First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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Hopefully, you already have the lower tube in the engine. If not, could be a
challenge.
When I did my 67 gto with a 455 and A/C I couldn't find the correct dipstick
either. Mine was set up to be 'full' with 6 qts. Fortunately, I had a
collection of old dipsticks and used one that was over-length. I filled the
pan with 5 qts, ran the engine briefly, scored a line. Added the 6th qt and
scored a 'full ' line and cut off the excess.
I'd shop around for a long dipstick (such as an A/C car that has the top
mount bracket near the compressor) and use a similar technique. Whatever
steel alloy they use for dipsticks to give them flexibility makes them 'not
your everyday steel' regarding welding or brazing. I wouldn't want to take
the chance on fishing for broken pieces in the future.
karl
----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel O'Brien" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "First Generation Firebird-L" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 1:19 PM
Subject: [FGF] 400 RA III dipstick missing - ideas?
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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When I bought my 69, the 400 motor dipstick tube was installed, but the
dipstick itself was missing. It didn't trouble me -- during a 45 minute
test drive, the car exhaust was completely clean and the motor was
strong. Also, I have original paper describing a recent rebuild. (My
faith has been rewarded with 6000 trouble-free miles.)
I bought a replacement, but the dipstick did not reach into the pan. I
thought I bought the wrong replacement, so I went to a different dealer
and bought another one -- it was the same as the first.
I started calling around trying to figure out what was going on. I
reached a parts dealer in New Hampshire who told me that I'd have to pull
the engine to install the dipstick tube from underneath. In my neck of
the woods, this would cost $800.00. I don't have the ability to handle
this myself.
A welder told me he could make me a longer stick that would reach into
the pan -- but the welded stick snapped after two days. Fortunately we
were able to get all the pieces out of the pan and the car has run about
1500 miles since then without a problem. But I still have no dipstick.
Anyone out there been through this before? Any ideas?
Thanks,
DOB
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