wrong dipstick?

[baltobernie]

Some very early Spiders have a short, stubby dipstick. All others I've seen appear to be the same length. I've rebuilt my 1800, and my helper has powder-coated many of the external parts. We used many items from my engine, and several from his salvage inventory. We can't remember where this dipstick came from. The tube fits the stick, with the stick protruding a few inches beyond the end of the tube. But the installed assembly extends well above the timing cover, to the point where the hood will not close.

1. Are all dipstick assemblies beyond the 1438 engine interchangable?

2. Does the tube protrude into the block i.e. does the tube extend beyond the clinching nut?

3. Is there an index mark on the tube indicating how far the tube should be inserted? Lacking this, is there a measurement of height between the bracket and the tube opening?

[mbouse]

sounds like you have a Rat Fink tube (similar to the Rat Fink shifters)...

dipstick tube assemblies changed frequently, even among the two litres, and i believe your tube should protrude deeper than the cinch nut, but i cannot tell you how far.

if you are that high above the block, are you even touching oil with the stick? how far into that pan do you need to go to get an accurate reading? that should tell you if the tube you are attempting is satisfactory.

[baltobernie]

Haven't yet put oil in the new engine. One suggestion is to fill crankcase with correct amount, then adjust dipstick height until it reads correctly, but I was hoping for a more elegant solution

[manoa matt]

Bernie,

1. No
2. Yes, and Yes
3. No

That solution sounds pretty elegant to me.

Does the dipstick have a support brakcet that attaches to the first two bolts of the intake cam tower? The dipstick tube should be a larger diameter near the top, right above the support bracket it necks down.

[baltobernie]

We measured several 1800 motors, and all have the bracket exactly at the flare on the tube - so that's what I'll go with (then check with measured amount of oil). 4" between top of bracket and top of tube, and 8.5" from bottom of bracket to top of clinch nut, if any of you ever experience this situation.

[mbouse]

just went out and checked the '78, and came up with the same measurements.

[baltobernie]

Thanks, Mike and Matt.

Once I correct this, I've got two self-inflicted water leaks to fix, then its time to start 'er up! So much for my "Winter Project", still on jack stands on Memorial Day!