Looking for dipstick

[Nation77]

So I bought this 72 and it has a 350 in it. Seems to have a junky chrome dipstick and guide and the guide don't fit tight and keeps blowing out in me. What's a good dipstick out there on the market that will not only fit tight in my block but also the stick will also fit tight in the tube?

[cdowns]

gm parts are available at the gm dealerships

[xaircav]

Look at Lokar products.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Nation77

So I bought this 72 and it has a 350 in it. Seems to have a junky chrome dipstick and guide and the guide don't fit tight and keeps blowing out in me. What's a good dipstick out there on the market that will not only fit tight in my block but also the stick will also fit tight in the tube?

Maybe you need to figure out why it keeps blowing out on you.
Excessive crankcase pressure maybe!
Do you have a working pcv system?

[Gromit]

My two cents is to check the part number on your oil pan first, and make sure you know the capacity - there were different ones on the 350s though I think all trucks originally came with the larger capacity one but sometimes over the years people may have put say a Camaro 350 with its 4 quart pan or a GM crate motor with the same 4 quart (what I think of as a car-type pan)..

Those motors generally take 5 quarts to put the dipstick at full (4 quarts for the pan, and one quart for the system, assuming a filter change)..

You didn't mention if it is right or left side dipstick - that might help. Also the part numbers are stamped on the dipsticks and the tube length needs to match the dipstick.

Funny how such a simple thing can be so involved but it makes sense to me..and of course having the right one is critical to your motor living a long life..

Here is a cut and paste of the GM crate 350 specs:

"Oil Pan / Filter / Adapter / Dipstick:
The 350/290 HP engine block has provisions for both right-hand and left-hand dipsticks. The 350/290 HP engine includes
a 4-quart oil pan Part Number 10066039 which has the "double bump out" for both dipstick designs.
The oil dipstick for the 350/290 HP engine for the right-hand (passenger) side of the block is 10190942 (indicator) and
12552920 (tube). If not using right-hand dipstick, use plug 09421743.
The oil dipstick for the 350/290 HP engine for the left-hand (driver) side of the block is 03951576 (indicator), and 03876870 (upper
tube). P/N 03951600 (lower tube) is installed at the factory. If not using left-hand dipstick, use plug 14091563 to prevent an oil leak."

So I'd like to add CDowns gave you good advice regarding the Dealer.. though Lokar should work if it comes with the tube and dipstick - I'm not familiar with them..

[Nation77]

So when I pulled out the old dipstick tube looks as if they had grinded it down to make it go into the block easier.
I went to my local parts store and purchased a new one, got home and had to tap the new one into the block as I've seen done before. Sure seemed to be a tight fit. Took it out for a ride a couple of times and now the new tube has came back out of the block. Back to the drawing board..

[Orange Crate]

He just went down the street for coffee..he'll be right back...!

[Nation77]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Maybe you need to figure out why it keeps blowing out on you.
Excessive crankcase pressure maybe!
Do you have a working pcv system?

That's my next plan is to check out the pcv valve !

[Nation77]

So it looks as if I have a hose but no pcv valve. Could that be the problem?

[geezer#99]

Looks like one to me on the end of the hose! There are different types.
Pull it out of the valve cover.
Look down the hole.
Likely no baffle.
You need a baffle to keep the pcv from pulling oil through.
Where does the the hose connect to?
What do you have for air inlet on the other valve cover?
More pics needed!

[Ruscal]

My engine has a Lokar dip stick. It was leaking where it goes into the block. They use 2 O-rings to seal. I added RTV to the joint, and so far seems dry. They use a tab that fastens to a header bolt to keep it in place.
If your crank case is under pressure it should lift the stick out of the tube, but the tube should be held into the block by the press fit. Seems that the fit is loose.
Russ

[Nation77]

My pcv valve hose is connected to my carburetor vacuum line.
My passenger side valve cover only has an oil cap.

[geezer#99]

You need to replace that cap with a breather.
The breather lets air in to be mixed with the crankcase fumes and drawn out by the pcv.

[Nation77]

What's the difference between the Lokar dipstick and this Billet Industries dipstick?

[Ruscal]

They are similar. The one you show is just the stick without tube. My Lokar one is both tube and stick. The tube is steel braid hose. Lokar uses 2 O-rings at the block to tube joint.
Russ

[Nation77]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You need to replace that cap with a breather.
The breather lets air in to be mixed with the crankcase fumes and drawn out by the pcv.

I tried to get a breather today but it wouldn't fit. It was 1 1/4". It was too big. I thought that would be the standard.

[Nation77]

Originally Posted by Ruscal

My engine has a Lokar dip stick. It was leaking where it goes into the block. They use 2 O-rings to seal. I added RTV to the joint, and so far seems dry. They use a tab that fastens to a header bolt to keep it in place.
If your crank case is under pressure it should lift the stick out of the tube, but the tube should be held into the block by the press fit. Seems that the fit is loose.
Russ

I used some blue gasket maker RTV is that the wrong kind or which RTV should I use?

[Ruscal]

That should be OK. Cleaning all oil off the tube and hole is the trick to get any RTV to adhere. I have not checked my tube seal to see if it is working yet. It has only been a week since sealed.
Russ

[Bagd72Chevy]

I think you guys are pissing the problem. Why would the tube be pushed out of the block? If you push it in and drive around without the dipstick in it does it still come out?

Shouldn't the tube bolt to the head to help hold it in?