trying to insert dipstick but hitting something...


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By wex65 - 10 Years Ago
Can someone tell me if I am going nuts.

Tried to install the oil dipstick into a rebuilt 292 motor but it (the dipstick, NOT the dipstick tube) hits metal.

I poke a small screwdriver into the hole circled below and it goes in like 1 inch before hitting a hard stop.

When the original motor was being rebuilt (312) we discovered a cracked main bearing web so switched to a 292 block. I assume they are all the same as far as the dipstick location. Can anyone tell me what I am hitting?! I REALLY don't want to have to drop the oil pan as that will mean dropping all the steering out from underneath again.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/uploads/images/2e587dff-b34f-46a9-872a-6e81.jpg
By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
That is the truck dipstick hole. Is there another one on the front? I think the one you are trying to use has a plug in it, like a small freeze plug. If you need to put the dipstick on the side you may have to pull the pan to knock out that plug. You might be able to get away without pulling the pan by draining the oil and putting a mechanics magnet up in the hole. There is another one on the front bottom of the passenger side. That may be open. If you use the side one you will have to plug the front and vice versa.
By Rono - 10 Years Ago
WEX65

Moonshadow is correct. Are you using a front sump oil pan or a rear sump oil pan? You said the original block was a 312 so I am assuming this block is in a car not a truck and if so you want to use the front dip stick tube location for the for the front sump oil pan.

Rono
By wex65 - 10 Years Ago
Thanks guys. The engine is in a '55 TBird with a rear sump.

I managed to punch out the plug (thankfully!) and will try to fish a magnetic wand in through the drain hole in the next day or so to fish it out.

I don't see a front dipstick hole and suspect that is part of the timing cover?
By NoShortcuts - 10 Years Ago
- passenger side of the engine...
- right next to the timing chain cover, BUT in the engine block casting...
- bottom of the engine block's Y shape (viewed from the front) ...
- between the lower two timing chain cover bolts just above the oil pan...
Make sure that it's plugged!

Hope this helps.   Smile
By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
The black line behind the alternator is the car type dip stick location. There is a hole in the block that it fits in and the tube has a tab that lines up to bolt on the front of the head. 
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/uploads/images/0c20cdce-4d79-488c-ade8-13ad.jpg
By wex65 - 10 Years Ago
MoonShadow (11/25/2015)
The black line behind the alternator is the car type dip stick location. There is a hole in the block that it fits in and the tube has a tab that lines up to bolt on the front of the head. 



Many thanksguys, I think the early TBird uses the side hole as it has a generator (and rear sump) which kinda blocks the front one.

I managed to unplug the side one and will plug up the front one this weekend to prevent leaks.