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Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill?

Posted By: lockjaw-express

Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 04:26 AM

My Indy Aluminum Hemi block is not drilled for a dipstick. That said, is it possible to drill from underneath the engine after I remove the oil pan?

The engine is a 605 CI, and I am wondering if that is the reason for no dipstick?

I would like to drill from the bottom as the engine is already installed in the car.

Thank you for any suggestions, Mark

Attached picture IMG_0882.JPG
Posted By: madscientist

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 04:29 AM

I don't run a dip stick.

If it doesn't leak, and it doesn't use oil what's the need?
Posted By: ozymaxwedge

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 04:34 AM

Have a look at drilling and fitting a tube to the side of the pan
Posted By: rickraw

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 04:50 AM

Get a sight glass.
Posted By: GY3

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 04:57 AM

Why do you need one?
Posted By: Hot 340

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 05:22 AM

As Rick said. Put a nice sight glass at the right level. Its not a bad idea to see if your oil looks like a milkshake from a water leak.
Posted By: lockjaw-express

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 05:32 AM

I would like to have a dip stick in the "original" place on the block...good way to check for any oil/water problems.

I have seen seepage from Pan mounted dip sticks, and the sight glass weeps oil as well. Both over time will start to leak, or seep oil.

With the long tube, the oil has less chance to leak or blow out.

Thanks, Mark
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 05:39 AM

I would remove the oil pan and have a stock wedge steel dipstick tube welded into it up front and use it that way up scope twocents
Buy the same year dipstick at the same time and then calibrate it and mark it for your needs thumbs
Posted By: hemi-itis

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 05:56 AM

If installed properly,a sight window leak is not common.They have sight glasses it carbs!
Posted By: Oyvind Mopar

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 10:16 AM

I have done it from below, to a Megablock (iron) with a patched portion lacking the dipstick hole. I took measures from an old 440 block (any B/RB) and bored straight up till the hole was some .050"-0,1" deep, to steer the drill, then you sight and use the same angle as the cylinders/pistons (45 degrees). Be careful when the drill goes through on the backside. The hardest part is to get the new dipstick in from top, in a cramped engineroom. I used an openbox wrench around the dipstick flange and hammered it down, with RTV. Good luck!!
Posted By: B G Racing

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 03:49 PM

We put the dipstick tube to the side of the pan,there are kits available or just weld aluminium or steel block or round bar stock, drill and thread and use aftermarket thread on dipstick.Putting the tube in the stock location when using headers is a PITA.Do this below any windage tray to keep the dipstick away from the crank.
Posted By: markz528

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 07:56 PM

Originally Posted By Hot 340
As Rick said. Put a nice sight glass at the right level. Its not a bad idea to see if your oil looks like a milkshake from a water leak.


Any suggestions on what site glass to use? I do have some ideas but was curious what others used.
Posted By: Hot 340

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 10:29 PM

look on msc industrial's web page. There's a ton. Heres an example.

Attached picture Rad-Rods-By-Troy-Power-Tour-Pre-Run-14.jpg
Posted By: Hot 340

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 10:33 PM

Originally Posted By B G Racing
Putting the tube in the stock location when using headers is a PITA.
Truer words have never been spoken Bob. It took us HOURS on Barry's car.😂
Posted By: CMcAllister

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 10:53 PM

Never had one in a race motor. Street engine that gets miles put on it is a different situation.

A vac-u-pan system with clear hose tells you exactly whats going on in the engine moisture wise. Or in the puke tank if you're using a vacuum pump. Or pull a breather and look at it for milkshake. A problem will show up there before you see it on a dipstick.
Posted By: Mopar_Rich

Re: Aluminum Hemi block no dipstick, drill? - 11/22/17 10:55 PM

When I was building HEMIs at Mopar Engines West I never put in dipsticks. Most guys are anal about changing their oil and if it’s not leaking or burning it, there’s no point. Nevertheless, I have had customers that demanded a dipstick rather than a blanky for emotional security. To me it’s a potential oil leak, a vacuum leak when running a vacuum pump, and snaking the dip stick around the headers is always fun. But yes, you can add it just by removing the pan a drilling a hole. I’d suggest making sure the new hole is dry and use “The Right Stuff” to hold the dipstick sleeve in the block.
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