Couple questions on gas tank and oil pan/dipstick

[hanly2]

Ok I just got my truck home and was finally able to look at some stuff, for some reason on the way home about 1.5hrs the fuel gauge did not move, but it worked before. Then when I got home I took the gas cap off and it sucked in a ton of air, and now the guage is reading again. Also, the dip stick broke off on me because someone had bent it all up. It is a mr gasket dip stick but whoever hooked it all up cut it so that it only reads at the full mark which I do not like, so I would like to buy a new one but not sure of the length it should be. I took a picture of the oil pan. I also tried the stick from my 77 c2500, and I think it was too long.

[cdowns]

taking your gas cap off and it sucking a ton of air is an indication that your tank is not vented properly and will cause you problems in the future

[hanly2]

ok that sounds good, so what do I need to check? This truck is new to me. I also think that the oil pan is a 7qt oil pan from ebay. So I am going to need a lot of oil. But what dipstick should I use?

[michael bustamante]

How come you think its a 7 quart pan? Does it have a deep sump? Nevermind. I just saw the pic. Summit can help you out with a dipstick.
What year is the truck and what size motor?

[hanly2]

its a 350. not original to truck. I picked up a mr. gasket dipstick, I will drain and fill and check and see if that works. Thanks.

[Acorn]

That is the best way to do it. When you change the oil, (be positive that it is a 8 qt pan first) use your '77 dipstick and start with six quarts. Mark the dipstick. Add another quart and mark it again. That will give you your low and full marks. Then if the '77 dipstick is to long, cut it down and put some plasti dip on the end.
Are there any part numbers on the old dipstick?
Also get a vented gas cap.

[cdowns]

me i'd check into buying a stock 5quart oilpan and a stock dipstick for ease of mainenance in the future

[hanly2]

I drained almost 10qts of oil from it. Ouch. Then i filled up the filter and added 7qts to the pan an the mr. Gasket dipstick still reads low. I hope i didnt do to much damage. And that the leak disapears.

[airdale94]

You should be able to use a stock dipstick for the engine. The full level should not change with a deep sump pan. Only the amount oil to bring you to full.

[hanly2]

That makes perfect sense, but for some reason it didnt work. Its about 1" past stock full level.

[airdale94]

I have a Mr. Gasket chrome stick. Had the original stick but it broke as yours did. It's off also. Just empty it, fill and mark your stick. Looks like that pan was orange. May be a ebay special or a TransDapt pan, I think they paint there stuff orange. A stock pan is not actually 5qts. It's 4qts. plus the filter = 5qts.

Actually looks like it may be this Summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3502

You could do like Acorn said and, drain it, put 6qts. in it and mark Low, then put 1 more in it and mark Full. I used an electric tool engraver on mine. Mine reads fuller because my full mark is now my add mark.