Hi All,

First the basic question, followed by a brief background explanation for those interested/curious:

Q: In relation to the top of the oil pan (i.e. where the pan meets the block at the pan gasket) can anyone tell me the correct position/measurement for the dipstick full mark? In other words, in inches, how far below the top of the pan should the maximum oil fill line be on a 440?

Brief background: After my RV 440-4 was rebuilt in 2008 it seems the dipstick (actually the stock ~3ft dip cable) tube was bent, incorrectly positioned, or both, leading me to add *way* too much oil for the past ~35K miles. Right now the dipstick full mark is essentially at the top of the pan, so I want to adjust it down to where it should be.

TIA for any responses!

PS Photo of the beast in question...

Do you know what pan is on it ? ...some RV pans are SEVEN quarts...

I didn't want to give TMI at first, but the pan type/capacity is part of the problem in my determining the correct level. A few months back I picked up a straight and clean front/truck sump pan from a Mopar yard in Phelan, CA, and noticed that its dimensions were larger than the beat-up stock front sump pan I was changing it out for. Assuming based on measurements that it held perhaps a quart or two more than my stock 7qt pan, I kept adding oil until it hit the bottom of my dip stick...which took 10qts!! Knowing this was way too much oil, but not knowing exactly what the capacity of this sump is, I decided to inquire about the maximum full mark in any configuration with a 440, which I believe should be the same no matter what type/capacity pan or vehicle with a 440 (?) Hence the question...

What I would do is fill your old pan up with 7 quarts of water and eye-ball the inside of the pan on where that puts you.

When you are mixing-up diff pans with diff tubes and dip-sticks that can be a rats-nest. You might have to pull the pan and eye-ball the whole combo ....

10 quarts ?... ...maybe you got a SS pan !

What year trucks used a front sump? I thought that only RVs used the front sump.
My 74 truck uses the rear sump pan with the wierdo dipstick. It has a fitting on the side of the pan that the dipstick fits into.

Here's the photo of the original pan w/ 7 qts water and the WT. Fluid level is just under 1/2 in from WT valley floor:

Apologies for the confusion! I my search for a pan in better condition I saw that 440source and other sites listed them as "front/truck" sumps, which I thus thought was the correct terminology. Here's an example:
http://store.440source.com/Oil-Pickup-Front-Sump-Truck-USED/productinfo/100-1028/
http://www.440source.com/oilpans.htm (scroll down to the 6th and 7th pans depicted)
I should have emphasized "motorhome" Oh well, it gave me an excuse to show off Pandora on the dyno...

Does the front sump use a traditional path for the dipstick ie: thru the block near the motor mount?

As per the above picts, can anyone confirm whether or not ~1/2 inch below the windage tray valley would be the correct (or at least a safe) full oil mark for a 440? TIA!

That's where I run mine, never a problem in years.

Many thanks for the response. Tonight I'll be pulling off the new pan to find out exactly what its capacity is, and set the dipstick level. Should be interesting!