Silly oil dip stick question

[Don Jordan]

I have a stock flathead 6 P15. The dip stick just doesn't seem right so I saw one on e-bay (curse you e-bay) - I just got it and it doesn't fit.

Mine: 15" the part that goes into the engine

his: 10 1/2" and his has a bend () by the top that won't allow the entire stick to go into the tube.

I'm so confused

also while I'm on the subject: you know the tube the tip stick goes in? It keeps coming out. I tried some glue but it won't stick. The tube has a slight bend - which way does the bend go?

I appreciate any input.

[claybill]

confusion here too....i have 4 dips of different length, and some have a bend and others have a wrinkle and stopper washer.....anyway i just run it in till it hits bottom and go from there.

bill

[greg g]

The 10 1/2 inch one should be used without the tube!!! Kinda solves both your problems, don't it??????

Another question. I have an early P15 with the short stick and no tube. Yesterday I chrcked the oil and it was at the 1/2 mark on the stick. So I put in a half quart of oil then checked the stick. It came up half way to full. So what does the 1/2 mean? It is not half a quart and it isn't half full as that would be 2 1/2 quarts. So is the glass half full half empty or twice as large as it needs to be???

[BobT-47P15]

Whattd he say??????

[BobT-47P15]

But seriously though.......the way I figured out what is "full" on my dipstick was to score it with a mark. Made that mark based on where the oil came after doing an oil change. Figured that should be pretty close to right.

Don, you might try flaring the end of that dipstick tube just a tiny bit....

I think it just fits snugly and should be gently tapped into place.

A bend??? It may be bent. I tink it supposda be strait......

This engine in my P15 is a 1957 model. Just went out to look......it has a straight tube some 6 to 8 inches long. The previous owner had

made a stopper/cap on the dipstick by using a spark plug wire boot that would have gone onto the distributor.....is held in place by a

small hose clamp. Don't know for sure if I have the exactly right dipstick.....but it works fine.

[oldmopar]

Gregg

From a owners manual dated 12-47 it shows a full and add oil mark and states when oil reaches add oil mark add 1 quart. So it sounds like the mark you are looking at is what the manual calls the add oil mark

[Don Jordan]

It seems so simple some times - so obvious. I got the new dip stick and go figure - without the tube in the block the new dip stick fit. It makes for a longer reach and you've got to squeeze your hand past the distributor but it will work for now. Thank you all for the invaluable info.

[Lou Earle]

Solve all those problems - Get a new chrome dip stick from the auto store that fits a 351 Ford Windsor- make sure it is one that has the movable tab that takes a mounting bolt. Drill out the bolt hole a bit and mount it -long tube and all- on your motor by putting the tube into your original dipstick hole in the block and the tab over the stud holding the right side of the the distributor and left side of oil filter

Then take the stick and mark the back to full, quart low etc. I marked mine with a file cutting a line in it and then ruoghing up the loer par a bit with a grinder so oil can adhere a bit to the stick.

works great and easy to get to

Lou