How far is the tube sticking out from under the exhaust manifold? I am addressing a problem I have known for a long time just now getting it back on the road. Fresh oil change with 5 quarts and new filter. Oil barely reads on the dip stick. I went several years ago to supercars unlimited and he pulled one from the shelf and compared to mine. It was the same. So I believe the dipstick is the proper length. So I suspect the tube is not proper seated all the way in? The tube extends 5" above the exhaust manifold and the dip stick is 17.5".

 

This may help

 

Thing about it is this. Without stating what engine and model you're referring to it's a guessing game to suggest what the issue is. It would "appear" (from your measurement) you have a 350 oil indicator dip stick. What engine and model is this?

 

Looking at the pic above, it stands to reason that the more of the tube is above the dimples, the longer the stick should be. If I remember correctly the 67 442 has a dip stick that is all flat metal with a curved handle, not the round one shown in your pic.

 

I must have missed it - how did you figure out it's a '67 4-4-2?

 

sorry 72 Cutlass with 350

 

If the engine has been rebuilt I wonder if someone put a 455 dip stick tube on it? Can you take something like a piece of gas welding rod, thin but stiff, run it down the side of the tube until you hit the collar? Then measure that length and compare it to the diagram oldcutlass shared?

 

The tube is out an inch or so. See if the bulge on the tube is seated on the block.

 

I never said it was a 67 442. I said on a 67 442 the original dipstick is flat with a curved handle.

 

My thoughts, as well - perhaps a 455 tube was installed. A thin/long piece of cardboard or even a piece of paper rolled into a tube you could slide that paper tube around the outside of the dipstick tube then measure the cardboard or piece of paper.

 

great idea, I will try that

 

It is seated in the block. Ran a wire down with a bend at the end to feel the inside lip as suggested. It is approximately 17" total length. OPGI says 350 tubes are 15" and 455 are 16 3/4". Close to my measurement with the wire. Seems like I could just buy the 455 dip stick as oppose to swapping the tube and possibly breaking it during removal?

 

I'm confused. The measured distance from the end of the dip stick tube to the point where the tube (bulge) enters the block should be 9 5/8". Did you not measure this distance?

 

Well I misread that measuring method. I actually ran a wire with a slight bend on the end inside the tube to the oil pan so I could feel the lip on the inside, it worked well. It is 16 3/4". Then I measured with a brazing rod to the block and the top of the tube. Was just under 12". So both tell me it's a 455 tube.

 

You can just cut the tube you have to the proper length.

 

Does anyone on this form have a dipstick TUBE that measures 11 3/8" as the pic's above if so I'm very interested
Thanks
sch1440