FE Dipstick Port

[CV355]

Is there a step in the dipstick port on FE blocks?  I have tried 3 different dipsticks (Lokar seems to fit the best) but the ID of the dipstick port seems unreasonably small.  I don't believe there is a tube snapped off in there, or it would be the cleanest break I've ever seen.  But, there is a pronounced step.

Does anyone have a picture or dimensions of what this should measure to?

[Leny Mason]

I can measure the hole if you want, and the dipstick, My guess is the old one is still in there let me know Leny Mason.

[Jb427]

My brand new bbm block has a step and i used a lokar one it fitted well and reads the right oil level i used the flexable locking type dipstick and i did find that the fitting at the block side hit the block so i took a small fine file to it at the hex fitting that hits the block and flattened one side it made it go in more apart from that worked great.

[CV355]

I can measure the hole if you want, and the dipstick, My guess is the old one is still in there let me know Leny Mason.

I just checked it again for a broken tube, doesn't appear to be one.  I just need the ID measurement of the smaller bore, if you wouldn't mind.

I can start the Lokar dipstick, it's measuring around 0.336" OD on the step. 

[Keith Stevens]

I broke the retainer from my tube and replaced it with a Drake Chrome tube with the factory dipstick.  With the Cobra T-sump and 6.5 quarts of oil I am at the quart low dot.

[blykins]

Yes, there is a step. 

[Nightmist66]

There is a slight step near the block surface there, but don't worry about that one. The second step is the one that locates the factory dipstick tube for a "stop". The factory tube diameter is 3/8" and it doesn't go in very far(shallow step). I can't remember off-hand what the lower hole measures, but it's easy enough to slip a drill bit in there and check it...

[CV355]

I wound up with something like 0.305" for the ID of the smaller stepped hole, 0.336 in the center, and 0.375" on the upper ID .  That would have left me with practically no wall thickness on any of the three dipsticks I have bought so far.  I thought about pulling the pan and reaming the hole out, but that would require pulling the headers and steering components for the 3rd time.

I noticed that none of the dipsticks (including Lokar's) could ever actually seat properly since the bead or machined lip would strike the block before the tube was seated.  I machined down the Lokar adapter and got it close, but couldn't manage to get a press fit.  I wound up cutting down a tube and making it press fit on the 1st hole, and then pressed the Lokar flexible tube over the solid piece in the block.  I do have to come up with a custom length dipstick but at least it's in.

[cammerfe]

I once made a dipstick tube by starting with a piece of copper tube that was a press-fit into the block. The main body of the tube was a length of Teflon-lined stainless braid. I mated it to the copper with an appropriate fitting and used another fitting at the top, held in place on the side of the block with a bracket that attached to one of the rocker-cover bolts. The original dipstick was cut to length and marked with a file after a fill with the 'right' amount of oil and a brief run to be sure I had the right level.

KS

[Jb427]

When I fitted my locker dipstick all I did was get a good measuring jug because my engine was new it only a very small amount of oil in it from being primed on a engine stand then drained I then measured the right amount of oil for my oil pan filled it once the engine was in my car and let it sit overnight and checked level on the dipstick mine did not need remarking.

[CV355]

When I fitted my locker dipstick all I did was get a good measuring jug because my engine was new it only a very small amount of oil in it from being primed on a engine stand then drained I then measured the right amount of oil for my oil pan filled it once the engine was in my car and let it sit overnight and checked level on the dipstick mine did not need remarking.

That's exactly what I have to do.  I'm going to call Lokar and see if they can get me a cable with their cast dipstick end so I can measure and cut it to length. 

It's actually a pretty cool setup now.  You can pull the Lokar handle from the side of Cyl 6.  It also clears where the blower intake will be.