I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this question. I need to know the correct (running) level of the trans fluid in relation to the pan gasket. I'm guessing around 1/2" or so. The reason is the dipstick tube has been shortened. my plan is to stick some plastic tubing down the tube until it hits the bottom of the pan. I will mark the plastic tubing at the top of the dipstick tube. Then measure on the outside from bottom of the pan to the correct level. Thanks.
If you shortened the dipstick tube and have the piece that was cut off, you can measure it and cut and mark the stick accordingly. If someone has a C 4 with a stock dipstick and tube that they have the pan off they might be able to measure the distance from the gasket surface to the end of the dipstick as it hangs down for you. Or if they have a stock dipstick and tube laying out they might be able to measure the distance from where the tube bottoms out going into the case to the end of the dipstick. I've been at this for 60 years and have never had any real luck guessing how many quarts of fluid a trans will take either during a filter and fluid change or after a rebuild. It's always put in three or four and run it and check.
i have a new dip stick and tube... do you need to know how far the fluid level line is below the tube's end ? if so, will measure.
I’d probably find the recommendations for fluid fill (take note of how it is determined) pour in the proper amount the through the tube run something done there and see where the fluid marks it’s spot and mark a dip stick accordingly. Kinda like what you do with a “fits all”’ replacement. Ie you know a engine takes 5 quarts of oil, but you modified a dip tube. So you put 5 quarts in, run it a bit. Let it sit and check the oil level against your dipstick. Transmissions are different as there is hot running check. But principle is the same if you know the recommended capacity of the transmission
Running hot in park, fluid level should be at the pan rail or slightly higher. Pan capacity is irrelevant to dipstick length. Full is full. You should have a deeper filter or filter extension when using a deeper than stock pan, to draw fluid close to the bottom of the pan like the stock one was. Bill
No need to measure, thanks, as i don't know the length of the tube. It's in a '46 Ford with Flathead.
Pretty good rule of thumb for most tubes that push into the case is just below the o ring for the tube. Mark the stick accordingly.
I've measured a new stick, the "FULL" mark is about 3/8" protruding from the tube, 7/8 below the "O" ring or one & three eight below where the tube enters the case. The trans is in a '46 ford. I can't see where the tube enters the case because of the chassis rail. The trans has oil in it already. Best answers have been posts #4 & #9 "At pan rail" & "At pan rail or slightly above" Thanks C69A and justpassinthru. I've sent you both a like I have pushed a piece of plastic hose down the tube until it hit the bottom of the pan and marked it at the top, I just have to get under the car now and measure from bottom of pan to "pan rail or slightly above"
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