Dipstick clearance issue with stage 2 heads

Discussion in 'Race 400/430/455' started by Bens99gtp, Sep 7, 2017.

  1. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Never so glad I actually took the time to test fit my new headers to the motor on the stand.

    Headers are at 2 1/8 tube, I could not get the dips tick back out around number 5 tube. My stick is style that just lays against the block, does not have a pipe it goes into.

    Spent several hrs bending a pipe and cable to come to the conclusion the cable is too flexible and feared it getting pulled in by the crank and oil when spinning.

    I would have to ding about 3/4 if an inch in the tube to get clearance....not doing that. For now I just ground most of the stop plate that sits on the block away and I can just barely get it in and out, but now some of the whole is exposed.

    Just wondering what others have done here incase I get oil back out here and need to do something differant
     
  2. Thumper (aka greatscat)

    Thumper (aka greatscat) Well-Known Member

    I cut a stock tube down so it would fit, then used a small rubber cap, like the carb caps, to cover the tube to keep oil from escaping. I only use the dip stick when I need to check level. I don't leave it in all the time. After putting in the correct no. of quarts of oil I like to run I test insert the dipstick, cause now the tube is cut and won't register correctly, I take a hack saw and remark the correct level line for future reference.
     
  3. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    I do something similar to Gary but don't use a dipstick tube at all.
    I take a dipstick and slide some tubing (I used Airlift tubing) on it made to the correct length that when it hits the block deck it is reading correctly. You could use a dipstick tube as a guide.
    Check the oil level then I insert a nice knurled aluminum pen-like magnet pickup tool to seal the hole. Looks like it was meant to be there. Got from Ace hardware....National tool I believe.
     

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  4. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    I went stick-less. Put the required 7 qts in. It dont leak or burn so it shouldnt need to be checked. Silicone a 1/4 20 bolt in the hole and let it run!
     
  5. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member


    This is one idea I will not do. It's nice to check oil not just for level, but water injestion, fuel wash, any number of reasons.

    So far grinding the stop disc on my stick is working. It covers 95ish% of the block hole. Will see soon if it gets blow by or drips when I get track time.
     

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  6. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    My application is race only. I change the oil after every 3-5 events.
     
  7. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Mine us race too, but we don't have to service ours that often. We are running gas not alky
     
  8. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    I Never use a dipstick in a race motor. Dipsticks are for little old ladies and gas station attendants, on daily drivers. :p

    Come on, if you suspect an issue, is it really that hard to pull the drain plug and drain the oil to inspect? If you can't drain the oil to inspect it, is drag racing really the hobby for you? :confused:

    And if your leaking water into the motor, the stick can fool you.. your better off to look in the valve cover thru a oil fill or breather hole.

    All race motors that leave here have the dipstick hole tapped for a 3/8-16 set screw, and are plugged. Access, for Stage 2 heads, goes from bad, to non-existent, depending on what headers you have.

    Just did a Stage 2 Te 555 in a 64 Skylark.. 750HP Street cruiser, was going to put a stick in.. fat chance with the 64-7 TA headers... not gonna happen.

    It was convienent that TA feels the same way as I do, and the dipstick hole on the Tomahawk block was tapped for an 1/8 inch pipe plug already, because the motor was built before we noticed the lack of stick/tube access.

    Dipstick on a race car.. come on, what's next.. and air filter life monitor? :eek:

    JW

    Seriously, I am just having some fun with you, but we discontinued the use of a dipstick years ago, because they were deemed more trouble than they were worth.. even on the Stage 1 iron head stuff we were running at the time.... for the very reason your asking here. Headers are always in the way, and oil leaking out dipstick tube over hot headers is a really good way to start a fire.
     
  9. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    All good, I have a bad habit of checking that stick b4 each race. I have no trouble draining oil just hate to waste a 100 bucks if not needed. Never had much of a leak ( knock on wood) or consumption issue, but more than once I notice the level up a little than where it was the week b4. Once was a bad head gasket, once we traced it down to a pinhole in #4 wall.......that one took a few weeks to trace down
     
  10. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    No need to throw it out if you drain it to check...

    Pour it right back in, thru a paint strainer if your worried about debris..

    I certainly would not throw away perfectly good oil. It's expensive these days.

    JW
     
  11. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Myself...I like to check. You never know....where and when oil disappears....also, I like to be sure oil level is where I want it, in my case with Poston pan....I run 1/2 to 1 qt low on my stick. Often if I put in the amount that is supposed to be in there, I end up with too much and too much can be just as bad as too little.
    Also, you can judge condition of the oil somewhat just looking at it on the stick. Had a motor that was eating the bearings once and the oil smelled bad and turned dark quite quick. If I had continued it would have gone BOOM.
     
  12. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member


    We run the pistons pan as well. 8 qts put us just over the full on the factory stick that is tried the overall length down to not hit the windage tray. I like to run 7 in and run it just over the add line. That's 2 qts more than I had from the factory and less chance the oil gets up to the crank causing extra drag
     
  13. HotRodRivi

    HotRodRivi Tomahawks sighted overseas

    So the kit fir dip stick that TA sells is not good?or only good for factory manifolds on stage 2 heads, but that can't happen , so only for stage one head with factory folds?
     
  14. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    No clue how good it is, I did not have the time to wait for shippment, I needed a solution. I flared a piece of tube that fit in the hole and bent the tube up aroud plugs and wires. Had a cable that went through the tube, but it was too flexible for my liking for fear of it getting drawn into the crank
     
  15. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    If the cable works you can leave it out when the engine is running and just make a cap for the tube when not taking a reading.
     
  16. HotRodRivi

    HotRodRivi Tomahawks sighted overseas

    That sounds like a good idear^^
     
  17. 70 GMuscle

    70 GMuscle Plan B

    What is the interference problem of the dip stick and headers?
    Flange between cylinders?
    Cut it off if that’s it.
    Done it on other brands. If that’s it.
     
  18. 70 GMuscle

    70 GMuscle Plan B

    I see I jumped threads from street forum and now see picture.
     
  19. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    the exhaust tube sits over the dipstick hole
     
  20. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    I have Stage 2 heads with TA shorty headers. The header has a 1/4-20 hole tapped in the flange and a bracket welded on the dip stick tube. I ended up installing the tube before the header. It was a pain, but it went in.
     

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