Hey Folks, New to the H.A.M.B., and as I wind my way through the forum, it was suggested that if I had any questions regarding my car, I should ask here. Mine is a '55 8 p***enger Country Sedan. I bought it from a member here about 1 month ago. I just did an oil change and replaced the filter (cartridge) as well. I added 6 quarts of oil, but it is not showing anything on my dipstick. The stick looks to have been repaired at one time which makes me think that it may be a little short . I just bought another at Mac's for the 272 and although it is a bit longer it still doesn't show anything but maybe just a drop at the tip of the stick. My existing is about 20 inches long and the new about 21. How long should it be ? Could someone measure theirs and let me know ? Thanks, Bruce
Welcome again from So Cal. Your dipstick should be just long enough to get the job done (I had to say it before anyone else did). Someone will be along shortly to help you.
Nice one, Stig. TF, after finding a dipstick long enough, sounds like more than 21 inches, you'll need to calibrate it to your engine and pan. To do that, drain the oil from pan, remove oil filter. Either drain filter fully or install new filter. If your engine should take 4 qts plus one for the filter for example, install 4 qts, idle engine until warm, stop engine, let oil drain into pan fully, and mark or notch dipstick at that level with a file. That will serve as your one qt low mark. Then add one more quart to make five, let drain into pan fully, and then mark that level. That will serve as your "full", or 5 qts mark. Check a shop manual for your year car/engine for the proper fill requirements.
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