Lost dipstick tube!

[Walys60]

Hey all, I just realized that my dipstick tube didn't make it back from the machine shop. I plan on calling him tomorrow but it has been 7 months. I'd imagine he would have called me by now if had noticed it.

Anyway, would anyone have any tips, instruction, dimensions, about making one? I'm not seeing anything in the parts catalogs for one

[Jim A]

My stock 60 3/4 ton has a 23" dip stick from tip to stop; 3/8" x 14" tube from block to top.
I wonder if these folks have clutch help
https://www.clutchworldmedford1.com/
A place in Sacramento got me going; addy if you want.

[Walys60]

Originally Posted by Jim A

My stock 60 3/4 ton has a 23" dip stick from tip to stop; 3/8" x 14" tube from block to top.
I wonder if these folks have clutch help
https://www.clutchworldmedford1.com/
A place in Sacramento got me going; addy if you want.

Thanks Jim! That will help a lot if I have to 'come up' with 'something'. I didn't get a chance to call the machine shop yesterday, I'll start there. If I can't figure out anything local I'll hit you for the Sacramento folks.

[Walys60]

So, I went to Desert Valley salvage over the weekend. they have 4 305s. We worked pretty hard on a couple of them to try to pry the dipstick out. He eventually wandered off talking about an engine he had in another part of the lot and came back with one! Unfortunately, he got a little rough with it and broke off whatever was on the other end of the tube...in the block. What in the WORLD!? Is it not just pressed in?

They charge $75 for the dipstick, but since it was broken he just gave it to me. I'm going to try to use it anyway, but if it doesn't work for some reason, there's still 3 of them out there and he's more than willing to drop the pan and do whatever. Can anyone tell me what is on the other end of the tube?

I sure hope it works as is, because I REALLY don't want to drop the pan. I have her running perfect and was wanting the transmission to be the next thing.

[Jim A]

I am confused between tube and stick.
$75 would be a good price for a brand new pair. Installed.

[James]

If you are only missing the tube, you can make your own. I use brake line for my tube, be sure to debur the ends after cutting it. I assume the engine is on the engine stand, I would add the engine oil to the engine (for your full level). Cut a tube longer than 18" (some of it needs to go into the block) and install it into the block. Place the dipstick into the tube and bottom it out on the tube. Pull it out and see where the oil level is. Then cut the tube until the oil level is on the full mark on the dipstick. Remove the tube and debur the tube ends. Reinstall the tube and recheck level.

[Walys60]

Originally Posted by Jim A

I am confused between tube and stick.
$75 would be a good price for a brand new pair. Installed.

Son of a! Sorry, lol, I know I've been saying both, but it's the tube I'm missing, I have the stick still.

It's an insane price for a dipstick tube, NOT installed but just handed to me, lol. These salvage yards figure they've struck gold nowa days I guess.

[James]

Originally Posted by Walys60

It's an insane price for a dipstick tube, NOT installed but just handed to me, lol. These salvage yards figure they've struck gold nowa days I guess.

Not just the junk yard, eBay too.

[Walys60]

Originally Posted by James

If you are only missing the tube, you can make your own. I use brake line for my tube, be sure to debur the ends after cutting it. I assume the engine is on the engine stand, I would add the engine oil to the engine (for your full level). Cut a tube longer than 18" (some of it needs to go into the block) and install it into the block. Place the dipstick into the tube and bottom it out on the tube. Pull it out and see where the oil level is. Then cut the tube until the oil level is on the full mark on the dipstick. Remove the tube and debur the tube ends. Reinstall the tube and recheck level.

I'm guessing the tube he gave me should work then, if they're generally just pressed in. I am adding a couple pictures of it. I can easily straighten and debur the broken end.

[Walys60]

Looking at it in the junk yard, I put it next to one that was still in the block and it 'looked' a tad shorter, but there was 'stuff' in the way so it was right up against it. But that was from the flare at the bottom to the top I'm fairly sure. Looking at it now, notice how the crusted grease is below the flare...that should have been the part IN the block...how does it have crusted grease on it!?

I don't know. I'm about 67 percent sure this will work to clean up/paint and jam in the block. Talk me out of it?