Joel - I had a similar experience with dipstick curl. After I fired my FE for it's initial break-in period I pulled out the dipstick to check
oil level and found the end was broken off clean. The broken end was retreived after droping the
oil pan. I then noticed the replacement dipstick was prone to curling. It seems that they are hooking on the windage tray and being routed above it. I think the broken dipstick was whacked by a crank journal during fireup. The solution found was to bend a curve into the dipstick end to redirection the end past the windage tray. I have had no additional problems to date. When I get an oppertunity to drop the pan again I will grind back the windage tray in the area of interference. - Aggressor