[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by ericnova72

Did you (or the previous owner) forget to install the lower guide dipstick tube into the block??

Great minds think alike! lol Take a look at post #9, HERE. This was the original thread on the dipstick deal from March. EN72, you even have a post in this thread!

[y2k600f4]

Did you (or the previous owner) forget to install the lower guide dipstick tube into the block?? It goes into the block dipstick tube location before the upper tube is inserted. Its function is to guide the stick down into the pan past the crank and main cap. If it isn't there the dipstick will try to curl either up towards the crank or down and out towards the pan side.

Commonly lost or left out part at rebuild, it is basically just a piece of 5/16" fuel line about 7" long with the flare still on the upper end to keep it from falling through into the pan. The factory piece is slightly larger than 5/16" to fit tighter in the hole, but 5/16" works fine, the upper tube holds it down and tight.

That is a great point. Actually looking on the internet before you posted and it seems like all the pics of SBC rebuilds, oil pan gasket/oil pan replacements etc do not show the lower dipstick tube (at least ones I found). During my recent rebuild I stopped by the engine shop a few times and don't recall seeing the lower tube at all !! And it is a good possibilty the previous owner did not install it and then when I got it rebuilt the engine builder did not think to add one What frustrates me I mentioned an issue with the dipstick but I guess he forgot to look into it. Is my only option is to pull engine/drop pan or is there a way to live with it ???



Just got your post Cobalt....

IF the tube that protrudes down into the sump (inside the pan, guides the stick past the crank/caps and points it downward) was badly bent or worse- missing/broken off- the stick's natural tendency to bend could cause the variation in readings.

I guess I am out of luck...does everyone who fogets or missing the lower tube drop their oil pan for a fix ?

UPDATE: Just pulled out pics that the engine builder provided me (prints not digital...old school) and the assembly pics do show the lower tube however it appears to be really short...maybe a few inches. I will post up a pic.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by y2k600f4

Just got your post Cobalt....
I guess I am out of luck...does everyone who fogets or missing the lower tube drop their oil pan for a fix ?

NO WAY!

Remove the tube, and take the piece of 5/16" (or whatever's closest) hard line, put a flare on one end, and drop it into the same place the tube goes. The flare will keep it from falling through, then reinstall the tube.

IIRC, the bottom tube is 6"-7" long- I think I have one in the shop- I'll check it and add an edit.

[ericnova72]

No need to drop the pan if you can determine that the lower tube is missing. The lower tube drops into the dipstick tube hole in the block before you drive the upper tube into place(press fit). Just pull the upper tube to add it, it is just a perfectly straight piece of tube and will slide right into place.

Cobalt tree'd me LOL

[ericnova72]

As per your edit, the tube only protrudes below the oil pan ran a couple of inches or so, about as tall as the main caps are. The rest is up in the block.

[pittbull7934]

I have a deep sump oil pan, does it need to be specific to a 383? I have a 383.

I should also have a tube that goes into the oil pan? I am so confused.

Sorry i stumbled accross this thread, and I have to replace the dipstick cause the old one broke off when the guy i bought the motor from was moving it.

[y2k600f4]

Hmmm....looks like it is there. Wonder what the problem is then ?

[carsavvycook]

All of these engines I have sent out for machine work, I have always removed the lower dipstick guide to keep from bending them. It then gets placed in the gasket set, unless I am installing the oil pan.

I have only found a few blocks that did not have one, and 5/16" steel line works good.

[carsavvycook]

Originally Posted by pittbull7934

I have a deep sump oil pan, does it need to be specific to a 383? I have a 383.

I should also have a tube that goes into the oil pan? I am so confused.

Sorry i stumbled accross this thread, and I have to replace the dipstick cause the old one broke off when the guy i bought the motor from was moving it.

In answer to your question, it is the same in a 383 stroker.

Some of the newer blocks use a dip stick tube with the extension made into it.

[pittbull7934]

Originally Posted by carsavvycook

In answer to your question, it is the same in a 383 stroker.

Some of the newer blocks use a dip stick tube with the extension made into it.

thanks a bunch!

hows things by the way? i've been meaning to come by but i have insanely busy!

[carsavvycook]

Originally Posted by pittbull7934

thanks a bunch!

hows things by the way? i've been meaning to come by but i have insanely busy!

Pretty good, it has been getting a little busier as of late.

If you can swing by around 7:30 in the morning, I'll have that blown 383 Corvette here. If not, it will be at the El Cajon car show tomorrow afternoon/evening.

I pulled some spark plugs last week, just to see how it was burning. They looked a perfect dark shade of gray.

[pittbull7934]

Originally Posted by carsavvycook

Pretty good, it has been getting a little busier as of late.

If you can swing by around 7:30 in the morning, I'll have that blown 383 Corvette here. If not, it will be at the El Cajon car show tomorrow afternoon/evening.

I pulled some spark plugs last week, just to see how it was burning. They looked a perfect dark shade of gray.

it looks like i am going to be doing some parts chasing starting in the morning then i got to get some studying done, i'll have to wait to see it until you have it again or its in another show.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by carsavvycook

Some of the newer blocks use a dip stick tube with the extension made into it.

That's a good point, carsavvy. Both the '86 4.3L V6 and the '99 Vortec 350 engines I currently have sitting around have the long style tube w/the bottom extension built as a part of the 1-piece dip stick tube.

I would think that one of those would also fit a block that originally had a 2-piece tube like y2k600f4's or pitbull's. In any event, if need be, I have a couple older blocks here- I can try one of the long, 1-piece tubes to see how it fits into the block. It will need to be a good press fit, like they are in the blocks they came from.

So that might be an alternative to fashioning a bottom tube, since the 1-piece tube already has the correct bends to it to clear the bottom end. And the 1-piece tubes are long on the bottom- more so than most 2-piece tubes, as I remember them being. I can't find any bottom tubes I mentioned having earlier. They're here somewhere but MIA at the moment.