QuestionI saw your response to a 235 cubic inch oil capacity question. I just had a 1962 235 rebuilt for a 1953 chevy pick-up I am restoring. The machine shop put 5 quarts in the engine and the dip-stick shows nothing. Obviously either the dip-stick is too short or someone pressed a longer dip-stick tube into the block. Do you know how long the dipstick is supposed to be for that motor; and/or how long the dip-stick tube is supposed to be (above where it enters the block)?
Thank you, James
AnswerHi James:
Not sure of the exact length of the dipstick, but what you can do is, take your current dipstck with you to Autozone, Carquest, NAPA, etc. and tell them it is too short and have them lookup the correct stick for your pickup. If they tell you the stick is the correct length, that means the tube has been changed. In that case have them give you a longer stick anyway to try.
The key here is, if you know your engine is full of oil (5 quarts without filter, 6 with), then you know where the oil should come up to on the stick. A bit trial and error, but the best way to get it right.
Also, very important to check the oil while the engine is COLD and NOT running, and sitting on a level surface.
