Dipstick Length

fortyonerag

fortyonerag

Well-known member
I can recall reading that there are different flathead dipstick/tube combinations that could result in wrong oil level readings.

I'm currently putting a 59A flathead together. I don't know it's history, but it's been 'rebuilt' in the past

When fully inserted in the tube, the dipstick tip is about 1 inch above the bottom of the pan.

Is this correct?
 
If you are not restoring this vehicle, I'd suggest you fill the oil with the proper amount while the car is on level ground.
Pull the stick, note the level and mark the stick "full" at the noted level.
 
Kube said:
If you are not restoring this vehicle, I'd suggest you fill the oil with the proper amount while the car is on level ground.
Pull the stick, note the level and mark the stick "full" at the noted level.
Click to expand...


Or, if yours is like mine and read a quart over full with exactly 5 quarts in the pan, I worked a grommet over the dipstick up to where it seats, to space it up by the correct amount.
 
As a reference, my 59A has 3 quarts in it (fresh engine not yet started), and dipstick level is about 1/2” from full mark. I read somewhere that you shouldn’t fill it up fir a freshly rebuilt engine. Will likely fill up another quart before I fire it up.
 
I'm not restoring the vehicle, it's a replacement engine for driver.

So, with the open pan on flat ground, 5 quarts of liquid should give me in the neighbourhood of the full mark?
 
One of the many different Ford Chassis parts books has a chart with dip stick lengths and length of the tube. I have looked for the chart in my books and can not find it.
 
I don’t get what if you are restoring the vehicle or not has to do with oil level. If it requires 5 quarts, it requires 5 quarts.
 
Last edited:
dean333 said:
I don’t get what if you are restoring the vehicle or not has to do with oil level. If it requires 5 quarts, it requires 5 quarts.
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I think this has more to do with re-marking the dipstick than the oil capacity.
 
dean333 said:
I don’t get what if you are restoring the vehicle or not has to do with oil level. If it requires 5 quarts, it requires 5 quarts.
Click to expand...

Because if he is restoring the vehicle, he would need to locate the correct stick. If not restoring, any stick that fits will do by simply marking the level after filling with the specified amount of oil.
 
Here is the length chart from the Green Book. On the previous page there's a length for the 4 cylinders at 9-1/8" long.


446842
 
I mark em with a sharp center punch, or a small notch from a file on the edge.
5 qts, let it set still for a bit, mark it.
 
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