My dipstick won't go in my new block...

[AllenKarber]

I just had a new engine built and it's a passenger side dipstick. My old one was too big, and it was from a driver's side dipstick.

I purchased a Mr. Gasket dipstick from the parts store for a 78-81,and it won't fit either. I can get a bolt all the way in the hole that appears to be the same size,but I can't get the dipstick to go in there. It either hits the headers or the fenderwells or both.

What's the deal? I've never had anything make me feel so stupid in my life.

The engine block was a crate GM,and it has an aftermarket oil pan on it.

What do I need to do??

My truck is a '64,but I thought more folks would see it here. If I had know the passenger side stick would've caused so many problems,there's no way I would've bought the block even though I needed something in a hurry.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Allen, I am dealing with the same thing too. The newer 350's witht he passenger side stick have a smaller diameter tube, the majority of the dress up sticks and tubes are for the older 350 with the driver's side stick. They are out there though, summitt has a couple listed in there cat. Go down town there in Arkadelphia and see the guys at the Napa, I bet they can look up an aftermarket one and fix you up. They are good guys. I spent 5 years there going to HSU, they helped me out a time or two. You can get it at the chevy dealer too, but they are really fond of it, IIRC, they are about $80 for the stick and tube.

[clean71]

Had the same problem. The ones from summit didn't seem to be clearly marked as I ordered a couple and they were still wrong. Mine's a zz4 block and it take a specific dipstick and tube. Had to get it from the stealership.

[AllenKarber]

Originally Posted by Bus Ted Knuckle

Allen, I am dealing with the same thing too. The newer 350's witht he passenger side stick have a smaller diameter tube, the majority of the dress up sticks and tubes are for the older 350 with the driver's side stick. They are out there though, summitt has a couple listed in there cat. Go down town there in Arkadelphia and see the guys at the Napa, I bet they can look up an aftermarket one and fix you up. They are good guys. I spent 5 years there going to HSU, they helped me out a time or two. You can get it at the chevy dealer too, but they are really fond of it, IIRC, they are about $80 for the stick and tube.

Tommy at NAPA is my mom's first cousin. It's a small world isn't it? The NAPA definitely has some of the best BSin' in town!

I went down there this morning,and they couldn't get one. I guess it's off to the stealership Monday as none of the dealers around here are open on Saturday. At least the parts departments aren't!

Thanks for the help everyone. I guess I'll go to the dealership Monday and get bent over. GM Parts Direct is cheaper,but I don't know if they can get me one by next weekend.

I guess I'll plug off the hole because I've got to get my engine started and give the truck a test drive before next weekend. I'm going to the Hot Rod Power Tour next weekend IF I get the thing going.

[clean71]

Yeah, bent over is right. $54 for a plain black tube and dipstick with the cheapie little plastic loop on the top. Makes no sense when you can buy an billet tube for 30 and a chrome one for 10 everywhere else. Oh, and if you want the bolt, you gotta buy a 10 pack for like $6.

Did you say you new what size that bolt is? Thanks.

[Palf70Step]

Get the proper piece from the dealer. You'll be a lot happier with the fit.

[Slammed70]

Passenger side dispstick was generally used on the 87 and new blocks, it would help to ask for the right year.

And to get them to work well, it may sound crazy.....but put the dipstick tube in the freezer over night and it will shrink enough to almost drop into the engine.

[AllenKarber]

I don't know what size the bolt is for the dipstick . I have no idea how old the block is. My engine builder had the block.

It's a crate block,sevice block or Goodwrench block etc.. I don't know what the proper term is.

Looks like we're split on here between the dealership and an aftermarket one.

[AllenKarber]

`I ordered this setup from the dealer:

http://gilbertautoparts.com/ChevySma...Z4dipstick.cfm

Hopefully it will work. It was 34 bucks plus tax,so it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

[Chevy4Life]

Arkadelphia wow! I grew up there. Well we lived in Gurdon, but everything was in Arkadelphia. I use the word everything very loosely.

[AllenKarber]

Originally Posted by Chevy4Life

Arkadelphia wow! I grew up there. Well we lived in Gurdon, but everything was in Arkadelphia. I use the word everything very loosely.

Boy, it really is a small world! 3 people on here who know where Arkadelphia is! Yeah, we have "everything" here LOL!

You definitely did well moving from Gurdon to Vegas!