The Parts Place Repro Dip Stick Tube - Making in work for 68-70 GS Big Blocks w/PB

Discussion in 'Repro Parts' started by schwemf, Sep 26, 2022.

  1. schwemf

    schwemf Mike Schweitzer

    The Parts Place reproduction dip stick and tube appear to be a reproduction of the 1972-73 assembly, which won't allow the dip stick to be removed once installed on a 1968-70 GS big block with power brakes.

    Summary: dip stick tube needs more of a bend in it and the dip stick retainer's orientation needs to be rotated about 90 degrees from where it's attached.

    Fix:
    1. The dip stick tube retainer is brazed on. Heat the retainer with a neutral flame (using a welding torch) to remove.
    2. Bend the tube to clear the obstructions, i.e. the power brake master cylinder and heat riser tube. Only a slight bend is necessary.
    3. Reinstall tube in engine block and check for fit.
    4. Once the tube is adequately bent, reinstall the bracket to make note as to where to reattach.
    5. Reweld the retainer back on the tube.

    The pictures show both the before-bending shots, as well as the after. Notice before-bending the tube aligns directly at the master cylinder. The after-bending shot shows it out of the way of the master cylinder.

    One picture shows me holding an original tube (1234633) next to The Parts Place reproduction . The original has the greater bend.

    Eagle eyes will notice that the "before" shots are of an actual 72-73 factory tube, and not The Parts Place reproduction. I just didn't think to take the before shots until I had already modified The Parts Place tube.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 27, 2022
    Utah455 and 446379H like this.
  2. Matt Knutson

    Matt Knutson Well-Known Member

    Good job. Do you know if the tube you bought is the same as TAPerformance sells? They also sell a kit that the bracket / brace comes un-attached (TA1500B).
     
  3. schwemf

    schwemf Mike Schweitzer

    Sorry Matt, I just saw your question. I don't know the answer, but buying a kit with the bracket un-attached would be the way to go to get the tube "right".

    In my posts above, I used the tube from my '69 GS big block with power brakes as the model. From Duane's posts I've now learned that the tube orientation changed for '70 GS big blocks with power brakes. There's less bend in the '70 piece.

    Here are some pictures from two different '70 GS big blocks with power brakes. Note that in both cases the dip stick pulls out straight up to miss the master cylinder and not "towards the front of the car" as in '69. As always, someone may have messed with these in the last 50 years, but they are both oriented the same and work well.

    IMG_20230915_134614746.jpg IMG_20230915_134626103.jpg IMG_20230915_140540028.jpg IMG_20230915_140937251.jpg IMG_20230915_140945417.jpg IMG_20230915_134614746.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2023
    Dano likes this.

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