hard to find an answer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fdbdw · 07-23-2009, 02:11 PM

71 c10 w/74 350sb

Ive been researching and cant seem to find an answer, does anyone know what the lenght of the oil dipstick should be from stopper to full mark,
and also correct me if Im wrong, it should hold 5qrts of oil

ChevLoRay · 07-23-2009, 02:20 PM

I don't know if you should ask how long a mans' dipstick is.....

I haven't measured a dipstick in my life. Never thought about it, always relying on the accuracy of the dipstick as issued by the manufacturer. Back in the '60's, I worked at an ESSO station. We had several customers who drove Chrysler products. More than one of them would have us to only put in 4 quarts at an oil change, saying that it would just blow out the 5th one and then stay a quart low. I don't know if that was an accurate assessment or not, but they were the customer and they were paying the bill.

I have read/heard that when you change your oil and filter, then have run it long enough for the filter to re-fill and the oil to re-circulate, then shut it off you'd have the "full" level for your dipstick become known to you. With rubber stoppers, and caps on dipsticks that get loose (at tiimes), it is possible for the level that is shown on the stick to differ from what the hatchmarks say "full" should be.

But, as to a measurement....are you getting variable answers? Or, are you not getting ANY answers?

fdbdw · 07-23-2009, 02:26 PM

I think the PO put in the wrong length
the only answer I could find was 6 1/8" and that was just one guy on a different site ( I tend to trust this site more, I have never been steard wrong)
mine is 11" from block to full mark,
my wife says size doesnt matter but you know how they lie

100%Chevy · 07-23-2009, 08:12 PM

This should help:
If you have the stock oil pan,it holds 4 quarts.
Now,that being said,what filter do you have?
If it's an A/C,PF-35 or equivalant,it will hold just under 1 quart.
So that gives you 5 quarts total,+/- a little.
Mike.

Legolas894 · 07-23-2009, 09:37 PM

OK, went out in the rain and measured mine.

17" from the FILL line to the inside edge of the handle. I've got a 283 V8 so, not sure but it's probably the same as a 350 (both Small Blocks).

**special-K** · 07-24-2009, 05:01 AM

This is a good question.i`ve had vehicles where I didn`t know which dipstick was correct.You can figure it out on an all stock motor if you know exactly what you have.

chuckmc8 · 07-24-2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

This should help:
If you have the stock oil pan,it holds 4 quarts.
Now,that being said,what filter do you have?
If it's an A/C,PF-35 or equivalant,it will hold just under 1 quart.
So that gives you 5 quarts total,+/- a little.
Mike.

Mike has it right, IMO, If all stock, just do an oil change with the a/c filter, put in 5 qts and run it long enough for the oil to circulate and shut er off. Pull the dipstick and check the reading on da stick. If it isnt on the 'full' mark, take a file and mark the dipstick at the new full level and there ya go.
of course after that you could look for the correct stick now that you know how it should read, or just be sure to inform the new owner if you sell

fdbdw · 07-24-2009, 07:05 AM

Ok, did the oil change gonna check after I get to work

07-23-2009, 02:11 PM	#1
fdbdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: colorado springs Posts: 479	hard to find an answer 71 c10 w/74 350sb Ive been researching and cant seem to find an answer, does anyone know what the lenght of the oil dipstick should be from stopper to full mark, and also correct me if Im wrong, it should hold 5qrts of oil

07-23-2009, 02:20 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: hard to find an answer I don't know if you should ask how long a mans' dipstick is..... I haven't measured a dipstick in my life. Never thought about it, always relying on the accuracy of the dipstick as issued by the manufacturer. Back in the '60's, I worked at an ESSO station. We had several customers who drove Chrysler products. More than one of them would have us to only put in 4 quarts at an oil change, saying that it would just blow out the 5th one and then stay a quart low. I don't know if that was an accurate assessment or not, but they were the customer and they were paying the bill. I have read/heard that when you change your oil and filter, then have run it long enough for the filter to re-fill and the oil to re-circulate, then shut it off you'd have the "full" level for your dipstick become known to you. With rubber stoppers, and caps on dipsticks that get loose (at tiimes), it is possible for the level that is shown on the stick to differ from what the hatchmarks say "full" should be. But, as to a measurement....are you getting variable answers? Or, are you not getting ANY answers? __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-23-2009, 02:26 PM	#3
fdbdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: colorado springs Posts: 479	Re: hard to find an answer I think the PO put in the wrong length the only answer I could find was 6 1/8" and that was just one guy on a different site ( I tend to trust this site more, I have never been steard wrong) mine is 11" from block to full mark, my wife says size doesnt matter but you know how they lie

07-23-2009, 08:12 PM	#4
100%Chevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Moss Point,Ms. Posts: 1,439	Re: hard to find an answer This should help: If you have the stock oil pan,it holds 4 quarts. Now,that being said,what filter do you have? If it's an A/C,PF-35 or equivalant,it will hold just under 1 quart. So that gives you 5 quarts total,+/- a little. Mike.

07-23-2009, 09:37 PM	#5
Legolas894 Chemist under the hood... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Erie,ON, Canada Posts: 617	Re: hard to find an answer OK, went out in the rain and measured mine. 17" from the FILL line to the inside edge of the handle. I've got a 283 V8 so, not sure but it's probably the same as a 350 (both Small Blocks). __________________ Current fleet: 2013 GMC Sierra, 5.3L, 4x4 1988 GMC Sierra, 305, Auto 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 360 V8 1997 VW Cabrio, 2.0L 2017 Toyota Rav4, 2.5L Stuff I wish I still had: 2013 Toyota Matrix [RIP] 1967 GMC 910 Fleetside, 283 V8 [1st Love-SOLD] 1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4X4, 4.0 I-6 [SOLD} 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 5.7LV8 [SOLD] 1995 Chevrolet Astro AWD, 4.3L V6 (RIP) 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4, 5.7L V8 [SOLD]

07-24-2009, 05:01 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: hard to find an answer This is a good question.i`ve had vehicles where I didn`t know which dipstick was correct.You can figure it out on an all stock motor if you know exactly what you have. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-24-2009, 07:05 AM	#8
fdbdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: colorado springs Posts: 479	Re: hard to find an answer Ok, did the oil change gonna check after I get to work



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.