[Augusto]

I'm installin' a TH350 in a custom swap, the problem is I need to use a very short custom made dipstick tube and corresponding dipstick, I lost all refferences of the oil level, anybody knows where the normal cold oil level is? measured from the bottom of the oil pan to the oil surface? or from the edge of the filler tube hole in the case to the surface of the oil?

please help.

Thanks.

Augusto.

[jakeshoe]

Fill with approx 3-4 qts of fluid, loosen the trans pan bolts, let the excess fluid drain off, re-tighten the pan, install your dipstick. The fluid level on the stick will be correct for warm, running, in park. Mark the stick here, then fill as needed to obtain that level under the above conditions.

[Augusto]

so you mean the oil level is flush with the pan mounting flange?

Augusto.

[DeathRattle]

I believe thats what he is driving at.
When the fluid is at top of pan, no higher or lower, put the dipstick in and mark where the fluid is at, at that level.
After that if the trans was completely empty before doing this, I believe the TH350 takes an average of 9-10 total quarts of fluid.

[jakeshoe]

Yes,
the warm, running in park oil level would be flush with the pan mating flange.

[Augusto]

Thanks a lot.

Augusto.

[bentwings]

Thanks for answering a question before I even asked. What are ya, a mind reader.??

This will fit perfect with my clean under the hood criteria. I planned on not even having a dip stick. After all the trans doesn't burn oil like a motor can. If it leaks ...fix it.

A sight glass on the side of the oil pan?? And no engine dip stick.?? Motor cycles have them.

[Augusto]

some japanese cars have a brake fluid sensor that turns a ligth on when the fluid goes low, it's just a float that closes a circuit when it goes down, install one of them gizmos in the oil pan and you won't even have to look under the car to find out about your oil level, install a plug in the tube hole for filling the tranny.

Augusto.

[jimfulco]

My '88 T-bird has one of those oil level lights. It started lying early-on. The dipstick still works OK at 180K. Guess which one I trust?

[foxman267]

if you were to put an oil light it would need to be positioned in the right spot on the pan as to not get uncovered while accelerating or braking/turning that would be kinda annoying if it kept flashing on and off

[Augusto]

a simple baffle should take care of that.

Augusto.

[foxman267]

yeah it would work with a baffle but i dont think there is much room in the pan to work with.