1957 lower dipstick installation

[Theodore K.]

I am rebuilding my 1957 corvette engine. I have ordered the lower and upper dipstick tubes and the dipstick. I was told on here that the lower dipstick is installed from the outside top of the hole. The small end enters the hole easily but the flared upper end of the lower dipstick seems to be a bit to large to easily slip down the hole. There appears to be a small lip about an inch or so down the hole. Should one drive the tube and upper flared end down into the hole until the flared end stops on the inside lip? What should I drive it with or is there some other technique? I assume the outer curved dipstick tube then is installed down the hole.
Comments welcome.
Thanks,
Ted von Kampen

I am rebuilding my 1957 corvette engine. I have ordered the lower and upper dipstick tubes and the dipstick. I was told on here that the lower dipstick is installed from the outside top of the hole. The small end enters the hole easily but the flared upper end of the lower dipstick seems to be a bit to large to easily slip down the hole. There appears to be a small lip about an inch or so down the hole. Should one drive the tube and upper flared end down into the hole until the flared end stops on the inside lip? What should I drive it with or is there some other technique? I assume the outer curved dipstick tube then is installed down the hole.
Comments welcome.
Thanks,
Ted von Kampen

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 lower dipstick installation

I am rebuilding my 1957 corvette engine. I have ordered the lower and upper dipstick tubes and the dipstick. I was told on here that the lower dipstick is installed from the outside top of the hole. The small end enters the hole easily but the flared upper end of the lower dipstick seems to be a bit to large to easily slip down the hole. There appears to be a small lip about an inch or so down the hole. Should one drive the tube and upper flared end down into the hole until the flared end stops on the inside lip? What should I drive it with or is there some other technique? I assume the outer curved dipstick tube then is installed down the hole.
Comments welcome.
Thanks,
Ted von Kampen

Ted------


Yes, you need to drive the lower tube into the orifice in the block until it seats. The collar of the lower tube may be a very slight interference fit in the block orifice, but it should tap in relatively easily. You can use about anything that's slightly smaller in OD than the block orifice but large enough to seat on the top of the collar of the tube.

[Joe C.]

Re: 1957 lower dipstick installation

I am rebuilding my 1957 corvette engine. I have ordered the lower and upper dipstick tubes and the dipstick. I was told on here that the lower dipstick is installed from the outside top of the hole. The small end enters the hole easily but the flared upper end of the lower dipstick seems to be a bit to large to easily slip down the hole. There appears to be a small lip about an inch or so down the hole. Should one drive the tube and upper flared end down into the hole until the flared end stops on the inside lip? What should I drive it with or is there some other technique? I assume the outer curved dipstick tube then is installed down the hole.
Comments welcome.
Thanks,
Ted von Kampen

That is correct.

If the lip on the lower tube is too large, then go ahead and grind off some material. The lower tube will be held fast when the upper tube is driven into place.

You may even remove some material from the pressed in section of the upper tube. Manufacturers are generous here, and it's only necessary to have enough interference so that the upper tube can be driven in very easily. This also facilitates removal, if need be.