Got dipstick tube, but can't get it in

[doodah man]

I got a OEM dipstick tube for my 350 SBC from a very generous board member recently, but I'm having a rough time trying to get it in the block. I gave up for fear I was going to break the end off the new one. Does anybody know a trick for getting these in? It goes in about 3/8" but I didn't get it further. I was gripping it with a pair of pliers just above the lip at the bottom and my nephew was tapping the pliers with a hammer.


It looks like there is a groove in the exhaust manifold (ram's horns) that the tube should rest against. Is that the correct placement or is that just a coincidence?

Here's what I'm working with:

[specialtyretail]

We always clean them really well, dress them down just a bit with emery cloth and then freeze them. Helps a bunch..

[yuccales]

Yes, it goes into the groove on the manifold.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by specialtyretail

We always clean them really well, dress them down just a bit with emery cloth and then freeze them. Helps a bunch..

great idea...especially freezing as the metal will slightly shrink...

[tooter]

Are you sure none of the old tube is broke off in block??

[specialtyretail]

I was thinking that also...

[eightbanger]

x3

[Frkypunk70]

If you have all that broke off inside out. Then I would try that freezer trick, I've seen it work on bearings and bushings( never thought about it on a dipstick) Good piece of advice. Also clean any paint off where it goes into the block and put a little anti seize and or lubricant on there. They are definetely a tight fit normally. Let us know what works for ya good luck.

[Tx Firefighter]

I run them across the bench grinder and wire wheel to remove any paint, grease, or burrs. Then tighten a crescent wrench down to where it fits the tube snugly right up against the bulged area then hammer it in with a hammer on the crescent wrench.

[68 IRON]

Not to hi-jack......but this should work the other way also, right? Freeze the base, vise grips around tube with a drill bit in the end...and/or wiggling the tube out?

[Autoblueprint]

Originally Posted by doodah man

Does anybody know a trick for getting these in? It goes in about 3/8" but I didn't get it further. I was gripping it with a pair of pliers just above the lip at the bottom and my nephew was tapping the pliers with a hammer.

These dipstick tubes are an interference fit...(1) attach a crowfoot of the correct size ( so that the crowfoot won't slip past the tube "dimple" ) to a long ( 36" or so ) 3/8 ratchet extension (2) then align the tube for proper dipstick pull position (3) then tap the top of the extension with a brass hammer till the tube dimple bottoms in the block.

Of course, make sure there is no broken piece in the dipstick hole in the block before doing this. Also, to prevent oil seepage, you may want to put some non-hardning sealer on the dipstick shaft that goes into the block prior to driving it in.

[Autoblueprint]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I run them across the bench grinder and wire wheel to remove any paint, grease, or burrs. Then tighten a crescent wrench down to where it fits the tube snugly right up against the bulged area then hammer it in with a hammer on the crescent wrench.

Should work...it is the same principal as the crowsfoot.

[doodah man]

Thanks guys. I'll try the freezing trick this weekend. I did get the broken piece out (after about 30 minutes of pulling and pushing and cussing).