[Trucknut]

I haven't seen this problem before. I have a new (rebuilt) 400 cid. Just put it in the car, along with a new tranny and drive shaft. I was trying to crank the engine today. I just wanted to get oil pressure up, get some lubrication into it. I'm not ready to fire the engine. It's a long restoration project. Anyway, when I went to crank it the engine showed some resistance. Turns out that the dipstick had wrapped around the crankshaft. I know this because I could not pull the dipstick out until I cranked the engine backwards and pulled it out a little bit at a time. It came out like a spring coil. No problem to buy another dipstick. I just can't figure out why it happened.

Any thoughts on this would be a great help. Thanks, in advance, for any help.

Chris

[V8&4spd]

Sounds like someone forgot to install the lower dipstick tube.

[Trucknut]

Not sure I've heard of a lower dipstick tube? Can you tell me more?

[V8&4spd]

You are going to have to pull the oil pan off anyway. When it gets that far, take some pictures.

[ericnova72]

Does it have a windage tray on it"" If it is installed backwards there will be no hole in the correct place for the dipstick to pass through.

X2 on the lower dipstick guide tube.

[LATECH]

X 2 , if the windage tray is on backwards there is no way to install the lower dipstick tube as there is only a hole for it when installed in the correct direction.

[Trucknut]

Yes, it has a windage tray. But, I had sent this engine out to a reputable builder here in New Mexico. I do mostly paint and body. I don't get into rebuilds on engines or transmissions. It sounds to me like I'm going to have to pull it out and install the lower tube that I didn't even know had to be there. Makes me glad that the front clip isn't on the car yet. Easy pull.....easy fix. I know how to do it. I just need some directions and opinions before I go there.

Thanks

[WDCreech]

The windage tray can not be installed backward. It wouldn't fit around the oil pump unless the back half has been cut off. My guess would be that the lower tube was left out and when the dip stick was put in, it hit the tray and turned into the crank.

[a67tempest455]

Basically x3 on what everyone else said. there is a secondary tube that is bent at about a 45 deg angle and bolts to one of the main caps that redirects the dipstick down instead of out toward the crank. there only a few bucks from any of the Pontiac shops... Ames, OPG, Year one, Kaufman. But it sucks that you have to pull the motor. At least you caught it before you did any serious damage.

[Trucknut]

That's what I'm sayin' guys. I knew that the windage tray would only go in one way. It's in place and I checked it before I put the new oil pan on. I just didn't know that there was a lower tube. Like you said, better to find it out now.

Thanks