Dipstick Question . . .

[marcd]

Since the PO didn't fee it was necessary to have an engine oil dipstick :rolleyes: , I'm replacing it (Seemed like a good idea). I'm assuming I don't want to put any foreign substances on the tip, so how do I get it to stay? I figure i could use a little encouragement from a mallet or channel locks. Hopefully some of you that have done rebuilds can let me know what you did. thanks.

[andy d]

i replaced the tube recently, i just pushed it init has a swaged spot where it crushes a bit to seal to the block.

[kjax]

There's a metal tab that bolts to the valve cover with a hole in it for the dipstick. You probably want that. I put a dab of rtv where it it's flared for the block.

[marcd]

After spending the last two days totally rebuilding my brakes (well 3 of 4), I had a minute to take care of the dipstick. It wasn't going in and I realized the old dipstick tube must have broken off right at the flange that rests on the block.

I know I'll probably end up having to drop the oil pan but I'm really going to try to avoid that. I might try threading a sheetmetal screw into the dipstick. Hopefully it will catch enough that I can then pull it out.. . .ah who am I kidding, I'm going to have to end dropping that Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley pan :(

[J20fan]

you can remove the broken piece without pulling the pan see here (http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=005779) this is just one post on the subject, there are many.

[Quartermaster]

You may not need to remove the oil pan. I was able to push mine into the pan without too much trouble. The hole in the 360 block is .3125 (5/16) diameter. I used a 5/16 bolt and tapped the broken tube into the block. To install the new one, you will have to remove the exhaust manifold as the tube runs between that and the head and is bent in an "S" shape. I did it without removing the manifold once, then did it again two weeks later with it removed. Installed it by putting a 5/16 open end wrench on the flaired section and tapping near the end of the wrench with a hammer. Don't use an air chisel as it flattens the tube. Ask me how I know :mad:

[jeepsr4ever]

DONT drop the tube into the pan! You can get it out without dropping the pan and on install use a small wrech and use it to collar the tube as you tap the wrench with a little hammer REMEMBER HOW THE OLD ONE CAME OUT so your dipstick goes in teh small hole in the oil pan baffle, got a new one? Need a new one?

[AM Woody]

Can this be done on a '90 GW with stock exhaust manifold without removing it? I have one and didn't see how it could be done w/o taking the manifold off...

[Quartermaster]

I don't see how it would be possible to install a new one without removing the manifold as it follows the countour of the block and head. In the long run it would have been easier to remove the manifold than to re-replace the tube.

It is possible to remove a broken off stub with an easy out and various other tools. I was only able to retrieve about half of it though as the rest went in the pan, I had a momentary lack of patience.

[marcd]

Thanks guys.

It sounds like I might be on the right track with using a screw to pull it out. Of course, the way my manifold bolts look , dropping the pan may have been the easy part. I need to remove them anyway to install new air tubes.

I'm sure the tube would just stay on the bottom if I pushed it through, but 4 inches of metal that close to the crank scares the bejeezus out of me!