[ericwy]

Originally Posted by engineer

<snip> So it looks to me like the tube pressed into the block was not done correctly. On mine, I fit up everything before I put the pan on to be sure the angles and heights were correct. Also to check stick does not contact any moving parts in the block. Once closed up, there is no way to easily check if indeed the stick shows the correct level. mine is 6 quart stick while the 5 quart stick is almost the same mark and is the same overall length. So if the tube is not angled correctly, the mark will be off. At this point, guess you can drain all the oil and refill with correct amount and see if stick shows full mark.

Last oil and filter change with 6 quarts puts the level halfway between the add and full marks on the dipstick. How can I tell the difference between a 5 qt and a 6 qt dipstick?

Originally Posted by johnsma22

That is very strange. Did they modify or shorten the intermediate tube? How far up the block does the intermediate tube extend? The intermediate tube is 9" long, with about 1.5" of that retained in the block. It should extend up to just past the exhaust manifold. This isn't the greatest photo, but it shows the location of the dip stick. Like engineer stated, if they installed it at the wrong angle it won't locate the upper A/C tube in the right place. Unfortunately, there is no way to fix it without dropping th oil pan.

Its a long story but, gist of it is shop that built the engine went out of business just after I got my car back (I was lucky to get it at all). They made over 30 assembly goofs that I have been slowly correcting. This dipstick thing is just one.

When I get the car back from the body shop (this week?) I will take some carefull measurements of the tube sticking out of the block. One thing I can tell you is there
is a small kink in the tube where it enters the block as though they tried to bend the tube upward. Possibly they were trying to make it all fit.

I want to thank you guys for helping me with this, and I am sorry I am not able to provide the info quickly.

Eric