Stupid Question of the Day, Week, etc.???

[clean71]

Bought a performer rpm crate motor. Drivers side head has cutout for dipstick but no corresponding hole in the block. I'm assuming there is another type/location for the dipstick tube but I have no idea what it is. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Sinister]

No clue on that motor, but did you check the passenger side?

[clean71]

The motor specs say that there's one on either side. However, there's no cutout on passenger head and and no hole on driver's side. It's stuff like that that has caused me to spend two months to swap a motor. aaaaaaggggghhh!

[69halfton]

are the heads on backwards? (I.I wrong sides of the motor) i was pretty sure that the heads were NOT interchangeable...but maybe they are?

[cdowns]

dipsticks in my experience go into the oilpan not the head

[clean71]

I think you misread the post. The port for the dipstick tube is on the block just in front of the second head bolt and feeds down to the oil pan. In this instance, there is no hole in the block in the typical location. The reference to the head was how they are formed with a semi circular cutout that typically allows you to place the dipstick tube in the block.

[ed2552]

Call Edelbrock, they should be able to help you out. On this board the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.

[deputyd_0803]

I am with Cdowns, Mine on my 402 mounts directly in the pan on the passenger side. My block doesn't have a port for the tube to go through. I am new to all this, but this is what is on my engine.

[Palf70Step]

On my regular 350 crate, it is the same. They engines are cut to except either side dip stick tube. The passenger side oil tube is way longer (later motors) because it goes in near the oil pan, not next to the head. Not sure what year it changed, but the 80s motor that was in my 69 parts vehicle had it on the passenger side and I tried to install the tube on that side. I got frustrated finding one that fits right, so I went to the driver's side (which I did not know about until a board member told me).

Don't forget to use the supplied metal plugs to plug the one you are not going to use. (Don't ask how I know this )

[LONGHAIR]

are the heads on backwards? (I.I wrong sides of the motor) i was pretty sure that the heads were NOT interchangeable...but maybe they are?

The heads are the same, they will go on either side.

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

The heads are the same, they will go on either side.

While this is true one thing to keep in mind is that there are three accessory holes drilled on one end of each head and only one on the other end. If you swap heads it moves the three holes to the other side of the engine. This may cause problems with alternator and AC compressor mounting. I'm not sure on the Gen II and Gen III engines but the older ones are like that.

[papsoldblue72]

oil pan dipsticks are on big block motors. not sure about small blocks.

[corn]

driver side dipsticks are in the block by the head. pass dipsticks go into the pan. Look at Palf's pics...

[clean71]

Therein lies my problem. There is no hole at where the dipstick is in the second pic nor is there one on the passenger side. I'll look closer but something isn't right. Just wondering if anyone has seen some type of alternate set up. If it's something simple like the manufacturer forgot to put the hole in, I'm going to be pissed. I had a bunch of stuff stolen off the motor a couple weeks ago and that set me back a bunch of time and money. I'm trying to get my Blazer running before it goes in storage at the end of June. Well, we'll see.... If you have any other ideas, let me know.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by clean71

I think you misread the post. The port for the dipstick tube is on the block just in front of the second head bolt and feeds down to the oil pan. In this instance, there is no hole in the block in the typical location. The reference to the head was how they are formed with a semi circular cutout that typically allows you to place the dipstick tube in the block.

You know, I personally have done a few GM engines, and I am having a problem picturing what you are referencing in this port on the head for the dipstick tube. Not that I doubt you, but I have put in engines with the dual holes in the block and a plug is supplied to seal whichever one you don't use, but I have never had to deal with porting or anything in the head. The boltted part of the tube usually connects to the exhaust manifold bolt onmany engines and I haven't had to find a bolt hole or port (whichever) on the head. I even have a TPI mootor sitting on an engine stand right now in the garage, also a LS-1 engine and no ports in my mind. MAYBE Look at using a LOKAR dipstick.

Am I missing something in your posting---probably.

[clean71]

We're talking about the same thing. When I said "cutout" I was talking about the notch in the head flange??(I guess that's what it's called) that allows you to place the dipstick tube in the block. The flange?? on the passenger's side head may or may not have this (mine doesn't). The hole itself is in the block. This is my first time doing anything engine related so I may be using the wrong terminology. None the less, I thought, mistakenly, that a crate engine was the way to go because while I may not know how everything works, I can (should be able to) take things out and put them back together.

[piecesparts]

I never have had an issue such as this. Nothing else; that is what die grinders are for.

[Palf70Step]

My holes were plugged (plastic, but painted over). It took me a while to find mine., especially the one on the driver's side since I was only looking in the place my 80's engine had it. The passenger side is right down where the oil pan lip is, I can't figure out how to describe the drivers side hole, since that was last year and it twas 5 months before I realize there was a hole there for that.

[clean71]

PA, I'll check a little closer then. Maybe that's what's going on with mine. You'd think they'd make them a little more visible if they used plastic plugs. Obviously, you'd have to swap them for metal ones.