Dipstick question

[688guy]

I'm probably gonna sound like a real dipstick here, but I have a dipstick issue...My Elco has a 350 crate engine and I've only changed the oil once since I've owned it (I've driven it less than 1,000 miles), but when I add 5 quarts it shows to be 1 quart low. I don't believe it has a larger 6 quart pan and I don't even know if they make one or not. When I first changed the oil I just assumed it had the wrong dipstick in it because I know I put 5 quarts in it, so I didn't worry about it much. Then after my mind did that worrying about every little thing like it always does I started wondering if modern crate engines might actually take 6 quarts, I know my Jeep does, so is that possible? If the consensus is that my engine does indeed only take 5 quarts, I think I'll take the dipstick tube off and dremel the 3/4" or whatever the measurement is between FULL and ADD is, then reinstall it...and yes, I did check it after starting it and filling the oil filter,. Also, my oil pressure gauge is the only one that doesn't work, so I can't say exactly what my pressure is, but I don't hear any odd noises, so I'm assuming it's fine...Any thoughts on this?

 

[MrSony]

DO you check your oil hot or cold? Most Older GM V8s only take 5-5.5 quarts with stock pans. Fix your oil pressure gauge. If it's a mechanical gauge, all it needs is a copper/nylon line from the gauge to the pressure port on the block.

 

[MrSony]

If none of that fixes it, just get a new dipstick tube. One from any 350 chevy will most likely fit, maybe even from a 305.

 

[688guy]

I have the factory gauges, not the cheap "idiot" lights, so it an electrical issue or the sender or gauge itself is bad. I did get a new sender, but they sold me the wrong one, so I need to get the right one and eliminate that. I put a new circuit board in it, so that's not the issue...I got to thinking that maybe the tube itself isn't seated all the way down 'cause it does kinda move from side to side...I guess I need to get under it again...

 

[Texas82GP]

I have a 350 crate engine. It's the old style two piece rear main style block. It has provisions for a dipstick on either side of the block. The literature that came with the engine gives part numbers for the dipstick and tube for either side. They are different part numbers depending on which side.

What crate engine do you have?

 

[pontiacgp]

My first thought is to park it until you fix the oil gauge problem. I also wouldn't start trimming the dipstick tube to hide the issue and I doubt you have a 6 quart pan. What is the part number of the crate engine?

 

[688guy]

I'm not really sure which crate engine, the PO just said it was a crate engine, but it does have a serpentine belt. It came with $4,700 worth of receipts, but that didn't include the engine, so I'm really not sure...The dipstick is on the passenger side, but I guess it warrants my looking into it a little further. I just wanted to see if maybe 6 quarts was maybe something new...

 

[79 USA 1]

Which oil filter are you running? The tall truck type ( Fram PH5 ) will take a full quart while a short filter ( Fram PH30 ) only holds about a 1/2 quart.
I'm just using the Fram part numbers as an example.
I run the tall filters on all my small blocks and they take 6 quarts on a full change.

Bob S.

 

[Texas82GP]

I don't think it takes 6 qts. if it is a stock type of pan.

 

[pontiacgp]

If it took 6 quarts it would be obvious when you changed the oil cause it would be an aftermarket pan and not shaped like a stock pan. Make sure the dipstick tube is installed properly and it hasn't pulled out. If the tube is in all the way I would go to a wrecking yard and pull a dipstick from a 350 and match it up to the one you have.