Hi guys,
I have a 79 Cutlass with a newly-rebuilt 455/th400 that has sat for a few years with just the drivetrain bolted in. THIS is the summer I'm going to get to it...no, really.

Among other life goings-on, I got kind of frustrated with the reconstruction because I have a box full of random pulleys, accessories, bolts, spacers and washers, and I took the front clip off of this car years ago. So honestly, I have to figure out how it all goes back together.

Anyway, the particular frustration I'm having is the oil dipstick tube. The engine/trans install went really smooth, except for the fact that we dinged the oil tube while setting it in, probably because I was so concerned about hitting the HVAC box (it didn't). Anyway, I managed to get the broken tube out of the block, but I've now ordered TWO aftermarket tubes that just won't go in (both probably made in the same factory in China). The diameter appears to be too big for the hole in the block.

I was at the Carlisle (PA) swap meet this week and talked to the guys working the Oldsmobile repro tent, and they told me that guys online were complaining about the same problem.
The block is from a 74 Toronado, originally -- does anyone have a line on an OEM (don't care if it's used) dipstick? Will ANY Olds OEM style tube work? I see a couple on Ebay in excess of $100 saying 68-71 or 68-72
I no longer have the Toronado oil pan on there, either, just a stocker from some other V8.

It seems like a silly thing to stumble on, but it's been death by 1000 papercuts! Thanks for any advice.

Tom

 

The tubes and indicators are a matched set as different lengths of either would result in incorrect oil level reading.

One question - did you get all of the tube out of the block? I ask because the tube usually breaks just below the bulge ring and the lower part stays in the block.

 

Had same problem with aftermarket oil dipstick tubes. I mounted the tube in a drill and used a file to remove a little bit of material from the tube while spinning at a slow speed. Go slow and test frequently.

 

Thank you. Yes, fortunately I got the entire tube out, using an EZ out type of bit. Been there, done that before, unfortunately!

 

All repro dipstick tubes have the two beads formed incorrectly. I got one from Supercars a number of years ago it even that one had this problem. The plated ones are even worse due to the thickness of the plating. The simple solution is to file the beads until the OD matches that of an OEM tube. The beads on the repro tube were 0.010" larger in diameter than those on the old OEM tube. After filing to fit, the repro went in just like an OEM.

 

Good to hear you got the dipstick tube remains removed. I had the same problem and used an EZ Out bit and long needle nose pliers to remove the dipstick tube remains.

FWIW, don't get a Mr. Gasket dipstick. It doesn't fit, as Joe mentioned