Oil level curiosities

[CBODY67]

In oil level things, the dipstick and dipstick tube are a matched set. One works with the other. From what I've seen, few Chrysler engine oil dipsticks get changed or swapped, so I would suspect that what is there is what is needed. UNLESS somebody got the "chrome bug".

Please keep us posted,
CBODY67

 

[Commando440]

In oil level things, the dipstick and dipstick tube are a matched set. One works with the other. From what I've seen, few Chrysler engine oil dipsticks get changed or swapped, so I would suspect that what is there is what is needed. UNLESS somebody got the "chrome bug".

Please keep us posted,
CBODY67

Well it is chrome, and the rest of the engine is not.
Ive just noticed also, that it says 'Taiwan' on it (the dipstick) so that is concerning.
It is a 1968 383 out of an australian dodge phoenix- but that wouldnt change anything, would it?
Id assume all chrysler parts from back then would have been US manufactured?

Ive just put 3.5Litres in (3.7q) and it is at the fill line.

So what i am thinking is, i need to order a new dipstick assembly.
Do you agree?

 

[Boydsdodge]

Well it is chrome, and the rest of the engine is not.
Ive just noticed also, that it says 'Taiwan' on it (the dipstick) so that is concerning.
It is a 1968 383 out of an australian dodge phoenix- but that wouldnt change anything, would it?
Id assume all chrysler parts from back then would have been US manufactured?

Ive just put 3.5Litres in (3.7q) and it is at the fill line.

So what i am thinking is, i need to order a new dipstick assembly.
Do you agree?

Get a service manual and check the capacity for your engine. Go under car and record the oil pan number, most have a 3 digit number.

 

[Big_John]

Well it is chrome, and the rest of the engine is not.
Ive just noticed also, that it says 'Taiwan' on it (the dipstick) so that is concerning.
It is a 1968 383 out of an australian dodge phoenix- but that wouldnt change anything, would it?
Id assume all chrysler parts from back then would have been US manufactured?

Ive just put 3.5Litres in (3.7q) and it is at the fill line.

So what i am thinking is, i need to order a new dipstick assembly.
Do you agree?

IMHO, you are over thinking this.

Yes, it sounds like the dipstick has been changed. While changing the dipstick tube isn't that hard, there's always the chance of breaking the bit of tube off in the block when you pull it out. Then it's not the end of the world, but you usually have to get creative to pull that little piece out.... and if you have to do that, your car is pretty much down for the count and not drivable. Since it's an aftermarket dipstick tube, the chances of it breaking off in the block goes up exponentially.

In other words, I wouldn't do it unless the engine was out of the car and I had the oil pan off.

So, again, unless someone has changed the pan (doubtful, but easy to check) fill and mark the dipstick. Easily done by scratching with a small file. 4 quarts plus 1 quart if you have changed the filter.

A dipstick is not a precision measuring instrument. It's only use is to be sure there is enough oil in the pan. A lot of variances can change where the oil level falls on the dipstick, including how long since it's been run and even temperature of the oil. It's really a quick reference and that's it.

What you have is functioning and all it needs is a new mark to make it agree with what's in the pan. I'd leave it alone and go enjoy the car.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Well it is chrome, and the rest of the engine is not.
Ive just noticed also, that it says 'Taiwan' on it (the dipstick) so that is concerning.
It is a 1968 383 out of an australian dodge phoenix- but that wouldnt change anything, would it?
Id assume all chrysler parts from back then would have been US manufactured?

Ive just put 3.5Litres in (3.7q) and it is at the fill line.

So what i am thinking is, i need to order a new dipstick assembly.
Do you agree?

1.) Get a dipstick meant for your engine.

2.) Check your oilpan. Be SURE it will at minimum have a capacity of 4 qts = 1 gallon = 3.7854118 litres. So, I suspect your current crankcase oil level is close to being correct, IFF* your oil filter is also filled.

*IFF is mathematical shorthand for If And ONLY IF.

 

[57fury440]

Do what Big_John said. Put the correct amount of oil in the motor, including the filter. Run it so it circulates, then shut it off and let it settle. Check the dipstick and score a line in it to show the correct fill level. You do not have to change anything.

 

[Commando440]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate all of the helpful input

 

[HWYCRZR]

You may notice my dipstick has an extra mark between add and full that I think my Dad re-marked a number of years ago. The new mark is spot on when loaded with 5 quarts. The interesting thing is that if I fill it to the full mark, after about 500 miles it stabilizes at the mid mark and will not go lower. At one of the C-body meets we compared it with another stock dipstick and found mine to be a little shorter than the other. I have an original tube so we compared from the handle down. My middle mark lined up with the full mark of the other.
I have n ideal where dad pulled this dipstick from. But it works.

 

[Frank Odenthal]

Whatever pan is used, a matching (depth) oil pickup needs to be used.

When using a deeper pan to add capacity, I still would like to have the oil level where it was original. Why changing the oil dip stick ? I think the „Full“ and „add“ mark should stay at the same Level. Please give me a explanation, if I‘m wrong.

 

[Big_John]

When using a deeper pan to add capacity, I still would like to have the oil level where it was original. Why changing the oil dip stick ? I think the „Full“ and „add“ mark should stay at the same Level. Please give me a explanation, if I‘m wrong.

You are 100% correct. What needs to happen in your oil pan is two things. First and foremost, there has to be enough oil in the sump to cover the pickup and provide oil at all times. The other thing is the level has to be below the rotating assembly.

In the mix, there's baffles in the sump to keep oil on the pickup under acceleration/braking and windage trays to keep the oil off the crank, but that's another topic.

Some guys will run a deeper pan with less oil just to help keep it off the crank.

 

[CBODY67]

There are other ways to gain capacity rather than just going deeper, with the "security" of the added depth usually being the crossmember in front of the pan sump. When possible, the added capacity can be on the side of the pan, in "wings". Variables determined by the use of the vehicle and available space under the car. In some medium-duty truck chassis situations, the added capacity comes from the length of the sump compared to the normal "car" oil pan.

If you want to add 1qt capacity with an oil pan with a deeper sump, IF you used that added capacity to maintain the OEM relationship between the oil and crankshaft, then the orig dipstick and tube can be used. IF you want to still use the orig oil amoung (with the deeper oil pan) to get more distance between the oil and the crankshaft, then a different dipstick and tube would be needed. If the sump was enlarged longitudinally, then the orig dipstick and tube can be used, maintaining the orig distance between the oil and the crankshaft.

CBODY67