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Dipstick/Tube w/Headers? 440

PurpleBeeper

PurpleBeeper

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Well, since I'm working on my steering box I decided to replace my dipstick/tube. I didn't know what to buy for sure, so I bought the #2078 below. This is a 440 with headers in a '70 Road Runner.

Here's what my engine bay looks like with the headers and the old/bent/leaking aftermarket dipstick removed. This is driver's side cylinder #1 primary tube in the picture. I plan to secure this one to the motor mount bolt if possible. Will the #2078 fit or should I get a different one?

upload_2017-6-22_12-51-45.png


upload_2017-6-22_12-48-19.png
 
The tube will fit buuuuut you will have to trim down the portion that goes into the block. Stick in a vise and sand down gradually. I use a 1/2 wide piece of 220 sandpaper about a foot long.....

Take your time and fit and refit and sand in between. This will be a PITA in the vehicle...It is a PITA with the motor out....In this day and age a new one should slip in without brute force....I get mine to where less than a 1/4" is left and take a box end wrench and bang it down with a hammer....
 
moparnation74 said:
The tube will fit buuuuut you will have to trim down the portion that goes into the block. Stick in a vise and sand down gradually. I use a 1/2 wide piece of 220 sandpaper about a foot long.....

Take your time and fit and refit and sand in between. This will be a PITA in the vehicle...It is a PITA with the motor out....In this day and age a new one should slip in without brute force....I get mine to where less than a 1/4" is left and take a box end wrench and bang it down with a hammer....
Click to expand...

Hey Moparnation.... "why" do you have to sand it down? It will still have the shoulder on it near the block, so that won't make it stick into the hole any further. I'm interested & confused.
 
You will not be able to install it if you do not trim it down....If you first stick it in you are lucky if it goes in a 1/4 of an inch....

I have installed 4 of them and all four were the same. I asked a high end restorer who supplies just the tube(because the font on the dip stick is incorrect) whom I buy the tubes from said you have to trim it down...When I got the first one, he was 100% correct....

Buy one and you will find out quickly....other than that the tubes are correct with the finish, bracket and lip....

The diameter is the problem...
 
Oil indicator and tube assembly!?!?!? Well ok then....Ive been calling it something else all this time...lol! I guess youre never to old to learn!
My guess the shaft shank is too long for the tube to seat against the shoulder on the block. Will also affect your mounting tab height if you cant get the shoulder flush against the block..
 
Like "nation" said, tube only needs to be a pretty snug fit the last 1/4" or so before bottoming out; if its tight all the way you won't have any shoulder left after hammering for awhile.
 
Oh, Oh.... I think I understand now. You don't CUT it shorter below the shoulder, you sand it smaller diameter, all but the last 1/4" below the shoulder so it slips in & the last 1/4" below the shoulder is still tight. Duh...now I get it.
 
PurpleBeeper said:
Oh, Oh.... I think I understand now. You don't CUT it shorter below the shoulder, you sand it smaller diameter, all but the last 1/4" below the shoulder so it slips in & the last 1/4" below the shoulder is still tight. Duh...now I get it.
Click to expand...
Correct.....just don't go crazy sanding it down....I just did one last week and I fitted, sanded and fitted probably 15x's...
 
Yeah I had the same problem. Probably all made to metric dimensions these days. I just rubbed it down with some emery cloth from my plumbing kit... probably 150 grit or so? Snug as a bug.
 
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