Guys a have a question. This is my first Crate motor so maybe I just don't know. But when I put this thing in I saw there on the drivers side at the top of the block the hole, with a neat little plastic plug in it, for the dipstick. Then last night as I was putting on the headers I found another on the p***. side. This one down at the bottom about level with the pan. It too has a neat little plastic plug, but was painted so I hadn't noticed it. What do I do run 2 dipsticks? And while we're on the subject. How the blank do you put these tubes in! Do I have to grind the chrome off or somthing! I already ruined this first one. Oh I forgot it's a SBC - 69 - 85 replacement motor, or a ZZ4
You should have gotten a small "cap" with the motor if you bought it new...simply hammer that in place in one of the filler holes...otherwise you'll have to go to GM and get a plug... No, you need not run two dipsticks... R-
[ QUOTE ] I forgot to hammer it in one time.. that ****ed!! shot oil every where!! [/ QUOTE ] Sounds like we both have the same problem...a dipstick on the block and one behind the steering wheel!
[ QUOTE ] How the blank do you put these tubes in! Do I have to grind the chrome off or somthing! I already ruined this first one. [/ QUOTE ] I've never had much success getting a chromed dip stick tube in without filing or grinding it down to fit the block hole...guess those Tiawanese or Chinese don't think of those things...anyone else have the secret to this? R-
[ QUOTE ] How the blank do you put these tubes in! [/ QUOTE ] Stick it in the freezer for a while. Heat the block where the tube goes. Deburr the hole in the block. Keep it straight as you tap it in with something like a wooden hammer handle. There's a tool for this, but I've only seen a couple of them in my life. Your Chevy dealer's garage should have one. It's like a punch that fits around the tube above where it enters the block. You can ruin the tube with the tool too.
check and make sure the holes are even drilled. the shortblock version of the motor comes with plugs on both sides BUT neither hole is drilled thru, you drill the one that will work in your application the pan is loosely installed on the short block version so you can remove it for the drilling operation, what i have seen of these motors you would benefit from removing the pan and cleaning it anyway try pushing just the dipstick down thru the hole with out the tube and see if they are drilled all the way
the crate motor comes with directions. Read'em. I tightened a crescent wrench on the tube above the expanded ring and tapped on the wrench. It went right in
I had to build up the dip stick I used to make it fit right. Once I got it right I used a method I saw one guy use a while ago using a closed end wrench to seat the dip stick. Pick the wrench that fits over the tube but not the widend or bulged out part that meets the block. He slipped the wrench over the tube so the closed end was down on the buldged out part. He then tapped on the wrench handle to seat the dip stick in. I tried it on mine, with a cloth to not ruin the chrome. It worked pretty well. Left or right side I think is a personal preference. It will run faster with duals!
[ QUOTE ] check and make sure the holes are even drilled. the shortblock version of the motor comes with plugs on both sides BUT neither hole is drilled thru [/ QUOTE ] Well THAT could sure as hell help ya ruin a new dipstick tube. LOL But yeah Terry, I have met few chrome dipsticks that went in without some mild m***age to the lip.
Reminds me of when my 1st wife told she added oil to the motor when ever the idiot light came on, because the dipstick was too short to reach the oil.
I did a dumb tech on how to get those cheap disticks in one time http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=538711&Forum=All_Forums&Words=dipstick%20&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1month&Main=538711&Search=true#Post538711
Thanks guys. I got it in! Manyolcars - you got instructions? All I got was a wood palet, a mile of plastic wrap and a packing slip. I filed the begining of the tube then slipped a open end wrench over and hammered it on in. I think I'll put a secound on the other side just to confuse people!
I had Great instructions. It gave parts numbers for flexplate/flywheel, harmonic balancer, which intake to use, what size carburetor. This is a 300 hp crate motor. It came in a big plastic box. I have another engine stored in that box now.
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