Hey guys...

Untill I get my headers in my car, I'm gonna have to fab up my own dipstick and tube for the engine. I need to because its a '79 350, so the hole in on the driver side and I still have the factory manifolds.

So, this is what I need help with... What size pipe do I need to use to fit into the dipstick hole on the block?

The rest I can do, and I know exactly how to make it so that it will work, but I just need to know what size (OD) the pipe needs to be to fit properly in the dipstick hole in the block.

Thanks in advance

PS - I'll post pics when I'm done! Then maybe this problem can be solved forever for those who do the swap without doing headers at the same time.

 

i dont know exactly what size it is but why not just get a stock replacement one for the 79 block and bend it around to clear thats what we did once it worked just fine and then your dipstick its self ends up being the correct length too..

 

I'll try that if this doesn't work, but I just want to try it out.

 

Anyone?

 

Haven't done it, but, could you just buy the seal for the dipstick tube? Won't that tell you all that you need to know as far as tube diameter?

Also, isn't the length of the tube critical?

 

Yep, you are right, but I planned on making the dipstick as well, so its not really a problem.

Do you know if the tube is the same size for a pre-79 block (drivers side) and for a 80+ (pass side) ?

I have a 305 block ('83) at school and I could measure the hole in the block, but would it be the same size as the hole in my 350 block (79)?

 

i believe they didnt change sizes untill they went to the one peice rear main .....i could be wrong thou

 

Ok, so the '83 and '79 blocks should have the same size hole?

 

yes

 

you can yank it out of any 2 piece rear main seal motor and swap them. you MIGHT be able to do it with a 1 piece rear main motor, but ive never tried.

i only know this because my 305,327,350 and my current 400 all had the same dipstick in them at one time or another.


btw, if i were you, i would just spend the $12 for a generic one from a autoparts store, and bend the tube (ON THE SAME PLANE AS THE FLAT OF THE DIPSTICK) to fit.

 

I was thinking of that actually... and the store I work at (and others I called up) didn't have anything but the Mr. Gasket ones... and I haven't had good experiences with those ones.

 

the one piece rear main motors are smaller in diameter than the older 2 peice blocks at least it was on the 96 350 out of a truck we used in our camaro

 

why don't you just spend 20$ bones and get a flexible tube i saw them on horsepower tv and at least then you can use it over and over.

 

are those the braided hose type that have a bracket that it mounts too ??

 

Sounds like it... I know Lokar makes those, but if being pinched between the head and exhaust, wouldn't it melt?

 

i still say get a stock on and practice to get the correct angles you want then buy a chrome one and bend it the way it needs to be with out kinking it which might be a hassel if you have to bend it alot ? if you go with a stocker thou you can heat it with a propane torch and then bend it to where you want without having to worrie about it crimping on ya

 

Well, its just gotta snug right up against the head, so it can fit between the head and exhaust manifold, but last time I tried that with the stock one, it was too short and didn't come up above the manifold.

Is there any vehicles that would have a longer one?

 

I had to do the same thing when I put my 77 350 in my 85 with the stock manifolds. If ya want it PM me your addy and I will send it to you don't need it anymore. It worked just fine was about 1 1/2 in above the manifold. But boy did it get hot! Just check your oil before you start it up....lol

 

#2

 

#3

 

Well, if it works (don't see why it wouldn't though), that would be great!

I know all about the heat thing too, lol... I had a working dipstick for awhile (handle snapped off after it got too hot and something bumped it), and I lost a few finger prints one night

Check your PMs, Chris

 

Yah, I had this one in for about 5 years and I don't think I have one finger print left....lol

 

OUCH!!! but hey if it works it works

 

Yea, and the fact that the handle was chrome wasn't helping anything

 

yeah i know vans have long dipstick tubes

 

Whatever you do, don't put in one of those cheap chrome ones!! I had one for about a year....went to check the oil one day, wiped off the dipstick, just happened to look down at the rag and saw a bunch of shiney metal flakes Thought the motor was toast! Took me a minute to realize it was the chrome flaking of the dipstick

 

never had that happen before ...weird.....ive run chrome ones for 10+ years im sure it happens thou

 

Something I've seen done that works pretty good.
Find a header flange that you can remove the tubes from and grind out the holes the primaries were welded to, to match the holes in the exhaust manifolds and use it as a spacer between the exhaust manifold and the head and it gives you plenty of room to run the dipstick between the head and exhaust manifold.
It's more work but beats mashing the tube to get it to fit.

 

now that sounds like a cool idea

 

Thats actually a really good idea... use the flange like a spacer, eh? If I could get my hands on a set of header flanges, I'd try that

 

Yes the thicker the header flange the better. Just find you a set of rusted out headers,cut the tubes off and have at it with a grinder.You should be able to pry the manifold far enough away from the head to slip the flang and gaskets in.

 

How about a Lokar flexible stainless dipstick tube, looks great and can be mounted in various places