1980 Oldsmobile V6 2.8L.
Bought it and checked the oil level. There was no oil in it. Added 4 liters (one gallon) of oil. Still nothing showing on the dipstick.
???
Decided to go ahead and change the oil and filter. Nearly 10 liters (more then 2 gallons) of oil came out!
Could the original dipstick have been replaced with a shorter one?
More importantly: where can I find an original?

 

You have a first year FWD Omega with the transverse 60 deg V6. The original part number for that dipstick (called "Indicator, Oil Level" in the parts book) is P/N 14024262. This apparently was only used on 1980-82 X-body cars with the 2.8 liter V6. Your chances of finding a new one are somewhere between slim and none, as nearly all of these cars were crushed and turned into Asian cars about two decades ago. Dipsticks from other applications do not appear to be correct. Of course, this assumes that the length of the dipstick tube is correct. Your best bet is to find a longer dipstick that fits in the tube. Change the oil, run the engine for a few minutes, shut it off and let it sit for a while so the oil all drains back into the pan, then check the oil level and scribe a line on the new dipstick that corresponds to the current oil level.

 

"finding a new one are somewhere between slim and none"
Thanks Joe.
Your suggestion is probably the best one, then.
I keep you posted

 

I owned a couple of front wheel drive 2.8 V6 powered cars. They are good on gas and pretty reliable. The TH125C is a reliable transaxle as well. The Varijet carbs are almost like Quadrajet cut in half. Go on Ebay, you might get lucky, lots of obsolete stuff on there. I'm not sure why there was a change after 82. My 84 Buick Century had a nearly identical drive train to my parents and mine 1982 Chevy Citation, yeah my family owned two. Mom and Dad bought that one and I got the 81 Delta 88 4 door. Yes, I got the better deal.

 

Not familiar with your engine, is the tube all the way int, can the tube be shortened in increments until you see a reading and scribe a line as mentioned above at full?