Engine oil dipstick

[NJ C10 Guy]

I bought this for my '86 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-6238 passenger side dipstick

My block is a 14010207 80-85 350, 4 bolt main.

When it came in the mail it said on the packaging that it was for a camaro/firebird 82-91. I really didn't think it would make a difference since it's mounting to a 350. Figured they were pretty much cast the same.

I tried to attach it today, and where the tab comes off of the tube, it rests on one of my headers, about 6" from the block. I thought the tab was supposed to bolt to the block? It's not even close. If I spin it around it gets even worse. Is this the wrong dipstick tube, and if so which one should I buy?

[chengny]

You were sold a dipstick for a post 1985 engine.

Before 1985, the penetration in the block - for the dipstick - was up at the top of the block. It was actually an extension of the deck. The swaged stop in the dipstick tube was actually above the mounting bracket and the bolt that held the bracket to the block:





In later engines the block penetration was moved to a lobe that was cast way down low - just above the oil pan rails (BTW - the new style of block pentration was also on the other side of the engine). The mounting bracket/bolt, however remained at the original height.

Anyway, because the block pentration was now lower and the bolt hole was in the same position, the distance between swaged stop on the tube and the mounting bracket was much greater:




If you compare what you received with the two images above, you will probably agree that it is meant for a post 85 motor.

Here are a couple of images showing the routing and shape an OEM dipstick as used on a 1980 (or around there) 350: