Engine oil dipstick tube. With stage 2 headers.

Just curious. I've done everything that I could think of. The guy before me had some kind of thing that I wasn't happy with from the start as far as the engine oil dipstick. Anyhow. The engine is out so should be simple. NOT. Every little bend that you make to the brand new TA dipstick tube to clear the freaking big stage 2 headers is a problem. But also to be able to have the new dipstick tube clear the #5 & &7 plugs is another issue. I used a tubing bender shown. Also brazed on a support bracket to a header bolt. But the freaking dipstick tube doesn't love any kind of bend. I even slightly grinded down the stick with a #80 stone. Even took a round stone and opened up the edge of the aluminum head as shown if you look closely. Just to give a little more clearance between the dipstick tube and the head and the header. The dipstick still hangs up going up and down. But it works. Just wondering. Thinking. Maybe a cable type dipstick. Is there such a thing for a Buick 455 ?

 

Not sure if any of this will help, but here ya go:

https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/dipstick-clearance-issue-with-stage-2-heads.325018/

Devon

 

So. I get the race guys. 1/4 at a time. No issues. I'm a guy that needs to check.

 

Just wondering if there is is a way. To use a cable type dipstick for a 455 Buick

 

Not sure about a cable.

Let me do another search, here. Some links that show are dead, but it seems there were some others I saw that my help.

Devon

 

AM&P seems to have one in the works, see

https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/stage-2-oil-dip-stick.27520/

https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/engine-oil-dipstick-tube-with-stage-2-heads.145656/

That's about it as far as searching v8Buick history so far...

Devon

 

I'll figure it out. I'll let everyone know

 

Might take a little time

 

We have faith in you. Looking forward to your results, and know that whatever works for you may help lots of others, too.

As much as we try, in engineering & production the "things gone wrong" book is always bigger than the "things gone right" one. Kinda like online consumer reviews. Folks are quick to complain, but when pleased, forget to do the five star thing!

Devon

 

Well said

 

I just used the stick that didn't use a tube, the older one thst just sits on the block.........just ground down the stop disc and go slowly it will clear and be functional

 

Take a look at this. Its a external DS for marine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275879145502?hash=item403badb01e:g:EIgAAOSw0aBkeGDa&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA4AKTOq6GIxXfmO/6UJifK+suP5qtaNqDzLIVejVKxfjZi6b6V6m973hXoD0Etr0ikm1ZzYpDoNSiWerHUwh5XsxnNG+rB44FTEdrYogBwhzd4znGyo0mkWoVcYMFPZsTxTMOXPMnczGngAAhl5ed1VfxBWDKNExJSMeaz5AhRxyFTF8h5rq15eMQj1UEKs0A0HR9Fj5qSwgdlUcnTvRs42rDPiJqBUT3SdpIQ+MmBexfWLuMteILgIpnndPwbx+5BpONyyBn5NTQKN3t5QZRiFirfzEfra90pDqUAotA4RK8|tkp:BFBM9vK8gK9j

another style... Basically they work like a sight glass. That you dip the stick into..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165746455188?hash=item2697423294:g:LowAAOSwSCpjWp4F&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA4ND6UJNu3uzZsN8pvfVcqAfWuhFIjNu3a4r3bieXTGOto3A3o2hVKxau6N8gWoAapisExxz6FK6C1VIvUeMkbDznxo9hpG+2oSHyvRJoDAzb87m/kR1EwsN0FhSGqRIXredYETrGQ5Ye7mIsvhhuDSPFhIIBUpM+6AvxVt5pOUSBUzfZhQj3PmKMnUOBPrHtrNUqrYKSNnMRvYOwEf+Fob2DY9hg4Y9c/3UWc/h7Xkr1oMBoCafhMh7LJeXtqr631j9xWct4E2036HuBBXIJYZqaWQNA+YQdHE7n3hD1hYxU|tkp:BFBM-PK8gK9j

 

Just rammed the tube down and let it rest against the header tube on mine

 

Is that going to clear the header??????

 

It clears, it allows access to spark plug etc. Just had to bend the tube slightly and make a bracket and weld it too the tube. The tube has to be inserted when the header is hanging on the studs.

 

Thx. I plan on checking the engine oil frequently and you really have to jam that thing in there. Afraid it'll break off at some point in the future. And of course that will be at the worst time if you know my luck sometimes. I'm going to take the stick to a local real parts store and see if he can match up a cable type dipstick.

 

Just like butter. I'm obviously not interested in a stock situation. But as I said. It was like jamming the stock dipstick in. And that's with the engine out. So I was thinking about a cable type thing. Here's what I did. I could not find an exact fit 20 1/2" cable type dipstick. Found out that autozone carries a Dorman universal cable type deal. So I bought 2 for $22 each. One I cut down with the finger O puller. One I cut down and used the old chrome pull thing from the old dipstick. That took a little fabrication so that it would fit the tube nice and snug. In any case that's the extra. See the pictures. May not be in order. I showed both finished products. they came out ok. They work better than before. I get it about you stock guys I really do. For me. This is a hotrod that needs to be checked constantly. I will say this much. Compared to the stock steel blade these are "butter" he cable type one that I came up with is "just like butter".