Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

I have a 1985 GMC 1500
Far as I know is has a 5.7L 350 4 bolt main engine.
Recently swapped the 7004r for a turbo 350

Anyhow I bought this truck as a clunker. Paid $400 for it (running). As most of you know people have a tendency to swap the engines in and out of these trucks pretty regularly...

My question is, Ive been looking for an oil pan (gaskets leaking and need to do rear main, might as well replace the crummy steel pan with a nice new aluminum one) through Jegs, summit, and ebay. The problem I'm finding is that based on my year many model, and engine, its showing the oil dipstick on the "passenger" side, however mine is on the drivers side. Is this right? Do you think my engine was swapped previously? If so what years made the driver side dipstick?

Any information or knowledge would be appreciated. You guys haven't steered me wrong yet :metal:

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

my 1976 has dipstick on pass side so look for that year, this also means a 2 piece rear main seal IIRC

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

From what I have read on the internet the drivers side dipstick is a 1979 or older casting. 1980 is when the dipstick changed to the passenger side.

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

See thats what Ive been seeing. Based on the oil pans, it appears the 85 and up are passenger side... however Ive also seen 80-85 passenger side... then 79 and earlier drivers side...

Guess I'm just confused is all. Hate to order something thats not going to fit... then return it wait more time to get the correct one.

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

The year of the engine is the deciding factor for the dipstick. Many of the replacement engines that GM sold had an option for both sides for the dipstick. You just put the supplied plug in the hole that you did not use.

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

Where might I be able to find the "engine code" to verify the engines year. Thats kinda the dilemma now, is that Im pretty sure the motor was swapped... But i Know nothing about the engine thats here.

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

Sometime in its past original engine was swapped to a replacement mill with pre 1980 block. Starting 1980 dipstick tube was moved to passenger side. To confirm this look at block casting number and block cast date on the bell hosing flange area. With the engine in the truck it maybe very difficult (accessibility and covered in oily crud). Another area to look at is passenger side block deck surface - RPO designation, if still there, can shed a light.
//RF

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

Usually truck blocks had them on the passenger side and car blocks had them on the driver side.

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

huh?

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

Dipsticks dipstick

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

Is your concern is that the left side dipstick will interfere with the exhaust manifold?

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

Frank is right. Your engine is more than likely a Gm crate engine swap. They had provisions for the dipstick to be on either side.
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Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

lmfao

Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

I agree that gm crates offered dipstick provisions on both sides. Remember to " think with your dipstick jimmy"
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Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side...
 

For anyone that gives a plop, dorman makes a repro pan with the stick going directly into the pan. This way you can pretty much run any SBC in any chassis with any exhaust manifolds:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-2022-264-118.aspx

The 78-(and 79?) malibus/elcaminos and i think monte carlos had this pan for emmission reasons i think?

You can clearly see in the picture that the stick goes directly into the pan.