oil dipstick

[7tre-cutty]

My oil dipstick tube is kinda smashed, the dipstick won't pull out. I can't check my oil level...

Questions: Is it hard to replace the whole tube and dipstick? Do you have to remove or loosen the exhaust manifold or oil pan to remove and install the tube/dipstick?

[ragz442]

You may get lucky if you spray some penatrating oil around the base of the tube where it meets the block and get the tube to come out by working back and forth. Usually it breaks flush with the block, I'm in that boat right now.

[texxas8902]

Usually,:rolleyes: they always break flush with the block. I needed a dip stick tube and must have broken 5 at the wrecking yard before I finally dropped an oil pan and carefully drove one out from the bottom. The only new one I could find is the chrome one they sell in Summit.

[ragz442]

Believe it or not, the tube came out of the 350 I have on the stand now [out of the '76]. The 350 in my 77-442 I went through in '05 needs a tube. I was checking the oil last summer and the tube felt loose, I moved it around a little and it broke flush with the block :( . I put some rtv on the shoulder of a sheet metal screw and plugged the hole :o. I'm gonna try and get it out without pulling the pan......wish me luck :D .

[76oldswarrior]

You can still get them from GM parts direct or a GM dealer. Tube is #419242.
Dipstick for 455 # 417091 and 350 is #417090. the tube works for both but the dipstick is different for 455 and 350. So i would say try to yank it out and get a brand new one.

[76oldswarrior]

try to yank carefully hopefully it wont break off on you

[Andy 73]

Dip stick, you don't really need one, the engine will make enough noise to let you know it needs oil.Andy

[7tre-cutty]

Dip stick, you don't really need one, the engine will make enough noise to let you know it needs oil.Andy

Man, I heard that! The engine was making a little noise. I did put a quart in it last week, the redlight doesn't come on anymore on hard stops. The engine's not making as much noise, if at all.

How often should oil be added?

[76oldswarrior]

I would really try to get the dipstick out and get a new one in there. You dont want to keep guessing if you have enough oil in there. Newer motors shouldnt really need any oil. If you have an older worn motor your gonna burn more oil and need to add it .It also depends on how much you drive it too.

[7tre-cutty]

I would really try to get the dipstick out and get a new one in there. You dont want to keep guessing if you have enough oil in there. Newer motors shouldnt really need any oil. If you have an older worn motor your gonna burn more oil and need to add it .It also depends on how much you drive it too.

Thanks for that. I'll look for a new tube/dipstick.
Right now, I don't drive it very much at all, maybe 20 miles in a week, if that. It's still being worked on (slowly).
I want it to be a daily driver, at least a weekend driver.

[CSedar]

If you want some advice with the dipstick tube, this helped me out last summer. Get a sheet metal screw the size of the dipstick tube, and screw it in most of the way. Then what you do is crawl under the car with a flat chisel and hammer, and beat it out carefully. Took me about a half hour to do but it was easier than pulling the motor to get it out.

Cole