Greenfire

iTrader: (2)

I have a forged 383 LT4. Usually these engines take 5-1/2 quarts of oil, well we changed the oil b/c we are still breaking the engine in and added 4 quarts and on the dip stick its reading about a quarter of a inch over the normal oil range? The dip stick has not been cut that we know of. I'm not sure why the reading is off and no we have not been running the engine on 4 quarts of oil. I just don't get why the stick is reading soooo high?

Any thoughts?

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

So stock pan? Level location, engine off, after sitting for a few mins? You might not have drained the pan completely.

My95Z

iTrader: (8)

Still isn't drained completely, did you change the filter, they hold about a quart in most cases.

Greenfire

iTrader: (2)

Yes we emptied the filter and didn't put any oil in the filter. Stock pan and on level ground.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

this may be a stretch but perhaps the 3.75 stroke crank takes up extra volume and therefore reads a bit high

gold98Z28

iTrader: (7)

if you havent stated it and the filter is not full then......

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

o yea I shoulda caught that

1slo_camaro

iTrader: (2)

well i would throw in 5 quarts anyways. i had that problem before. my dipstick read wrong. but i just threwn in 5 qts. cause thats what i knew was what my SBC used. just my .02

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

The crank is not submersed in oil. If that were to happen it would cause very bad things.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

+1 - Even with a stroker and the stock pan the crank or rods do not sit in the oil - can you say whipped cream if they did!!! I never go by my dipstick anymore as my canton pan is deeper then it reads. If you drained it then measure out how much came out - fill the old quart bottles - but go with your gut and top it off with the 5th qt and then check it again after it warms up.

aboatguy

+1


Start it, run for a couple of seconds, shut it down



let it sit for a few minutes


check your oil level it should have dropped once the filter filled with oil

Greenfire

iTrader: (2)

Ok tomorrow we will start it and let then let it sit. Thanks for the advice I'll let you know how it goes! Hubby just told me he put the filter on empty and didn't start it.

tylert14

iTrader: (11)

Maybe good practice to pull a PCM or fuel pump fuse and crank it til you see oil pressure on the gauge then fire it up if there's no oil in the filter... Just my .02 cents.

Greenfire

iTrader: (2)

oil filter is full and it's still reading high after running for about 30 sec and shut down. I usually put about 5 quarts of oil in it depending on how it reads. i'm stumped.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Next possible step is to buy a mechanical oil gauge, set it up, take a few WOT blasts to see if you are experiencing windage. If not then I'd forget about it.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I would completely verify that your dipstick length is correct.

gold98Z28

iTrader: (7)

if it has a stock pan, and you put a new filter on, then put five qts in and forget about it. make a new mark on the stick acordingly

Greenfire

iTrader: (2)

Well well upon further investigation looks like the Oil pan itself is bent. Looks like some dumb **** tried to jack up on the oil pan possibly the person that did my engine build/ install. I'm not about blaming or complanin at this point. I'm just ordering a new oil pan and getting the **** fixed and callin it a day. Guess it's a good thing i got a aftermarket K-member installed while the engine was being built. Might make the job a lil easier.

Thanks all for your help. I feel like a dumbass that I didn't notice that sooner.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Glad you noticed before any engine damage possible from that could have occurred.

BALLSS

If the bottom of the pan is smashed in that far due to jacking after the build....it most likely bottomed out on the oil pick up....confirm it is not bent or if welded on did not crack the weld

also if the windage tray is not on...put it on. Many 383 builds don't because of clearance issues...which are EASILY solved by putting in a washer (1/8") between main stud bolt and windage tray. Miloden also makes extended stud bolts or you can use your stock ones