I'm attempting to swap a 400 SBC into an '88 Caprice, using late '80s 350 F body exhaust manifolds. The problem I'm running into, is that the outlet on the F body exhaust manifold sits directly in front of the hole for the oil dipstick tube on the 400 block. Years ago, I owned a '79 Malibu with the 305 engine, and the oil dipstick tube went directly into the oil pan, on the left side of the engine, bypassing the normal oil dipstick tube into the block, for the same reason-the exhaust manifold interfered with having the oil dipstick tube going into the block. In 1980, GM switched the oil dipstick and tube over to the right side of the block. Anyway, I can get the '78/'79 oil pan, but the dipstick tube only sticks out of that pan for roughly 1". I'm trying to see if the rest of the dipstick tube and the dipstick for that setup are available anywhere. Does anyone here have any ideas? Thanks in advance.
'78-'79 Malibu SBC oil pan/dipstick question.
- Thread starter clean8485
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I've just seen the dipstick & tube on Fleabay in the past week. As for using the block mounted dipstick & tube it is possible. I had a 307 that used the manifolds from my old '79 Monte & it's smashed tube as an old owner swapped in an earlier 305 with out swapping the oil pan. Never had an issue with exhaust leaks on that side. Don't know how they went about getting the tube so the dipstick to easily go in & out or fit between the manifold & head. It's been just over 25 years since I've sen the engine & car so I have way of showing how this all worked together.
Thanks for the info Pagrunt. I've been trying to see if I could fabricate a dipstick tube, but the tube needs to bend at about a 45 degree angle right after it comes out of the oil in the deck surface of the block, and withat kind of angle, the dipstick doesn't want to make that bend.
I'm assuming that's with a flat style stick. I hate them, but what about the flexible universal type? Not the tube since it doesn't sound like it would fit, but the stick itself. The braided type. Would it be able to make the tight bend?
Thanks Sweet_Johnny. I have considered the newer style dipstick. Usually though (on most of them anyway), there's a plastic piece at the lower end of the dipstick with the "full" and "add" marks on it, and I'm not sure about the length of that plastic piece trying to make it through that bend in the tube either. That part of the dipstick might have to be trimmed, and if so, how much? At this point, I'm thinking it might just be easier to go with the '78/'79 style oil pan and dipstick setup.
Ahh, valid point. The pan entry sounds like the easiest solution if the tube can be found, and I may have one. No promises but let me check my pile.
I can't remember what setup it was but I recall having the oil dipstick trapped between the exhaust and head once myself, and was surprised that it even functioned.
those universal stick's on the earlier block designs are made to work with headers.they'e pretty short too.
Thanks melloelky, but even the universal dipstick tubes won't work for what I'm trying to do.
This may be a long shot but...When I put a 74 vintage 355 in my 86 El Camino many years back I had purchased the 78-79 oil pan, dipstick tube, and dip stick to use with the stock LG4 305 manifolds. When I went to long tube headers on this engine I went back to the block mount dip stick and tube so as not to cut and fabricate the pan entry tube mounting point. I may,.. May have the dip stick and tube somewhere in my parts collection from over 25 years ago. As I get a chance this week I'll see if it made the trip between storage units about 5 years ago. I have a habit of holding onto parts like that "Just Because". I'll let you know what I find.
If the dipstick and tube cannot be found did you think of using the older style manifolds that allow the block mount dip stick and tube like the manifolds below? Just a suggestion.
I'll see what I find.
If the dipstick and tube cannot be found did you think of using the older style manifolds that allow the block mount dip stick and tube like the manifolds below? Just a suggestion.
I'll see what I find.
Thanks very much 79 USA 1. If you find that dipstick and tube, please let me know. I've been fighting a spring cold since Friday, so not checking in often. I did consider the older style manifolds, but they don't really go along with the "look" that I'm trying to achieve for the engine bay in the car. I want it to still look original, just like a mildly modified 305.
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