oil level

Al Bass

Al Bass

Senior Member
I'm about ready to start my new engine (tomorrow I hope). I added 5 qts of oil through the distributor hole in the head to make sure the valve chamber and dipper tray are full, but the dip stick level is about 3/8 inch below the full mark. should I bring it up to full or run it first and read it after I run it?
 
Is the car parked on a level surface ?? Check tomorrow your oil level again. It takes a while sometimes for the oil to reach the bottom of the pan. It is also temperature related ( viscosity )
 
It's also worth noting, there's a variation on where the "F" is on dipsticks. I remember seeing a picture a few years back somewhere that had 10-15 dipsticks lined up and the location of the "F" was all over the place.
 
5 quarts is fine. In fact 5 is usually a bit too much, but run it as is and you will be fine. Next oil change may take only 4 quarts to be in the operating range.
 
Both the coolant, and oil will have a level that the car likes, if you insist on having a higher level the car will insist on spitting the excess out.

On my car the oil level is about 1/16 below the "F", and the radiator level is just below the baffle ---any more and the car wants to drool and spit, once it achieves those levels it is prefectly housebroken and rarely wants to mark it's territory.
 
I have a new engine also. I put 5 qts. in and let it set for a few days. I check the location on the dip stick. I pulled the dip stick out and scribed a line on the dip stick to oil mark on the dip stick. Mine was 1/8" above the "F" mark on the dip stick.
Ron
 
I ran the engine today and after sitting for 1/2 an hour the oil level was up to the bottom of the "F" so I guess my dipstick is reading correctly. Thanks for the input, it made feel safe enough to go ahead and start the engine with it reading low on the dipstick on
 
Are the two lines above and below the "F" the safe operating range? I found that 5qts. will bring the oil up a little above the top line.
Pete
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top