Dipstick length

C

cavecreekjake

Member
I have an 8BA block in my hot rod, and not sure, but think a Merc pan. (are they different?) When I change the oil, adding 4 qts. plus one for the filter (full flow system), shows a quart low on the dipstick. Don't want to over fill it, and wonder if I have the correct dipstick.
Thanks
 
The 1951 Mercury Manual Vol. 1 shows the following on page34 under the heading CAPACITIES.:
Engine Oil
Dry (including filter)... 6 qts.
Refil........................ 5 qts.
This leads me to believe that the 49-51 Merc oil pan is larger than the 8BA Ford pan which hold 4 qts. plus 1 more for the filter. ( I think)
 

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My 51' Merc. oil capacity is 5 qts. with the stock filter.
For reference the full line on my dip stick is 14 5/8" from the felt seal washer.
There are 3 different over-all length dip sticks and two different tubes (depending on year)
 

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My dipstick, errrr...the CAR'S dipstick measures 13 5/8", top washer to Full mark, and the pan tube measures 7 1/2" to the pan end flange.
This combination would be..... ??
 
I ran in to a similar issue, 52 Merc motor, I filled the oil to the full mark on stock dipstick.
All was fine, then I bought a chrome one for an 8BA, put in in and the oil reads about 3/8" above the full mark, so I took a dremel, and put another mark on it.
So the Merc pan must hold more than a ford.
 
With the various pans, tubes, and sticks you can come up with several combinations that may not give you a good reading. I think it's best to first i.d. the pan then completely drain the engine and mop out the canister. Add 5 (or 6 if Merc pan) and mark your stick accordingly. The engine we put in my AV8 started life as a Merc but has a center sump Ford pan with a 2CM dipstick. I can't see why you would change the oil without doing the filter and cleaning out the canister, anyway.
 
CT AV8 said:
Add 5 (or 6 if Merc pan) and mark your stick accordingly.
Click to expand...
Oil capacity is 5 qts. with filter on Merc's. Don't know how you are assuming it's 6 qts.
The reason for different length dip sticks and tubes is to compensate for the different shaped oil pans that would change the oil level but still have the same oil capacity.
 
I have 51 mercury with no filter and was leaking oil out pan gasket was wet.
I changed the oil and put 4 quarts and the mark was way off.
I marked the stick with grind mark on bench grinder.
That's my 2 cents.
 
51 MERC-CT said:
Oil capacity is 5 qts. with filter on Merc's. Don't know how you are assuming it's 6 qts.
The reason for different length dip sticks and tubes is to compensate for the different shaped oil pans that would change the oil level but still have the same oil capacity.
Click to expand...

I got that from 19Fordy's post above and stand corrected.
 
For some reason the link isn't working on my computer. Nothing pops up when I put the curser on it. I have a #22/23 pan. Do you know which pan this is and the capacity?
 
Here is an idea. Find a friend with an 8ba and measure the length of the dipstick from top to full line. Then measure the tube and figure out how far the full mark is below the top of the pan or bottom of block. I think this will work in every instance as the full level is a certain distance below the bottom of the crank or block. Of course given that logic it could change a bit with a stroker but a 1/2 inch stroke would only change it a 1/4 inch.
 
OK Thanks, Bink..... I definitely have a Merc pan. Picture 26... I
have the three studs on the back
So oil change will be 5, plus full flow filter.
Thanks all !
 
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