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Lokar Flexible Oil Dipstick experiences

MoparGuy68

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I currently have a blocker on my steering gearbox swap. I accidentally cracked open my old oil dipstick tube while removing the gearbox. Just below the ring where the tube seats against the engine block. I then got a stock replacement tube & stick from Classic Industries. The new stick looks like it would work with stock exhaust manifolds, but I have long tube headers. Instead of cutting off the mounting tab that is welded to the tube and then attempting to add custom bends to the tube, I'm investigating using a flexible tube and dipstick. This new stock stick is a tight fit and will probably need to have the outside diameter reduced to get it in the block.

I've seen a few forum users mention they have used the Lokar Flexible Dipstick. Lokar has part number ED-5026 for Big Block Mopar. I have a 383 Magnum with the stock 402, 4 quart oil pan.

In the Summit link below, 3 of the 4 reviewers said they had problems getting the end of the flexible tube inserted into the engine block hole. There are two O-rings on the piece that inserts into the block. I have some questions for any forum members that have used this specific ED-5026 tube/stick. Did you actually find that it would not fit in the block hole without modification? Did you have to reduce the outside diameter of the part, so that it would fit in the hole? What is the best way to accomplish this? Were you happy with this tube/stick or was it a waste of $76.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-ed-5026

I've already kind of wasted $50+ on the tube/stick from Classic Industries. I think I'll keep that one intact without mods, for use with stock manifolds when the time comes that I end up doing a full engine rebuild. Right now, I'm just trying to get the car back on the ground and running with the headers, before the world comes to an end due to COVID-19.
 
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Stay away from that POS Lokar dip stick!!!! Yes, originally wouldn't fit without reaming the hole a bit but I did get it to seat. Then while installing oil pump and external oil line I broke the tube clear off in the block. Luckily it was still on an engine stand so pulled the pan and drove it out from the bottom. Called Lokar and they sent me a replacement. Then after installing in the car I was pulling the #3 plug for inspection and it broke the tube clear off in the block again. So being the only way to get it out is to drop the pan again, I just filled the dip stick hole with RTV to stop it from leaking and I now have no way of knowing how much oil is in the car other then a drain measure and refill. So yea F___ that Lokar dipstick!!!!
 
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Going on seven years and two different engines without any issues. First was a 493" w/ TTI 2" . Second is a 470" w/ Schumacher 's.
 
Stay away from that POS Lokar dip stick!!!! Yes, originally wouldn't fit without reaming the hole a bit but I did get it to seat. Then while installing oil pump and external oil line I broke the tube clear off in the block. Luckily it was still on an engine stand so pulled the pan and drove it out from the bottom. Called Lokar and they sent me a replacement. Then after installing in the car I was pulling the #3 plug for inspection and it broke the tube clear off in the block again.

I don't have an external oil line, so I don't quite understand how you broke the tube off in the block installing that line. How did you manage to break it off when removing the #3 plug? At least it didn't break off while inserting the tube into the hole in the block. That is what I am concerned about. My engine is mostly stock with long tube headers and an M1 aluminum intake.

Going on seven years and two different engines without any issues. First was a 493" w/ TTI 2" . Second is a 470" w/ Schumacher 's.

Did you have to enlarge the hole in the block or reduce the diameter of the tube, to get it seated in the block?

So I've got one negative feedback and one positive. Anyone else care to share their experiences with this Lokar stick?
 
The dipstick attaches to the header bolt by the #3 plug and because its a week paper thin POS..it broke while trying to wrestle the plug out between the power-steering line and the header. And just to clarify the external oil line didn't break the dipstick, it just got bumped while working there and broke it off. Seriously save yourself the headache.[/QUOTE]
 
Have you considered looking through the Men's Mall to find something close that you can bend and/or shorten to make it fit? It would be cheap and if it doesn't work, you wouldn't be out very much.
 
Seriously save yourself the headache.
I would have saved myself a lot of money, and a big headache if I had not bought this car.. Nostalgia got the best of me.

Have you considered looking through the Men's Mall to find something close that you can bend and/or shorten to make it fit? It would be cheap and if it doesn't work, you wouldn't be out very much.
What is the "Men's Mall"? Sounds like a place I'd go to buy clothes and get the coronavirus.

Is there another flexible dipstick, manufactured by another company, that anyone on here has used successfully?

I looked up some tube benders and they cost more than the tube/dipstick sets. Maybe Horror Freight has a bender that would be capable of making some mild bends on the tube I bought from Classic Industries without breaking the bender or my tube in the process.. I suppose I could also use a bender in the future to make new fuel line running to my dual feed carb.
 
"Men's Mall" = bone yard.

Harbor Freight

$8.00
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$10.00
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I don't have an external oil line, so I don't quite understand how you broke the tube off in the block installing that line. How did you manage to break it off when removing the #3 plug? At least it didn't break off while inserting the tube into the hole in the block. That is what I am concerned about. My engine is mostly stock with long tube headers and an M1 aluminum intake.



Did you have to enlarge the hole in the block or reduce the diameter of the tube, to get it seated in the block?

So I've got one negative feedback and one positive. Anyone else care to share their experiences with this Lokar stick?
No issues installing. Cleaned block and tube with lacquer thinner, then used a very small amount of silicone.
 
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