[ycis]

upon removal of my ac compressor and bracket, im trying to find a cleaner way to secure the dipstick.

with the AC bracket installed, it mounts to the top of the rear bracket bolt. I was just going to cut a piece of round stock and make a sleeve for the factory bolt to go back into without the bracket, but it looks well...odd.

just out of curiosity, where does the dipstick mount in non ac cars?

[poncho447]

On non a/c cars the upper tube bolted to the valve cover. All you need is a non a/c upper tube, the dipstick is the same.

[ycis]

ah hah...thats way easier

thanks!

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by poncho447

On non a/c cars the upper tube bolted to the valve cover. All you need is a non a/c upper tube, the dipstick is the same.

For what year are you saying that?

I heard that '62 dipsticks (for example) are different lengths for A/C vs. non-A/C.

[Ollie]

KRE offers this non-AC dip stick.
http://www.krepower.com/Pontiac%20Misc.%20Parts.htm

Spotts lists these.
http://www.spottsperformance.com/dipsticks.htm

[poncho447]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

For what year are you saying that?

I heard that '62 dipsticks (for example) are different lengths for A/C vs. non-A/C.

1964-1965 are the same.

[poncho447]

Originally Posted by ycis

ah hah...thats way easier

thanks!

PY has the tube you need, RPE197B.

[ycis]

well im either retarded...have a blown head gasket...or this is how its supposed to be...who can tell me which =)

upon removal of the main ac bracket, both those bolt holes between the spark plugs are under pressure with coolant when the car is running.

While this seems like a very odd design to me...maybe thats just the way it was in the 60s?

or is it just a blown/damaged/improperly done head gasket?

[Ollie]

I would say you have a blown Head Gasket.
There should mot be any water leaking out of the bolt holes.

[poncho447]

Just to clarify, you did install proper length head bolts after removal of the bracket?

[ycis]

i used some spacers I made to match the length of the bracket posts and used the stock bolts to put back in place.

however once the car gets up to temp, water/coolant can clearly be seen spitting out from around the washer where it is tightened to the head.

guess I could have been off by a few MM on the spacers as I just eyeballed it

what is the length of the factory (non bracket ) head bolt?

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by ycis

what is the length of the factory (non bracket ) head bolt?

That is not a quick answer... If you search on posts I have made, I created a thread on the head rebuild (and obviously the reassembly) of my Star Chief's 389. I documented the bolt (well, screw, technically) lengths for my (and potentially others') benefit.

I seem to recall about 1/2" to 5/8" worth of threads visible when the head bolt was put into the head.

Hope it helps...

[poncho447]

Long head bolt 3 5/8"

Short head bolt 2 3/16"

The head bolts do not go into a water jacket so either the head gasket is indeed bad or you don't have the proper clamping force.

Personally I would just hunt down the proper length bolts versus using the spacers.

[ycis]

yar...gonna run to ace hardware this weekend and pick up some and cross my fingers its just not clamping enough.

[Deadhead]

Be sure to get hardened bolts!