Mine sits and twirls in place and doesn't make a good seal on the block resulting in oil splash down by the starter. Any suggestions or pointers on the best way to replace it?

 

Does it have a bracket part way up the tube that fastens to a manifold stud or something to keep it stationary? If so, you should be able to smear some oil-resistant RTV around the outside of the tube at the bottom, stab it in, fasten the nut to the stud, let it dry overnight, and be leak-free. Pretty much standard procedure.

 

Hmm, sounds easy. Been eyeing one of those Lokar units. Looks nicer than the factory one. Was hoping it was more involved so I could twist my own arm into getting one since I just "had to take the old one out..."

 

The "Looks nicer" part isn't likely to accomplish anything over an undamaged factory part
Seriously, just my opinion that proves valid more often than not when you just need to satisfy a basic utilitarian function like this one.

 

Yeah, but...lol

Oh, and I checked, the little tab that held it on to the header bolt is rusted/broken off.

 

I love Lokar. Still want to get their Kickdown and throttle cable setups. I have their Oil & Trans dipsticks. I'll post pictures later today if you want. Actually, I'll post them anyway. For me it was how they could be installed without sealant (I still used a dab) and how they locked in place with the double o-rings. Just a very nice piece.

 

I would love to see some pictures. From what I understand, Lokar has two styles of oil dipsticks, one short and one more of a standard height. I've never seen the trans dipstick installed before. Looking forward to seeing them!

 

If your dipstick tube is loose, its an easy fix. Autozone sells a cheap dipstick that will bolt to the side of the block. Its chrome so you know it adds 1-2 HP!

If you dipstick tube cant be pulled out... you have to pull the oil pan, drop the exhaust, remove the engine mount bolts, jack up the engine, rotate the engine to miss 1 & 5 connecting rod journals and the oil pan should drop out. Simple.

 

Eww....that doesn't sound like fun at all. Probably going to have to deal with it then until I pull the motor to piant the car if it won't come out easy.

 

That seems like an awful lot of work. I've always had good luck by putting a bolt that fits the tube in the end and a pair of vise grips clamping the tube down on the bolt. Twist and pull. No pulling anything but the tube.

 

Sorry for the wait. The oil dipstick is fully installed. The trans is zip-tied, since it is a bit "short" not the dipstick, but the overall length, to have it mounted nicely on the firewall. I may make a bracket for it off the firewall.

 

That looks good! If I can get this one out, I'm definitely going that route.

 

If you are getting aftermarket ds, I'd make sure the markings line up with the old.