dipstick conumdrum....

hardtimes

hardtimes

Well-known member
I received a B dipstick for the B short block that I'm working. Specifically asked for B dipstick ...preferably from an old B block ;) !
Well, I just tried putting this dipstick into B short block...something is wrong...I think :rolleyes:
So, I went to '30 roadster and pulled compared the two dipsticks. Now, I know something is wrong...but why ? I miked the two dipsticks and BOTH shafts came in a .253 +/-. However, the 'newly arrived' dipstick has THICKER handle area and will not go into block, as does my other stick does. Here is a picture that I hope make sense to you. Anyone recognize the dipstick on the right ? Same lengths, same shaft size but one on right will only go into block up to point shown on drawing.
Needless to say...this makes one heck of a difference in amount of oil shown as being in engine :eek: ! Does either of these look to be reproduction to anyone ? What to do...... Two pics in case one comes out bad.
 

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You need to close up that gap in the tang so that it will fit fully into the hole in the block. Just pinch the circle from top to bottom until both dipsticks look the same.
 
CarlG said:
You need to close up that gap in the tang so that it will fit fully into the hole in the block. Just pinch the circle from top to bottom until both dipsticks look the same.
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Hey Carl,
Yup, just what I thought, then tried ! It is just tooo BIG at the top even when closed up. Miked and verified that. Guess I could mangle it up with a grinder, eh :D
 
Kurt in NJ said:
To me they both look like reproductions ---too clean and shiney silver
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Hey Kurt,
I wouldn't know a nos from a repro, that's why the question.
I will admit to being a 'clean freak' around an engine :D I clean and make such pieces shiney clean. But, the one on right is definitely too thick, where doubled over ...to go into block....not even close. Guess I'll have to call supplier tomorrow....for a replacement....OR drill out the block stick hole :eek::rolleyes: !!
 
1930 coupe said:
Just for comparison this is what original model A dipsticks look like, the long handles are early ones.
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Ok, now I can see a difference between the sticks in your first picture, and the one on the right on my picture. There is a definite pronounced sharp angle where the circle stops in your picture. Whereas , my (right stick) has a 'lazy' curve and which allows the short end to stick out. Repro, me thinks now. Hm, still does not explain why the handle end is TOOO big to go into block hole. Poorly made copy, IMO now.

I've been thinking on this pia situation. I'm wondering how many guys have a poor fitting stick and / or wrong stick, which would result in guys putting tooo much oil into crankcase to bring level up to match stick marking. If that occurs, there surely will be oil leaking out the rear main and blowing out the filler tube. Worth checking, for sure.
I figured that if I use this poorly made stick in my roadster B, that I'd be adding TWO more quarts to bring level to stick full mark... At that point, the engine would be two qts over full :eek:
 
C26Pinelake said:
Try the swap meets as they are indeed common !
Wayne
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Cost of going to a swap meet around here -vs- a 'little' hammer/dolly and grinder work ...easy decision to make this $7.50 parts house part fit as it was supposed to , eh :)
Huh, now I'm worried whether any points will be deducted if discovered :rolleyes:
 
Bruce Lancaster said:
They will be so busy deducting one point for the crap dipstick they will never notice the massive modifications! Win!
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Hey Bruce,
I'll admit to 'slight' mods, but nothing but pre-war :) !
Note: I took the strange bend out of the stick, to make it more like the other one that works. Also, took a light belt sanding to the BIG upper end...voila ! Looks 100% now , and works as should. Not first go round with repro goods. Just a wonder ...how to screw up making/repro something so simple as a dip stick.
 
I ran into much the same issue with my newly acquired '30 coupe. I changed the oil and wondered why I had put in more quarts than the engine should hold. Fellows on this site helped and pointed out the top of the dipstick issue. Mine was not spread apart, but it was too thick to drop down into the hole all the way. I took my little grinder and ground down the thickness of the handle at the point where it goes into the engine. Now it drops in just fine to the right height. Of course once I fixed it, I had to drain some oil out of the engine to get back to the correct level.
 
The things may just be bent from the wrong type of steel stock. I don't know if this is actually correct, but a friend who was bending up the several oddball B and V8 sticks made in '32-4 said that he had determined that theu were made of "Cotter stock", the stuff cotter pins are bent from. And of course cotter pins do exist in sizes similar to and even much bigger than dipsticks. The alleged cotter stock is slightly flatter than half round, and so if the furriners were making dipsticks from half round they would get that misfit at the hole...
 
fins2nv said:
I ran into much the same issue with my newly acquired '30 coupe. I changed the oil and wondered why I had put in more quarts than the engine should hold. Fellows on this site helped and pointed out the top of the dipstick issue. Mine was not spread apart, but it was too thick to drop down into the hole all the way. I took my little grinder and ground down the thickness of the handle at the point where it goes into the engine. Now it drops in just fine to the right height. Of course once I fixed it, I had to drain some oil out of the engine to get back to the correct level.
Click to expand...

Thanks...whew, thought I was having a bad stick day, eh :D !

I'd bet that you are NOT the only one who overfilled crankcase with oil, due to these bad 'cotter pin' material sticks. Good you caught it :)
 
Hey Bruce,
YOU always come up with the most interesting info regarding Ford stuff and equipment available these days, thanks ! Looking at the 'repaired' stick, I can see that cotter stock idea being so. Thank heaven for belt sanders these days, I say :)
 
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