Oil dipstick....

1

1936 ford pickup

Senior Member
Hello to All....maybe a strange question....
I notice on my '36 Ford pickup a very slight mist / residue of oil on my exhaust manifold in the area of the oil dipstick and tube, It appears a very slight mist / residue of oil is coming out the top of the oil dipstick tube. Did the oil dipstick originally come with any material (felt, cork, etc.) on the underside of the "cap" on the dipstick where it rests on the top of the oil dipstick tube. I have placed a circular piece of indoor /outdoor carpet on the underside of the "cap" which seems to work well, but was just curious if the oil dipstick originally came with any material on the underside of the "cap".

Bruce in California
 
That is usually caused by lack of proper engine ventilation. Check the cap on the oil filler tube where the fuel pump is mounted. The mesh can be cleaned by immersing the cap in a solvent, then removing from the solvent and allowing it to drain before putting it back in place. With clear ventilation, no seal is required in the dipstick
 
supereal said:
That is usually caused by lack of proper engine ventilation. Check the cap on the oil filler tube where the fuel pump is mounted. The mesh can be cleaned by immersing the cap in a solvent, then removing from the solvent and allowing it to drain before putting it back in place. With clear ventilation, no seal is required in the dipstick
Click to expand...


Wait a minute! I must'a just THOUGHT that I understood how that works.

So .....Are you suggesting that by cleaning the mesh in the OIL FILL CAP, that the excess crankcase pressure (containing oil mist) will mysteriously NOT seek an escape out through the dip stick tube any more? Al Borlin would say: "I don't think so, Tim."

1935 through 1948 engines NORMALLY exhaust pressure & vapors out through the vent at lower, front, right side of pan. That VENT could be partially blocked. The oil-fill CAP is the main path for FRESH air to be drawn INTO the crankcase. It is not designed to be a route for pressure RELIEF. The fact that there is an excess volume of crankcase gasses/pressure escaping from the dip stick tube suggests that the engine is producing excessive blow-by, likely more than the normal vent is able to vent adequately. Pressure is like electricity....it seeks the path of least resistance. But that oil fill cap with mesh is definitely designed to be a path for INCOMING air. DD
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Thin felt washer between the stick and the top of the tube. The felt us just below the round stop washer on the stick. Do not expect the felt from correcting the oil mist. but it may help.
 
Terry,I think the big '37 ford book talks about a felt washer under the small cupped steel washer on dipstick but didnt mention how thick. i just happened to have some lying around prolly 1/8-3/16"thick i think thats proper. Tom.
 
Got a pack of these from the dollar store, used the medium size.
 

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