1963 Dipstick

[Jack H.]

Local chapter members got me going on this one and I've reached a dead end. The question is what constitutes a 'correct' original, high horse, dipstick for a 1963 Corvette?

In paging through my Parts & Accessory Catalogs as well as the AIM books, I see the oil gauge underwent a change in PN after 1963 making the high and low horse versions of this two piece dipstick different for 1964. The P&A Catalogs list dimensions A and B (hilt to Full and hilt to Add marks) with the matrix being this way:

Year Engine Dipstick No. Dimension A Dimension B

1963 Low HP 3739830 19-9/16 In 20-21/64 In

1963 Hi HP 3834117 ??? ???

1964 Low HP 3846810 19-3/16 In 20 In

1964 Hi HP 3846811 19-3/16 In 20 In

We accept the fact that the high horse dipstick had a chrome handle, but it appears to be another of those '63-only items and I don't have a dimensional call out for the '117 part in my books.

The '830 dipstick is well known as it was used back to 1958 and I've seen quite a few originals having the following characteristics.

(1) They agree with the P&A Catalog's dimensions.

(2) The ADD and FULL emboss marks are HEAVY extending through the metal and out the back side.

(3) The add and full gradicules are straight lines (not dashed).

(4) There's what appears to be a source manfacturer's mark (either an 'M' or a 'W') positioned high on the stick (near where the upper handle is riveted), but their may have been other suppliers...

(5) There are no other marks on the dipstick like 'engine oil', the part number, Etc.

What info can board members supply on this...dimensions, marks, Etc. Was the '117 dipstick essentially the same as the '830 dipstick with only the handle being chromed vs. painted black or are there other characteristics unique to the part?

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 Dipstick

Jack,

Here's what I have on the 63 dipstick.

The original 250/300 HP stick was part number 3739830. The dim's are 19 9/16" - 20 21/64". It was coated in black that "leaned" toward gloss and had a beveled edge steel washer and felt seal at the top. It appears it was used nearly throughout the 63 model run with a possibility of a change near the end to the newer 64 style. This part was NOT unique to Corvette or to the 63 model year.

The original start of production 340/360 HP stick was part number -------. (can't find it at the moment) The dim's are 19 37/64" - 20 21/64". It too was coated in near gloss black. The washer and seal were the same as the base engine stick. This black handle stick was used in production until somewhere around late November or early December.

340/360 HP from late November until end of prod, or possibly near end of prod was part number 3834117. It had a chrome handle and the dim's are the same as the 1st design painted stick at 19 37/64" - 20 21/64".

In late prod for 63, or possibly SOP of the 64 model, both the base and HP sticks were replaced.

The base engine stick, part # 3739830 was replaced by part # 3846810. It looked similar but had a cup type rubber seal at the top that fit OVER the end of the dipstick tube. The new dim's were 19 3/16" - 20". (yes, different than the 63 stick) This part became the service replacement for all 63 and 64 250/300 HP engines. Handles on originals are thought to be black but in service, they were black plating of some sort.

The 365/375 HP engine stick for 64 was a 3846811, replacing the 63 part at or near SOP of the 64 run. The handle was chrome and the dim's are 19 31/64" - 20". (same as base) It too had the new positive seal style cup at the upper end, replacing the washer and felt seal of the 63 stick. It became the service replacement for all 63 and 64 Hi/perf apps.

I don't know if the 1st design black painted stick for early 63 sp/h-perf is noted in the judging manual.

I've only seen the "M" or "W" but there certainly could be more mfg codes.

[Loren L.]

Mike's correct

The point should also be made that the chromed HP version in 1963 has a "flattened" metal hilt - the '64 and later used a "tubular" metal hilt.
At one time long ago, Paragon was reprodcuing the 1963 HP, but it initially
did NOT duplicate the stamping on the stick itself. That may have happened since then.

[Cliff Vaughn]

Re: Mike's correct

FWIW, My '63 L75 has the "M" or "W" near the rivets (backside). The ADD, FULL and ENGINE OIL are heavy embosed and "dashed" at each marking. 20 21/64 in length. I guess this is 3739830 for a mid April car.

Cliff

[Jack H.]

Re: 1963 Dipstick

Thanks for the dimensional data on the '117 stick, that's what I couldn't find in my P&A Catalogs because it was so short lived before being replaced by the '811 stick for '64. Bottom line, VERY little difference and only at the Full mark (1/64-inch is almost unmeasurable!).

Michael, did your dimensional data come from GM sources or was it empirically determined? Also, do you have any additional info on marks on the stick that would visually ID it? Specifically,

(1) Is the lower tip rounded, beveled at 45-degrees or a pointed 'arrow head' (the low HP '830 stick is an arrow head)?

(2) Are FULL and ADD gradicules straight lines (like the '830) or dash marks?

(3) Are there any other emboss marks on the stick like 'Engine Oil' or the stick's PN?

(4) Any mfgr specific identifying marks like 'M' or 'W' on these willey critters?

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 Dipstick

Jack,

The 63 and 64 solid lifter engine dip sticks add/full dim's differ by more than 1/64th. I probably should have laid out the page more accurately for comparrison. The difference betwen the full marks is 3/32" and the difference between the add marks is 21/64". I have no explanation for the difference as nothing else in the entire system that I can think of changed which would require a different length. The oil pan and upper dip stick tube would be the only things that could have changed the requirement for this dim but these parts are exact carryover from 63 with no change. The only thing I can think of that would change the dim would be the exact location of the washer at the top of the stick, under the rubber seal, but I believe that too is the same.

The dimension data comes directly from GM. I've never actually tried to measure one of these. I have compared a 63 solid lifter engine stick to a 63 hudraulic lifter engine stick and there definitely is a difference that appears to be that of the dimensions listed for each.

I have a 63 stick from a mid/late solid lifter car but I haven't been able to find it, yet.

The scan below is of a 1st design black painted dip stick from a November 62 built 63 F.I. car. I believe this is exactly the same as the later chrome handle stick but I'll wait until I have that in my hand to be sure.

Other than the characters shown in the scan, the only other thing on the blade is the "M". I see no mfg logo or marks.

[Michael H.]

1st Design Unplated 63 Dip Stick

Good shot of the washer/seal design that was used for most/all 63's. In fact, I believe this design goes back well into the 50's. The washer appears to be felt, or some similar material.

[Mike L.]

Re: 1st Design Unplated 63 Dip Stick

Michael, I believe you are correct, and also some early 1964 HP cars have the same dip stick. I know my early #2405 FI car has the same dip stick.