hey all,

I posted this in the engine swap forum but haven't got any response yet, so I figured I'd see if anyone could answer here in the higher-traffic tech forum.

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--long story). I keep seeing 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 the fact 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)

[This message has been edited by clemsparks (edited May 30, 2001).]

 

the oil pans interchange, use your old one

 

if i were you I'd go with a windage tray, if possible...

might as well do it while the motor is apart, it's not much more to go that route

 

I'm not worried about the oilpan. I'm worried about using the passenger side dipstick with stock lg4 exhaust manifolds. I don't think that my lg4 ('83) oil pan will interchange with my earlier model 350 block since the dipsticks are on opposite sides...maybe though, I'm not sure..not my point anyway .

anybody know about using a stock type dipstick (whether stock to an f-body or something else) will be possible?

thanks
Clem

[This message has been edited by clemsparks (edited May 30, 2001).]

 

are you worried about using the AIR tubes?

if not, you should be able to get some older 305/350 exhaust manifolds that would do the trick for you, don't ask me what years, though

 

yeah, I'm planning on keeping all the smog and computer stuff intact. I'm trying to go for low hassle, factory look but with a little added umph.

I'm sure I can find something to work, I was just hoping someone else had already come up with a solution for this one .

thanks
Clem

 

You have two choices 1 buy a driver side exaust off of an older V8 and tap the new holes for the air tubes and then go to a muffler shop to modify your exaust. or get headers. I have gone through this before but I didn't have the choice of direct bot on headers. I had to buy headers and then go to a muffler shop to have a new Y pipe made.

 

The R.H. and L.H. dipsticks require the matching pans for the application. (you can't mix them)

As far as using a stock L.H. dipstick with the stock manifolds that are for a R.H. motor, it doesn't work.

I bought a kit that I machined and installed into the block on a 400 so that the dipstick was re-located to the pass. side. It was a one off piece we had laying around the machine shop, I don't know if they are still available.

As far as an easy fix, I don't know of one. (except buying headers)

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited May 30, 2001).]

 

Thanks guys,

I looked at the two engines tonight and you're all right...It won't work.

I've got a solution though! I'll fab up a sight tube on the oil pan of the 350 so I won't need a dipstick. Seriously, it shouldn't be that big of a deal

thanks
Clem