I've run into a totally unexpected problem on my 54 chev with a V8...seems that the exhaust manifolds I am using are for passenger side dipstick and my engine is drivers side dipstick...the hole for the tube is right about where the exhaust outlet is and it is close. I dont really want to get different manifolds, cause I have alot of time and work in these. So, has anyone run into a problem like this...I tried to bend up an old tube to go around the outlet but, to much of a bend and the stick wont go in...I then tried to flatten another and put it between the head and mainfold, this way would probly work but I would need to grind a grove in the manifold for clearance....any suggestions? This isnt supposed to happen on a SBC! they are the simplest engines ever right? ? .....BTW a flexable Lokar will not work either.
What I had to do on my chevy II was put the tube in rotated 180 degrees, so it curved down, instead of up. Hope that helps!
Someone makes one that is a rod with a handle on it. It has an o-ring seal that keeps in locked into the block. Your other option would be to modify the pan for a early Nova style dip stick or use the entire Nova set up... but that would be a pain). Sam!
Did Chevy have a van timing cover with the stick there like a lot of others? If so, ust plug the one under the exhaust.
I ran into this on an 83 Chevy pickup once. I wound up using soft copper tubing from home depot for the tube. The copper will bend way more than the steel tube will. I sealed the copper tube into the block with silicone. Then, I ground the dipstick till it was like half as wide as stock. That made it more flexible so it could really tweak in the wicked shaped tube. Yes, the dipstick wound up taking a permanant s shape, but it worked and I didn't have to change my exhaust. Besides a new engine doesn't need the oil checked too often after it's broken in. my $.04 worth (inflation nowdays)
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