Does the dipstick tube take an O-ring?

[AussieinNC]

These are always tight to install when using a new o'ring....

I usually have good luck by rubbing petroleum jelly on the o"ring with it on the tube, then place the tube in a freezer for a few hours...

When installing into the sump, a little more petroleum jelly on the sump boss before installing the tube.

Some folk recommend silicon sealer, but I have never needed it if I use a new ring...

[burnin oil]

Are you sure that you found an Oring in the sump. A lot of chevys had those plastic Oring looking valves seals from the factory which I have found in the sump a lot. Napa normally has a huge selection of Orings in stock if you ask. Normally I try and buy the ones for AC systems. They tend to do better with oil saturation and are usually a larger gauge that will take up some slop if needed.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Interesting. I was planning to check Napa for another O-ring, I pretty well demolished the new one. I'll try the freeze/petro trick.

I found the O-ring on top of the flange inside the oil pan tube, or what AussieinNC calls the boss. It was definitely for the tube.

[Mr_Rich]

It depends on which engine blocks you're discussing; pre-'86 or post '86. I happen to have two examples of those engines in my garage. On my old 307 the oil tube was a press fit and I remember there was actually a tool to tap the oil dipstick tube into the block. Some people really used to mangle those pounding them into the block with the end of a screwdriver. On the post-'86 350 (one-piece crank seal) the dipstick tube mounts into a boss on the block just above the oil pan. The dipstick tube goes dip into the pan and either a small O-ring or sealer will work; whatever someone finds easier.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by Mr_Rich

It depends on which engine blocks you're discussing; pre-'86 or post '86. I happen to have two examples of those engines in my garage. On my old 307 the oil tube was a press fit and I remember there was actually a tool to tap the oil dipstick tube into the block. Some people really used to mangle those pounding them into the block with the end of a screwdriver. On the post-'86 350 (one-piece crank seal) the dipstick tube mounts into a boss on the block just above the oil pan. The dipstick tube goes dip into the pan and either a small O-ring or sealer will work; whatever someone finds easier.

This discussion is involving big block engines, not small blocks.

[Mr_Rich]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

This discussion is involving big block engines, not small blocks.

I'm reading a discussion that involves both, including pics. Miss that part?

[Grumpy old man]

Run a bead of Permatex #1 around the tube shove it in and forget about it .

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by Mr_Rich

I'm reading a discussion that involves both, including pics. Miss that part?

Must have. My apologies. But the OP was asking about a big block....

[Redneck Rydes]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Run a bead of Permatex #1 around the tube shove it in and forget about it .

X2 put it to bed

[68bowtie]

I believe Tony may be trying to get these kind of details as close as possible to factory.

[Grumpy old man]

I understand . He's building by the book .That's why it's fun talking to him , I have a book . I sit my coffee on it every day . But if you find the last O ring in the pan maybe there's another way to skin that cat ? and as far as it leaking or seeping oil I'd feel better using the Permatex

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Run a bead of Permatex #1 around the tube shove it in and forget about it .

I hear you, but I wanted to give it one more try, cuz I'm CDO as (*)*^. Here's my report

1. The original 274244 is 0.4375 OD X 0.34375 ID.......It would work too.

2. The NOS 274244 is 0.5078 OD X 0.34375 ID..........That's why the bastard doesn't work. NOS or not, it's the wrong O-ring. Yeah, I'm ignorant enough to have spent $8 on an NOS O-ring. I never bought an O-ring before

3. NAPA sells part number 727-2011. It's 0.4375 OD and 0.3125 ID for 59 cents and it works. The ID is just a pinch more narrow than original, but it's not much a stretch. The tube slides in easily, though I did lube it up a bit.


On a side, NAPA sells 727-2012 for 59 cents as well. It's the same O-ring as the impostor 274244.

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I understand . He's building by the book .That's why it's fun talking to him , I have a book . I sit my coffee on it every day . But if you find the last O ring in the pan maybe there's another way to skin that cat ? and as far as it leaking or seeping oil I'd feel better using the Permatex

Wasn't in the pan dang it!.......................What's that tube called on the oil pan? It was resting quietly inside on top of the flange. Did have a split in it....It's old like us. I get your meaning. Be a bummer to fall through and end up in the oil pump.

[Grumpy old man]

" What's that tube called on the oil pan? "

You must be talking about the FACTORY NOS O RING EATER ?

Careful with them they split o rings .and leak all over that freshly painted oil pan

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

" What's that tube called on the oil pan? "

You must be talking about the FACTORY NOS O RING EATER ?

Careful with them they split o rings .and leak all over that freshly painted oil pan