Club Cobra - Don't trust the dipstick!!!

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)

- Tech Tips (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/tech-tips/)

- - Don't trust the dipstick!!! (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/tech-tips/140781-dont-trust-dipstick.html)

Don't trust the dipstick!!!

Just finished changing the leaking oil pan caused by a previous owner doing kamikaze runs over speed bumps. Almost could not get the drain plug out because it was hammered up into the bottom of the pan so far. Figured that I would check the level mark on the dipstick as long as the pan was off. Measured down 4 1/2" from the bottom of the block (one inch below the bottom of the crank lowest point) and drilled a small hole in the stick for a reference mark. Turned it over and the full mark was almost 2 inches lower!!!! Wonder how much premature wear there is to the engine? Just a reminder for new owners of one more thing to check when you get the car. It is totally amazing what some builders will do to these things. Sadly. my car has been a fine example of lots of them, hope your's is not.

And another reminder to grease the wheels on your floor jack if you use one.

Depends on what pan you are using.

The oil level does not stay at "1 inch below the crank" while the engine is running.

Gary

My original dip tube has a kink and is difficult to get the dipstick back in. I recently bought a new one supposedly for 289 thru 351 but tube is 2" shorter and dipstick a few inches longer, marks are nowhere near old dipstick. I don't see how it would be remotely close so didnt install it.

I've had problems with dipstick markings in the pass.

Here is what I do now.

If you know how many quarts the pan holds just add that amount of oil and check the dipstick. Remark the dipstick if necessary. Then crank the motor, let it run for a couple of minutes, shut it down, give it ten minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan, check the dipstick and add oil to bring it to the full mark. What you add will be the amount the filter, remote oil lines, cooler etc hold.

If you don't know how much oil the pan holds, remove the pan. Add water that you have measured (I like to use old oil bottles) till the water reaches the level I marked in the drawing.
Clean out the water and install the pan. Then add the measured amount and mark the dipstick.
I used this method on a 440 Mopar oil pan because when I googled it I had two different amounts listed. Later I found that some vendors advertise the amount the pan held with the oil filter included. Which was a half quart difference.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d.../DSCN22122.jpg

You can fill the pan with a measured amount of water when it is removed from the engine. Measure from the top of the pan to the water level (measure A). Then take that measurement (measure A) and with your dipstick installed and with your oil pan still removed, measure that distance (measure A) down from the bottom of your block. Mark that on your dipstick. Also if you run with a windage tray you can add more oil (xtra qt )without a problem.

John