Hey all,

help me out here. I'm planning on putting a mild 350 into my '83 soon. I've got an older 4 bolt 350 core to rebuild. It's got the dipstick on the other side. I'm planning on running the stock manifolds until I figure out more which car I'm going to use for what. I keep seeing one of the members (forget the name) say that "you'll have to run headers". Surely there's a simpler solution than that. I wanna go for the factory stock look (besides that the stick will be on the wrong side ). Has anyone overcome this with a particular dipstick/tube from another application? I don't wanna hafta go with a streetrod dipstick, but that'll be more factory looking than headers I guess .

thanks

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Clem
SCCA TransAm Series Race Mechanic/CrewChief
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1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, NO T-tops, (unfortunately) Auto Transmission (hopefully not for long)

 

ttt

 

um i thought the older style was with the dipstick tube going into the block on the driverside. and with the manifolds you have, im guessing the type that dump out right in front of that hole for the tube, there is NO WAY your getting one in there, and if you do, your dipstick wont be able to make the corner. i just went ahead and ran headers. you can tap the hole and plug it, but then you have no way to check the oil level. as long as it doesnt leak oil or burn it, that wont be a problem. just change it often to make sure you know the level is good.

 

yes ive been here too.i pot a 350 in my 84 z ho,and it has a left hand dipstick...i tried to bend 3 dipstick hole before i realized that there was no way to make those manifilds work with that dipstick,plus the rear bolt on the pass side manifold is different than a old 350 unless your reuning aftermarket heads.i bought some hooker comps for 75 new from ebay and havent looked back since
mike

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86 camaro:was a v6 car,now its going to be a v-8 5.7l!!
350:cylinders bored .040 over.a little over 9:1 compression(getting a blower some day when im rich lol)line bored.deck is milled a little(was pitted)
trw forged pistons with summit stage 2 polished rods with arp bolts.
194? intake valves(not 2.02( ),pocket ported,gasket matched,and polished ports,torker2 intake with new zinc 650 holley
matched comp cam...runs great on pump gas!!

ase certified for a few years,learned alot though

working on freakin NEONS ,cirruses,tauruses,cobras(well` at least they look nice lol)and intrepids all day makes me drink too much
good job security though

im always on the lookout for cheapv-8 t-5,s
and t-56 setups.they must be cheap.i dont care of they need rebuild,as long as they arent totally blown
also looking for a pair of iroc taillights,and a 145 speedo(cable driven)

 

Hey,

Thanks for the replies. I looked tonight and you're right. there's not going to be enough room to make it work. I'm now thinking about fabbing up a sight tube in my oil pan. that shouldn't be to big a deal

I'll have to look at the manifold bolt situation, I wasn't aware of that, what's up there?

thanks
Clem

 

I had a problem with the pistick on a 307 while using my stock 305 manifolds. I just flattened the dipstick tube, so it goes between the block and the manifold. works good.

 

Don't listne to these bastards!
I have done it! just did it a few weeks ago on my 86 305 to 79 350 swap. im assuming its the money issue for getting headers that has you asking this, as was the case for me. everything WILL bolt up. the dipstick is tricky. you have to bend sharp to the back, then curve forward and sort of wrap around the manifold so that you can get it out. make sure you bend mostly front to back and not too much side to side because a dipstick can only bend the flat way. i bent a little too much on the first bend so i hade to bent the tip of the stick a little so it wouldnt catch. its a little stiff, but if its a fresh motor and you do a good job of building it, you dont need to check the oil every time you start it. in closing, if youve got the money, go for headers, but if not, IT CAN BE DONE. it will take time, and i recommend using a torch and tubing spring to do it, it makes it easier. make the first bend enough so you can put the manifold on and put some bolts in it then use it as a guide. just remember theres a spark plug right there too.

 

hey,

cool, THANKS

Clem

 

generalhazzard is no mere man then. i tried two dipsticks before giving up on the bending idea. i would just save the money and get headers rather than bend a dipstick up...but more power to ya if you get it to work...

 

I DON'T WANT HEADERS!!!

that's the whole thing I'm trying to avoid.
it's not really about money, more for aesthetics. I don't want the header look, sound, or associated problems...yet. (thanks for the input though)

Hopefully though, this will all be moot. I've just found a right-side dipstick 350 with low oil pressure for $100. it's actually got a pan on it with the dipstick coming out of the left side but the block is setup for the newer style. a little bottom end work and it could be my ticket

thanks again for all the input