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Originally Posted by pfilean
Just did an annual oil change. As usual the oil readings seem weird. Supposed to be 4+1. But with 5 quarts in the reading just gets to add mark. So maybe I'm getting more alzhiemers than I thought. Put in one more quart and it still just gets to the add mark. I've had this happen before. Wasn't supposed to be any 5+1 engines in 61 and this is a base A1 (no A/C) stock setup. Should be very simple. And I still haven't cranked it over to fill the filter. (Yeah - I know - I should have filled it before I screwed in on.)
The dip stick tube looks to be the correct height and bolts to the valve cover bolt. Not an extended A/C tube. I can't get a good length reading on it above the block anyway. My PO had the engine rebuilt at one time in what I'm sure was basically a Chevy machine shop. So I wonder if in the poorly organized machine shop they just stuck in any old Chevy dip stick.
So the question to someone with a 61 non A/C engine is - what is the length of your dipstick? Mine is 24 inches from the cap to the end. 21 1/2 inches to full and 22 1/8 to add. And yes, the tubes in the pan are correct. I checked that a few years ago when I pulled the engine to fix some oil leaks.
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Mine is the same as yours. A couple months ago I was reading the Craftsman Service News, and found a recommendation for a 421 HO that wanted you to put in an extra 1/2 Qt and make a new full mark on the stick. Reason was accelerating hard may cause a loss of pressure. When I fill mine I have the same problem you do, but when I fill to the full mark and go on a 40-50 mile run, the next morning I have some oil on the floor. Not a lot though. I am using a 2 piece seal too. If I run it just below the full mark, no or less oil..Being a Porsche mechanic I live with oil leaks, just don't like them.
My original engine was the same as yours. I added factory AC that I bought from Indiana Pontiacs, and he sent me the dipstick and tube also. But it was the same as I already had. Later I built a 63 421 HO engine and used the same pan and stick. The 63 pan had a cutout in it for the starter and I want to install it someday. There isn't much room even for a mini starter with Long Branch manifolds. I was afraid the 63 pan would not hold as much oil. When I do install it I will go to the one piece seal.