Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

[Paul A.]

[Joe L.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Hello All,
My Vette is a 427/390 motor. I know I have an aftermarket dip stick and oil pan setup. Current stick has the tubular ring with the light red end cap. It’s approximately 22” total and tip about 19” from its hood. I removed the tube and that measures 15” total. It extends about 1” or so above its bracket. The sump measures approximately H 8” W 8” L 9”. The drain plug sits off to the drivers side. I just did a fresh 5qt. oil change with a new canister filter. Supposed to be 6qt. total. Ran the car a bit and let oil settle and it reads about 1/2” above the :FULL. Technically there is 4 qts oil in the pan now. Should I add the 6th? I’m concerned with to much overfill causing the oil to reach the level of the crankcase level. Thoughts?

Paul------


Photos of your parts would help a lot. If, when you say " the drain plugs sits off to the driver's side" you mean that the drain plug is on the driver' side of the oil pan, then you have an incorrect oil pan. If you mean it's on the REAR of the oil pan but is situated to the left of center, then you probably have the correct oil pan.

The dipstick you describe is most likely a GM #3981088. This dipstick is a L1969-74 dipstick and is SERVICE for 1965-E69. However, in the 1965-E69 applications it must be used with dipstick tube GM #3981089. That tube is 19-17/32" in developed length.

Both of the above are GM-discontinued.

[Paul A.]

[Joe L.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Joe,
Yes I definitely have an aftermarket pan and stick. Drain plug is on the drivers side and not rear of the pan. The 1088 stick and 1089 tube are service parts and would sit higher when mounted, but are correct. I found some sets on eBay. My main question is the adding of the extra quart if safe to do so. I believe my current pan sump maybe dimensionally smaller. I’ll try to get some pics when and if I can get out to the garages tomorrow. Thanks.

Paul------


The GM #3981088 and 3981089 are SERVICE for your application (when used together). They were PRODUCTION and SERVICE only for 1970-74 big block (and, possibly, very late 1969). They are not NCRS-correct for your application.

I would say that if you are actually overfilling by 1 quart, that's too much. But, given your uncertainties regarding your current dipstick and tube, you don't really know where you're at.

I believe, based on your description, the oil pan you have is a 4 quart oil pan. Adding 1 quart for the filter means you have a system capacity of 5 quarts. So, you could do this, assuming you have just changed the oil:

1) drain the fresh engine oil into a clean container;

2) add back a measured 3 quarts of oil; 1 quart will remain in the filter canister;

3) after all the oil drains back into the pan (about 30 minutes) check the level. Mark your dipstick with a chisel mark. This is your "add" level;

4) add 1 more quart of oil and wait until it all drains into the pan. Mark your dipstick with another chisel mark. This is your "full" level.

[Paul A.]

[Paul A.]

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[Owen L.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Hello All,
My Vette is a 427/390 motor. I know I have an aftermarket dip stick and oil pan setup. Current stick has the tubular ring with the light red end cap. It’s approximately 22” total and tip about 19” from its hood. I removed the tube and that measures 15” total. It extends about 1” or so above its bracket.

Here are a few pics of my '67 390's tube and gauge, which I believe to be unrestored & original. Are you sure your tube is not the correct length? I showed how I measured mine by placing the end of the tape against the manifold bolt below the tube:
IMG_0742 copy.jpgIMG_0743 copy.jpgIMG_0741 copy.jpgIMG_0747 copy.jpgIMG_0746 copy.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Here are a few pics of my '67 390's tube and gauge, which I believe to be unrestored & original. Are you sure your tube is not the correct length? I showed how I measured mine by placing the end of the tape against the manifold bolt below the tube:
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Owen-------


It's possible it's an original part numbered dipstick but it's not original to the car. You will note that the dipstick is stamped "use SE engine oil". I don't think SE designated engine oil existed in 1966.

Regardless what the dipstick is, it will not read correctly unless it is designed for use with the existing oil pan which is not a correct Corvette oil pan.

[Jeff B.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Owen-------


It's possible it's an original part numbered dipstick but it's not original to the car. You will note that the dipstick is stamped "use SE engine oil". I don't think SE designated engine oil existed in 1966.

Regardless what the dipstick is, it will not read correctly unless it is designed for use with the existing oil pan which is not a correct Corvette oil pan.

Joe: You are correct. Engine Oil designated as "SE" was first offered around 1971 and was replaced by "SF" in about 1979. Definitely did not exist in 1966. I think the 1966 oil would be have classified as "MS" from the older desiginations of ML; MM; & MS.

[Paul A.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Owen, Thanks for those pics. Good to see how an original is. I don't believe the tube on my car comes up to your length from that manifold bolt, I will measure it. Also as Joe and Owen point out and as yours is, the SE on my current gauge should not be there. I have another gauge in my parts bin. No oil markings on that but it does have an offset flat handle. As per my TIMJG that is also incorrect. Anyway, I'll get some picks of the tube measurements and both gauges/sticks. Regards.

[Rob V.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Hi Paul--

Finding the correct tube and dipstick that is correct for your application can be infuriating. I was having trouble with the dipstick going into the tube without binding in my 1964 327 CI / 365 HP engine. Finally the tip of the dipstick, (the first 1" to 1 1/2"), broke off in the oil pan. Once the pan was removed; the errant object found; and the pan verified as "correct" for my engine, I ordered the proper and correct tube and dipstick from Mr. Richard Fortier, (Richard Fortier Corvettes, LLC), phone (810) 845-6763. Not only was he able to provide the correct parts, he was extremely helpful with regard to providing suggested tips for installation.
Good luck.

[Joe L.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Hi Paul--

Finding the correct tube and dipstick that is correct for your application can be infuriating. I was having trouble with the dipstick going into the tube without binding in my 1964 327 CI / 365 HP engine. Finally the tip of the dipstick, (the first 1" to 1 1/2"), broke off in the oil pan. Once the pan was removed; the errant object found; and the pan verified as "correct" for my engine, I ordered the proper and correct tube and dipstick from Mr. Richard Fortier, (Richard Fortier Corvettes, LLC), phone (810) 845-6763. Not only was he able to provide the correct parts, he was extremely helpful with regard to providing suggested tips for installation.
Good luck.

Rob------

The big block tube installation is much easier than a small block. For big blocks, the tube is pan mounted, not block mounted like small blocks.

[Rob V.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

What an excellent point Joe!! Thanks for taking the time to clarify that issue!!!

[Joe L.]

Re: Dip Stick/ Oil Pan Question

Joe, Here are the measurements on the stick. I just did a full oil change in the motor so I know exact amount of 5 qt. oil change. Mark above the full mark = 4 qts with 1 in the canister. Removal of a qt. the level drops to the full mark, meaning add. So as you stated it’s a 4 qt pan. Eventually I will swap out the pan and tube with a correct setup. See pics.

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Paul------

This oil pan is a 4 quart, passenger car pan. Probably, a GM #3974328 or 14081027.

Curiously, these pans use the same dipstick as the Corvette pan, originally GM #3860316 and, later GM #3925520. So, I infer from that that the sump is the same depth as the Corvette pan with the Corvette pan having a somewhat longer sump to account for the increased oil volume. I think that's the dipstick you have. To confirm, it should measure 18-1/2" from the seat to the "add" mark and 17-13/32" to the "full" mark.

The original tube was GM #3870324 also same as Corvette but I do not have a length on it.

If the pan is what I describe and if the oil dipstick and tube are what was originally installed on the engine, then if you fill with 5 quarts of oil during an oil and filter change, the level should come right to the "full" mark.

[Paul A.]

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