1972 2wd oil dip stick tube

[GN120]

A friend of mine is looking for a factory tube for his '72 2wd truck with a 350, auto. He bought one from the local dealer but it was too short, said to be for a car. Any idea where to get the correct, truck length tube new?

[cdowns]

GM dealership parts counter

[Lee H]

Dip sticks and tubes are a matched length. In order to get the oil level right the tube and stick need to be a set. Either the short or long tube with the correct stick will do the job. The correct tube length for a 72 is a curved tube, 9 inches long from the block boss to the top with about 3/4 of an inch that goes into the block with an interference fit. The correct length dip stick for the 9" tube is 21 3/4. There are many sources for quality parts, Chevy dealer, although I'm finding these guys are to lazy to look for correct older parts and get annoyed when asked. Classic industries also sells real GM sticks and tubes. Stay away from the cheap chrome off shore products. GM Licensed products seem to be good quality.

[GN120]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Dip sticks and tubes are a matched length. In order to get the oil level right the tube and stick need to be a set. Either the short or long tube with the correct stick will do the job. The correct tube length for a 72 is a curved tube, 9 inches long from the block boss to the top with about 3/4 of an inch that goes into the block with an interference fit. The correct length dip stick for the 9" tube is 21 3/4. There are many sources for quality parts, Chevy dealer, although I'm finding these guys are to lazy to look for correct older parts and get annoyed when asked. Classic industries also sells real GM sticks and tubes. Stay away from the cheap chrome off shore products. GM Licensed products seem to be good quality.

Thanks for this info. He has the stock stick but wants the correct tube that got bent. The first one he ordered from the dealer was ordered for a truck but it was too short. He said it was the same length as a car and not longer like the one that was in it and therefore wouldn't clear the heat riser.

I just left one local dealer and they showed me one, part#3876870 but it was short, roughly 8" or 9" long. I called another dealer and they showed another one, part#12337946 which he said might be close to 18" total length, but that was from memory. I told my buddy to go look at it after work and see if it is the correct tube.

Do these numbers ring a bell with you guys or are we barking up the wrong tree?

[Lee H]

3876870 is the tube I'm using. It was used on millions of cars and trucks. I don't have a heat riser so.........

[GN120]

After looking at pics on ebay it appears part# 12337946 is longer than part# 3876870 and the correct tube he needs. I will report back after he goes to the dealer and looks at it. Again, thanks for the help.

[Lee H]

For the GM # 3876870 tube, the correct dip stick is GM # 3951576 and the correct lower tube is GM # 3951600, all still available from GM for about $45.

[GN120]

Originally Posted by Lee H

For the GM # 3876870 tube, the correct dip stick is GM # 3951576 and the correct lower tube is GM # 3951600, all still available from GM for about $45.

# 12337946 is listed for $15.15. If it is correct he can use the existing stick and be on his way. I will have to post pics of his super clean, all original (except the dip stick tube) truck.


Out of curiosity, what is the "lower tube" you referenced above? # 3876870 goes into the block and the stick slides into that. Where would the # 3951600 go?

[Lee H]

The lower tube slips in before the upper tube. All GM motors came from the factory with a lower tube. Most machine shops just knock them out and discard them and when the engine gets rebuilt they more often than not do not have the lower tube installed. The lower tube keeps the dip stick positioned in place to keep from getting hit by the crank shaft counter weights.

[med.bronze]

Originally Posted by Lee H

The lower tube slips in before the upper tube. All GM motors came from the factory with a lower tube. Most machine shops just knock them out and discard them and when the engine gets rebuilt they more often than not do not have the lower tube installed. The lower tube keeps the dip stick positioned in place to keep from getting hit by the crank shaft counter weights.

why do you suppose they discard them?

[Dunenutt]

Originally Posted by med.bronze

why do you suppose they discard them?

Lazy, I guess.

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by Dunenutt

Lazy, I guess.

It's generally a disposable part, like the upper tube. They can and usually get mangled getting them out. A used tube will generally not fit tight enough to stay in or prevent leaks. The person that buys and installs those kinds of parts, like the upper tube, should also deal with the lower tube. That's often the engine owner. Usually a machine shop assembles the rotating assemble and gives it back to the owner to finish it up.

[oldblue1968chevy]

12337946 Is a PN I have for the 'tube' on the upper end

I have a 71 gmc block with the dipstick on the drivers side the tube is loose in the block

Can someone tell me which Pn I need? Anyone got any pics? my tube is bout 9-10" long btw