[Novaman78]

Is there a difference in the oil dipsticks from a car and truck engine. The engine im referring to is a 1986 SBC 305ci it is out of a truck, and i don't have a dipstick so I cant see if the one from a car is shorter or longer. Man at parts store said one from a truck is longer but why? They are the same engine right?

[lanierledford]

I'd change the oil, then check it with the stick you've got. If it reads to the full mark, you're OK, IF IT DIDN,T, I'd go to a dealer, and buy a stick and tube for the car I have. Make sure you check it to assure its correct. You know, when you run out of gas, the engines, Looses water, it gets hot, but it may work well after you solve the problem. But when they run out of oil, well, they're just need the same. Better safe than sorry. lol

[Novaman78]

thats just it i don't have a dipstick im rebuilding the engine and don't even have oil in it yet. Im trying to figure out if i can save money by pulling one off of another 305 or should i buy one. I know im not saving much but a little money saved here i can use on something bigger in the future.

[Ghetto Jet]

Those cheap chrome mr. gasket dipsticks are only about $7.

[jimfulco]

My '79 Suburban stick is quite a bit longer than the one in my '72 Nova (both have 350's). Just get a matching dipstick & upper tube from a car in a junkyard.

[wld bil]

Truck dipsticks may be longer......but so is the tube they slide into, for ease of reach reasons. ALL SBC dipsticks that run through the block should extend past the dipstick tube the same. As long as you have a regular 5 qt. rear sump pan. Ghetto Jet is right, pick up one from your local parts house; and the chrome ones are good for about an extra 2-3 hourspower. When you get the engine built, for piece of mind, put in 5 quarts, and check it, make sure the filter is full too, or it won't give an accurate reading, it may show a half quart full, if the motor hasn't been primed and the oil filter isn't full.

[Novaman78]

Are there diffrent size diameters or something because my parts stores have a 5 qt dipstick but only goes to a 79 model.

[arch]

Can you see the model # on the block? would be on the drivers side, on the back of the engine (i think, cant remember now)
Mine is a 1986 LG9, passenger side dipstick, measures approx 25 1/2" ( couldnt get an exact measurement due to the dipstick having a slight curve in it)
I measured from the top of the cap to the end of the point.
______ < top of cap where the ? handle connects
|...|...|
....|....
(ignore the dots)
hope that helps

[Novaman78]

Yeah that helps. Thanks. My uncle had an old dipstick and tube that the dipstick was broke and i tired to see it that would work but the tube was to big around. The dipstick on my engine is a pass side. Is the pas side and driver side different?

[arch]

I believe the only difference is the block/oil pan. I dont think the length of the dipstick changes. Not to sure though.