Dipstick

[bkahler]

Well I think I've run into a snag on my restoration.

When I first got my truck (51 B3B 1/2 ton) it had a dodge or plymouth car engine in it. I searched for and found a correct engine block, 218 series T306, and had that engine rebuilt. Well the engine is now assembled and in the truck and I just noticed this 1/2" or so hole on the left lower center part of the block that goes into the oil pan. However, the oil pan itself has a dipstick tube coming out of it.

I have a hunch that the truck oil pans were different than the car oil pans. Can someone confirm my suspisions?

If I do actually have the wrong oil pan, anyone out there have the correct oil pan and dipstick tube available for a truck 218?

I can't find any references in the service manual or factory parts manuals that show or describe the dipstick arrangements.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Brad

[Reg Evans]

Brad, here's what the truck oil pan looks like so it sounds like you have the right one. What is the engine number of your rebuilt block?

[bkahler]

Brad, here's what the truck oil pan looks like so it sounds like you have the right one. What is the engine number of your rebuilt block?

Reg, thats what my oil pan looks like. Below are a couple of pictures that show the hole I'm talking about. Right now I'm drawing blanks as to what it could be for.

The hole is on the flat boss down and to the right of the distributor opening. Its just to the left of the brass elbow. It goes straight into the sump.

Any clues

Thanks,

Brad

[Merle Coggins]

My block has that same boss but it is plugged. I believe there is a small cup plug pressed in there.

Merle

[Reg Evans]

I have a P23 engine and a M37 engine and they both have the dip stick in that hole. That's why I asked about your engine number. The P23 engine is an early 50's Plymouth 218 and the M37 is a early 50's 230 power wagon engine. Like merle said. You can probably just plug that hole. Make sure you have the right dip stick though.

[bkahler]

I have a P23 engine and a M37 engine and they both have the dip stick in that hole. That's why I asked about your engine number. The P23 engine is an early 50's Plymouth 218 and the M37 is a early 50's 230 power wagon engine. Like merle said. You can probably just plug that hole. Make sure you have the right dip stick though.

Merle & Reg,

Thanks for the info. I'll measure the hole and see about finding a plug at NAPA.

I just about had heart failure this morning when I saw that and figured I had the wrong oil pan. Its only been 8 years now since the engine was rebuilt and I ran out of time to start putting it back together. Finally I'm managing to find a few minutes each day to start putting the truck back together. I'm started to get excited all over again about getting the truck done

All that light surface rust you see on the truck is due to sitting in an unheated uninsulated shop in the Dallas area. I'm from Nebraska and I thought it was humid there in the summers. Heck, in Dallas and Arkansas (where I live now) the humidity seems to always stay up around 95%.

Thanks again,

Brad

[bkahler]

My block has that same boss but it is plugged. I believe there is a small cup plug pressed in there.

Merle

Merle, is the plug in your block cup shaped or dome shaped?

Thanks!

Brad

[Merle Coggins]

Merle, is the plug in your block cup shaped or dome shaped?

Thanks!

Brad

As I recall it was cupped. If I remember tomorrow, I'll try to get a picture of it.

Merle

[Merle Coggins]

Here you go Brad.

Here's about as good of a close up as I could get.

It appears to be one of these. (not neccessarily the correct size)

You should be able to get one at Napa once you measure up the hole.

Merle

[bkahler]

Here you go Brad.

It appears to be one of these. (not neccessarily the correct size)

You should be able to get one at Napa once you measure up the hole.

Merle

Merle, I measured the hole diameter and its .431" which puts it between 27/64" and 7/16". Should be interesting trying to find one that size. I might check with Vintage Power Wagons monday if I have no luck at NAPA.

Thanks!

Brad

[Guest Dave Claussen]

Brad, Just a hunch, but if the opening measures .431 then a 7/16 plug (.4375) would have about .0065 press on it. If it is intended to be a press fit, which it looks like it is, then that amount of press would be about right to insure a good seal. A press fit would insure that any irregularities in the hole would be filled to make a good seal. My 2 1/2 cents worth.