Dipstick and tube FE question

[Whaler]

Hi
Still putting off sticking my dipstick tube back into the engine
I only seem to get the thing in about 3/8 to 1/2 "
After that its as though there's a solid obstruction.

Is there a chance that now that I have a windage tray I didn't have before its hanging up there?

I stuck a ty-rap in the hole to feel the edges of the hole and theres definitely a lip of some sort.

You would think the tray would have allowance..maybe the tray is just off??

Curious

Tim

[427 S/O]

Whaler, I believe you have the same problem I encountered, I bought a dip stick and tube from a 390 junk yard truck engine, they are longer from the lip seal.
I had to go back and pull one from a 390
Galaxie, it works!!.

Perry

[Lumberman]

I read every now and then that Lokar will make FE sticks & tubes. If you want to combine an order, count me in.
Dave

[Whaler]

Hi Pat
Funny thing is that this is the original stick and tube...the only difference is now we have a windage tray I didn't have before.

If I can't get it to seat further I may just knock off some of the pressed insert length and use a good sealant around the outside perimiter of the tube.

As for Lokar I thought about that, but may have the same problem anyhow, as all tubes must get pressed into the bore somewhat.

Just bought an inspection mirror for a closer look

Tim

[SCOBRAC]

Lokar tubes only insert about 1/2 inch.. I used a rtv at the hole.. It worls great.. but it looks awesome..

[Whaler]

Mike do you happen to have a lokar part number for these FE tubes?

Mike don't worry about it I found your old post on the same topic....#5012 is the Lokar number

428CJ Dipstick and Guide Tube...

Thanks

Tim

[427 S/O]

Whaler, I don't believe I would 'cut' the tube, this may show full but, you may also have an extra 1/2 to 1 qt of oil. This problem has been floated around for some time and I'm still a little uncertain?, one of the replys I received sounds most logical....no matter what pan you use, if the dip stick shows full, then it's full!!. When I freshened up my
SO, I inserted the tube and dip stick with the oil pan off, the full mark is about 3 inches from the oil pan mounting surface and, the windage tray does not get in the way of the stick. Like everyone else, I don't care to have my crank take a bath.

Perry

[Whaler]

I have to get the tube to seat back to it's original position. ( this will be my ground zero reference point) The outside shoulder on the tube is still half way out from being driven home in it's original pressed position

If I can achieve that, then the dipstick will be where its supposed to be sitting in relation to the tube.

Something interferes with the tube going in all the way...who knows maybe its a matter of using a little persuasion on it. I remember pulling it out with vicegrips and a hammer twisting and working it gently.

Now going back in (BTW the motor's now in the car), I have only really pushed it down to where I could by hand. No force used at all. The weird thing is that sitting out where it is and with only 1/2" of insertion, the tube's exhaust bolt anchor tab is perfectly lined up with the header bolt hole right now? Are the edelbrock aluminum heads I now have much different than the original stock cast iron heads it used to have ? I don't think so.

Further work to be done today, its a real PITA ( pain in the ---)

Thanks Perry

[427 S/O]

The first tube I purchased also line up perfectly with the exhaust bolt but, with the tube not going all the way in I knew something was wrong. I remember looking down the tube hole on the block and there was a machined ridge about 1/2 inch deep. Another thing I noticed was that both sticks were the same length and the full marks were in the same position?.
Your right!.....it is a pain.
Let me know what happens.

[Whaler]

Okay Pathenry

here's the story....... I layed on my back under the car with my flashlight and inspection mirror. Like you, I can see a ridge about 1/2 inch in. it looks as though Ford simply didn't go all the way in with a 3/8 bit when drilling this bore. Coincidental that the ridge stops the tube exactly where the tab bolts to the exhaust manifold??? Its not a lot of metal to get past either as I can see the oil cavity right behind the ridge. Like an 1/8th" or so.
But anyhow there's no way this tube is going to get past that ridge. It probable never did either.

If the Lokar tube truly is 1/2 long on the insert end then that will work fine. My stock tube is too close to the headers anyway so I won't be using it.

So SCOBRAC (mike) is the tube from Lokar PN 5012?? and how much was it?? No such number in their catalogue or online site

Thanx

Tim

[Whaler]

officially from the tech at Lokar
PN ED-5012

for the BB FE Ford motors.

Tim