John35thSS

Just picked up 383 LT1 from ARE <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> .One problem, the factory dipstick hits mains. Was wondering what the best solution would be, I was told not to shorten the dipstick tube unless I wanted to take the motor out again. Has anyone found a way to keep stock location and dipstick.

Gangly

my oil dipstick tube is cut to where it goes maybe 2 inches into the block and ive had no problems at all. however, if your dipstick tube is hitting the mains, then even if you cut your dipstick tube, the dipstick itself might make contact. maybe an alternate oil pan perhaps, but that would require the motor to be lifted slightly if not taken completely out. if im wrong, somebody please correct me.

ou812/z28

if it is the factory tube then it should not hit the mains unless it has been bent bad. my tube would not go due to the canton pan. so i ground the side towards the pan all th eway to the ring for the block real thin, and as i put it in it folded over on it's self and the dip stick works fine. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

John35thSS

I have milodon splayed caps and the canton pan.
The tube is right in the centre of the cap, I havent even checked the pan. Looks like I might have to use a short dipstick in the pan, any ideas <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />

1LEThumper

Just becareful when cutting the tube and keeping the dipstick in there with the motor running. I had to cut mine because it didn't fit the first Canton pan design (new one is out now) and the crank got ahold of the dipstick and sheared it right off. Had to pull the pan and fish it out of there, not a fun weekend. If you are having to cut the tube because it hits or doesn't fit right then just keep a plug in it and just use the stick to check it when its not running.

John35thSS

So my best solution is to cut the tube and just use the dipstick to check the oil then remove and cap it <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" /> .If this is a common problem is'nt there a better solution, called canton and they acted like I'm the first guy that called with this problem if the pan had the right size V it could have worked.

1LEThumper

http://www.nu-tekmotorsports.com/new_page_3.htm

scroll down and you will see the new pan that Canton is making now that will take the stock dipstick tube, but if you have the older one it will not fit, trust me I tried.

The older pans were baised off of a dry sump pan I believe then they added the bottom part. The new ones look to be more basied on the production ones.