Oil Dip Stick Tube

o vette · 07-02-2012, 09:56 PM

I was cheking the oil on my '77 and the dip stick tube fell out. Tried to push it back in but, it is far to loose to do that. I'm not sure that the tube is the right one for this L48 motor. The hole in the block looks like it is threaded. At the bottom of the tube there is a flared portion 1-1/2 inches from the bottom but, I can't press it in because the tube only inserts 3/4 of an inch. II would like to drive the car very temporarily but, I'm afraid oil will spill out. Could I insert some kind of plug to seal the tube or should I just order a new one and hope it will fit? I doubt I am getting an accurrate reading of the oil level. I have read here that some wrap aluminium foil around the tube to make it snug, however, this one is really loose and would take quite a bit of foil. Any suggestions would be much appreaciated. Thanks!

vettex2 · 07-02-2012, 10:24 PM

JB weld

toobroketoretire · 07-03-2012, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o vette

I was cheking the oil on my '77 and the dip stick tube fell out. Tried to push it back in but, it is far to loose to do that. I'm not sure that the tube is the right one for this L48 motor. The hole in the block looks like it is threaded. At the bottom of the tube there is a flared portion 1-1/2 inches from the bottom but, I can't press it in because the tube only inserts 3/4 of an inch. II would like to drive the car very temporarily but, I'm afraid oil will spill out. Could I insert some kind of plug to seal the tube or should I just order a new one and hope it will fit? I doubt I am getting an accurrate reading of the oil level. I have read here that some wrap aluminium foil around the tube to make it snug, however, this one is really loose and would take quite a bit of foil. Any suggestions would be much appreaciated. Thanks!

Use an oil resistant silicon like Permatex Ultra Black. Coat the outside of the tube then when you're inserting it gently tap on it's top with a small hammer. The tube is supposed to be a "light" press fit which would mean it shouldn't fall out by itself............................

o vette · 07-03-2012, 06:44 AM

Thanks for the replies. I was going to try the Permatex but the tube only goes in 3/4 of an inch. And, that is 3/4 inch below the flare in the tube, so, it looks like it should go in another 3/4 to the bottom of the flare. I'll do some more investigating. I'm really new at this sort of thing and I'm sure you guys are light years beyond me.

vettex2 · 07-03-2012, 07:56 AM

the flare should be flush

o vette · 07-03-2012, 01:06 PM

I'm feeling really dumb. Got this Vette about a week ago and should have ckecked the oil sooner. Looked at the dip stick tube more closely and then reversed it, top to bottom, and that was the problem. I must have put it in wrong when it fell out. Going with the Permatex to make it a bit more snug. Thanks, alot.

fishslayer143@yahoo.com · 07-03-2012, 02:13 PM

well, now you know how NOT TO INSTALL a dipstick tube.. we all learn by doing.. you will too .. welcome to SV .. great bunch here.

imariver · 12-07-2012, 08:01 AM

FYI . . . Another fix for a lose dipstick tube is "loc-tite" #609. But you have to make sure that there is no oil resiude on the tube, or in the hole. I used Q-Tips soaked in acetone.
No more loose tube, no more oil leak
Steve

TimAT · 12-07-2012, 10:02 AM

RTV won't stick either if there are any trace amounts of oil.

bluedawg357 · 12-08-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toobroketoretire

Use an oil resistant silicon like Permatex Ultra Black.

X2. This is what i did when I did the heads on the l48.

07-02-2012, 09:56 PM	#1
o vette Smokin Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: new york Posts: 17 My Gallery	Oil Dip Stick Tube I was cheking the oil on my '77 and the dip stick tube fell out. Tried to push it back in but, it is far to loose to do that. I'm not sure that the tube is the right one for this L48 motor. The hole in the block looks like it is threaded. At the bottom of the tube there is a flared portion 1-1/2 inches from the bottom but, I can't press it in because the tube only inserts 3/4 of an inch. II would like to drive the car very temporarily but, I'm afraid oil will spill out. Could I insert some kind of plug to seal the tube or should I just order a new one and hope it will fit? I doubt I am getting an accurrate reading of the oil level. I have read here that some wrap aluminium foil around the tube to make it snug, however, this one is really loose and would take quite a bit of foil. Any suggestions would be much appreaciated. Thanks!

07-02-2012, 10:24 PM	#2
vettex2 Smokin 3000HP Drag Racer Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Spotter Posts: 3,616 My Gallery	JB weld __________________ NASCAR Winston Weekly Racing Series Track Championship Crew Member (Dirt Track) NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Track Championship Crew Member (Pavement) NASCAR Whelen All American Weekly Series Track Championship Crew Member (Pavement) NASCAR Whelen All American Weekly Series California State Championship Crew Member (Pavement)

07-03-2012, 07:56 AM	#5
vettex2 Smokin 3000HP Drag Racer Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Spotter Posts: 3,616 My Gallery	the flare should be flush __________________ NASCAR Winston Weekly Racing Series Track Championship Crew Member (Dirt Track) NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Track Championship Crew Member (Pavement) NASCAR Whelen All American Weekly Series Track Championship Crew Member (Pavement) NASCAR Whelen All American Weekly Series California State Championship Crew Member (Pavement)

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07-03-2012, 06:44 AM	#4
o vette Smokin Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: new york Posts: 17 My Gallery	Thanks for the replies. I was going to try the Permatex but the tube only goes in 3/4 of an inch. And, that is 3/4 inch below the flare in the tube, so, it looks like it should go in another 3/4 to the bottom of the flare. I'll do some more investigating. I'm really new at this sort of thing and I'm sure you guys are light years beyond me.

07-03-2012, 01:06 PM	#6
o vette Smokin Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: new york Posts: 17 My Gallery	I'm feeling really dumb. Got this Vette about a week ago and should have ckecked the oil sooner. Looked at the dip stick tube more closely and then reversed it, top to bottom, and that was the problem. I must have put it in wrong when it fell out. Going with the Permatex to make it a bit more snug. Thanks, alot.

07-03-2012, 02:13 PM	#7
fishslayer143@yahoo.com Smokin 5000HP+ Posting Maniac Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Iberia LA Posts: 6,906 My Gallery	well, now you know how NOT TO INSTALL a dipstick tube.. we all learn by doing.. you will too .. welcome to SV .. great bunch here.

12-07-2012, 08:01 AM	#8
imariver Smokin Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Stanton CA Posts: 12 My Gallery	FYI . . . Another fix for a lose dipstick tube is "loc-tite" #609. But you have to make sure that there is no oil resiude on the tube, or in the hole. I used Q-Tips soaked in acetone. No more loose tube, no more oil leak Steve

12-07-2012, 10:02 AM	#9
TimAT Smokin 500HP Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Gladstone (Kansas City) Missouri Posts: 503 My Gallery	RTV won't stick either if there are any trace amounts of oil.

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