'd love to see a picture of the black tube.
Second, I'd take the points hit long before I'd go through the hassle of replacing the tube. Replacement ones often are not configured like originals and this is not a 2 minute job.

I would consider "de-blacking" the tube before replacing it, but first would want to see it.

I hope that helps.