[silverbullet07]

My upper oil dipstick tube is real loose from the lower tube. Is there a good way to tighten it up? I taped gentle with a rubber mallet but can easy seperate them when pulling the oil stick out.

any ideas?

[WDCreech]

Originally Posted by silverbullet07

My upper oil dipstick tube is real loose from the lower tube. Is there a good way to tighten it up?

As you should know, the upper tube is installed from the crankcase side and the the lower tube is press fit into it. I don't know of a way to tighten them up other than removing the pan which means pulling the engine.

[silverbullet07]

How about a lite coating of jb weld or somthing on the male before putting the two pieces together? Would that be Bad?

Should I order the new upper piece and see if that makes a difference?

[ANDYA]

The lower tube is held in position by either by the windage tray or a bracket that bolts to the main cap. That should be enough to keep it from falling out. If the lower tube is extremely loose and you don't feel comfortable you may be able to expand it with a tappered punch until it fits tight in the upper tube.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Seems like i saw a picture of your engine bay in another thread - and you have the long tall A/C dipstick. Post up a couple pictures and lets see whats going on.

It might even be an improvised configuration .

[silverbullet07]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Seems like i saw a picture of your engine bay in another thread - and you have the long tall A/C dipstick. Post up a couple pictures and lets see whats going on.

It might even be an improvised configuration .

Here are a couple of photos. The top half slips into the bottom half. The bottom half that goes into the block seems fine and tight. It the top half that slips into the bottom half that seems to loose. I tap it with a rubber mallet and it seems tighter but it still can easily been moved it dislodge by checking the oil.

I have to post other images in another post. Ipad seems to only allow one poset at a time.

[silverbullet07]

another photo.

[b-man]

Looks like you have an aftermarket upper tube extension and dipstick, a Lokar I presume?

I would simply use a length of quality rubber fuel hose and 2 hose clamps to keep it together.

The factory A/C cars used an upper extension that was held in place with a welded tab on the extension tube that was fastened down by a valve cover bolt if I'm not mistaken. Either way, it was held securely in place near the top with a bolted tab.

[silverbullet07]

Originally Posted by b-man

Looks like you have an aftermarket upper tube extension and dipstick, a Lokar I presume?

I would simply use a length of quality rubber fuel hose and 2 hose clamps to keep it together.

The factory A/C cars used an upper extension that was held in place with a welded tab on the extension tube that was fastened down by a valve cover bolt if I'm not mistaken. Either way, it was held securely in place near the top with a bolted tab.

you think if I replace it back to the pontiacs it would be a better fit? I dont even think this oil stick is the right length, It is 18" from the tip to the neck.

[b-man]

Definitely use a factory dipstick and tube if at all possible, a lot of aftermarket parts are more trouble than they're worth.

[silverbullet07]

How long is the stock non ac, manual oil dipstick for the 68 fb 400?

[ANDYA]

For a non-AC car the lower tube is all you need. You need the correct length dipstick for non-AC. I believe our host has them or put a post in the parts wanted section if you want an original GM.

[FrankieT/A]

As B-Man states the upper dipstick tube on an A/C car is bolted using a welded on tab. It actually bolts to the A/C bracket. Whatever situation you use: just change your oil put in the required amount of oil depending on pan being used. Start your car and run for a minute or two to fill the filter and check your oil. If it doesn't read "full" put a new mark at the oil level.

[silverbullet07]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

As B-Man states the upper dipstick tube on an A/C car is bolted using a welded on tab. It actually bolts to the A/C bracket. Whatever situation you use: just change your oil put in the required amount of oil depending on pan being used. Start your car and run for a minute or two to fill the filter and check your oil. If it doesn't read "full" put a new mark at the oil level.

I'm a little cunfussed about the upper tube. All the parts place show a little tube that connects to the one going into the block. If I do not have it the tube is below the header and I could not get a stick on. I saw the one for ac cars and it was taller.

Also I dumped all the oil and filter and put 6 qt of oil in and still no reading on the stick. My stick is 17.5 ".

How long is the dip stick suppose to be?

Can someone tell if I have a larger capacity oil pan?

[b-man]

Your oil pan is a stock pan with the standard capacity.

I would buy a stock dipstick, it will work with any brand of headers. You will need to bend the block tube inward or outward, but it will work. Been there, done that.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

i don't what you're working with or how/if it comes apart.

But if you can - shorten the tube an inch at a time until you get a reading on the stick where you can make a reference mark to keep watch on the oil level.
Until a better solution is acquired.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

This was the picture

[silverbullet07]

Originally Posted by b-man

Your oil pan is a stock pan with the standard capacity.

I would buy a stock dipstick, it will work with any brand of headers. You will need to bend the block tube inward or outward, but it will work. Been there, done that.

So the dipstick filler only comes up to where the header bolts to the heads?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by silverbullet07

So the dipstick filler only comes up to where the header bolts to the heads?

Correct.

[silverbullet07]

Thanks everone! I got it now. I'll order the correct dipstick on the next order.