The dipstick (if you can get it in) should only go so far and always go that far. If its a first time fill, you could mark it and be relatively sure that that is the full line. Heck, even if you know its a 5 qt pan then your still good. All your using it for is to test whether the motor is burning oil etc. I like that suggestion as I know tearing out a motor is WAY TOO MUCH FUN!
