383 Dipstick

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!

I have a 69 383 that had a truck pan on it with the dipstick in the pan. In switched over to an E-body pan. The dipstick hole in the block had a bolts in it with some RTV. I was able to remove the bolt pretty easy.

I have an original dipstick, and of course forgot to put it in before I installed the engine, headers, etc. I am having a hell of a time trying to install it now (she is up on the lift if that helps). Anyone know any tricks?

Thanks
Jim

First, clean end of tube and hole in block with alcohol or acetone. Apply thin coat of "The Right Stuff" on end of tube. Now, go down from the top. Put a phillips screw driver in the top of tube and gently tap on end of the screw driver handle. Be sure the tab on the tube with the bolt hole is oriented correctly with where it fastens. The issue will then be access to install the tube's retaining bolt.

P.S. If the tube does not want to go in the block hole, I have had to reduce the diameter of new tubes with emery cloth in order to get them to fit.

Hope this helps at least a little.

Hi, thanks for the response.

My tube does not have a tab, just a tube with a slight bend. Came out of another 69 383 block.

I may have to sand the tube down a little..

Thanks,
Jim

another method that works is using a "crowfoot" wrench that fits the tube snugly and won't go past the flare "stop" at the bottom of the tube. then, using an extension of the appropriate length, tap on the extension until the flare is seated. you still must be sure the tube size is correct, which may need sanding/polishing to fit the hole in the block.