Oil Dipstick Placement Dilemma

[lastdime]

I have a 460 SCJ and can’t figure out where the dipstick should go. I purchased a Canton 15-750 from sump from Summit Racing to replace the rear sump oil pan that came with the engine and has its own set of problems. However, there is no provision for the dipstick in the oil pan (Did I buy the wrong one?). The other option I am told is to run it through the timing cover, but again, there is no entry point on the timing cover. I understand they come with and without an oil dipstick opening. Is there another option or location that I am missing that would allow for a dipstick. I’m getting pretty frustrated with what should be a very simple issue.

[Tom Wells]

lastdime,

It would seem the 150-750 hasn't a built-in dipstick.

All the 429-460s I've seen use either a front cover (timing chain cover) dipstick, which would likely work with that pan, or a pan-mounted dipstick.

You can buy a different front cover for your engine with the dipstick provision; just be sure to get a dipstick with it - they are getting hard to find. The covers can sometimes be found at a junkyard, or bought as aftermarket items. The dipstick in the cover is located toward the passenger side of the water outlet. If your engine is out, this may be the simplest solution, otherwise replacing that front cover in the car could be a fair chore...

Option 2 would be to send the pan back and get an equivalent one with a dipstick in the pan. Typically the pan-mounted dipstick is on the driver's side and is usually placed where it comes up between the primaries of the header on that side.

Option 3 would be to check with Lokar or one of the other aftermarket folks (maybe Canton too?) and see if they make a dipstick that could be added to your pan, most likely on the driver's side.

Enjoy solving this problem! There may be one or two others along the way, so don't get discouraged...

Tom

[lastdime]

Tom, I have gone with option 2. The Canton 15-750 has been sent back to Summit and the 15-764 will soon be on its way. Unfortunately I won't be able to work on that part of the car over the holidays but I have plenty of other work that needs to be done. Thanks for the help.

[kevins2]

I assume you also bought a dipstick kit? You'll need to bend it to "snake" it up to where you want it and then calibrate it.

Sounds like you're on the right track...

Kevin