Today I do not use a dip stick because I usually change my
oil after each days event. Otherwise if I am going to do some cruising I don't worry about my
oil level since it was probably just changed.
When I did run a dipstick I had a bung drilled and welded into my
oil pan close to the front because I had less bending of the stick and my dipstick tube. I too have problems reading the chrome dipsticks, especially when the oil is brand new.
Clois