Gauge or Tube at Fault??

[Joe C.]

One of these days, I'll get around to fixing this, but for now, I only want to get some dimensions. The "problem" is, that with a 1965 327/365, correct 5 quart pan, old style cannister oil filter, and "correct" dipstick tube and gauge (the one with the tapered end, from Par***n), the gauge stick reads 3/8" below "full" with 6 quarts after filling with a dry filter. Distance between "add" and "full" measures 3/4", so this translates to 1/2 quart. The tube was installed with the lower extension piece, and the flange is fully bottomed into the block.

I'll eventually cut the extra 3/8" off the top of the tube with a Dremel tool, but for now would appreciate any pertinent dimensions for both the tube and gauge.

Thanks in advance.

Joe

[Mark #28455]

Dremel will make metal filings

Would it be possible to use a "mini" tubing cutter? You can get them at any hardware store in the plumbing section and they only require about 1" clearance. This would provide a clean cut with no filings.
Mark

[Duke W.]

Re: Gauge or Tube at Fault??

From my '77 vintage parts catalog the 58-64 tube is 3732488, 8 21/32" OAL and "curved", and the gauge is 3846810 with lengths as follows"

Seat to full mark, 19 3/16"
Seat to full mark, 20"

For 65-74 327 and 350 the tube is 3865664, no length specified, and the gauge is 3862730 and the lengths are as follows.

Seat to full mark, 20 5/32"
Seat to add mark, 20 59/64"

So it appears that the gauge and tube changed between '64 and '65 even though the engines are essentially the same.

I wonder how many cars are running around with mismatched tubes and gauges?

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Gauge or Tube at Fault??

Duke, Joe,

The 3865664 tube in your 77 parts book was originally for, I believe, passenger car, not 65-66 Corvette. The original part number for the tube is/was 3876784 but was later replaced with the pass car part. If I remember correctly, the change occured in the late 60's or early 70's. Unfortunately, there are no dim's provided for either tube.

The stick, listed in a 66 printing of the parts book, is shown as "65-66 327 350/365 HP", and is part number 3864974. (that may not be the correct original number for SOP of 65 as it's a little higher numrically than it should be but it's possible. Maybe someone with a 65 AIM can check this out. The related engine opotion pages should show the part numbers) The dimensions for this stick are listed in the 66 book as 20 5/32" and 20 15/16". Hope this helps.

[Joe C.]

Re: Dremel will make metal filings

Mark,

Thanks for the response. A tubing cutter is NG for anything as thin walled as the oil gauge tube. It will pinch the tubing near the cut, and decrease its diameter at the cut. Your thought is a good one, though. What I have in mind is to, of course plug the tube prior to the "operation" to prevent any filings from entering the crankcase, then vacuum the plug prior to removing it.

Joe

[Joe C.]

Diff Might Be In The Oil Filter

Duke, Michael,

I thank you both for your replies. From what you have given me, I think it'll be difficult to determine which is the culprit..........the tube or the stick.

Here's what I've got:

Tube OAL: Impossible to measure accurately
Tube Config: Curved end
Tube Finish: Black/natural
Tube taper: 2" +/- 1/16" from end

Gauge Stampings: ADD. .FULL ENGINE OIL M

Gauge Dimensions: Seat-to add: 20 7/8"

Seat-to-full: 20 1/8"

It's very possible that the updated configurations/service replacements took into account the difference in capacity of the canister type filters, and the spin-on types.

Joe

[Joe C.]

Re: Gauge or Tube at Fault??

Michael,

See reply to Duke, above.

Joe

[Michael H.]

Re: Diff Might Be In The Oil Filter

Joe,

I don't think the GM replacement was meant to accomodate the difference in filter capacity as the replacement part was designed for the 65 pass car well before the shorty spin on was used in 69. I think it was just a cost reduction move as the pass car part was a somewhat reasonable replacement for the Corvette part. Not sure tho...

If I had an original 65 tube, I would post the dim, but I'm pretty sure I don't have one to measure.

[Joe C.]

Re: Diff Might Be In The Oil Filter

Thanks Mike. I'll probably just cut off 3/8" from the tube, to correspond to "full" with 6 quarts and dry cannister filter.

I suspect that the diff in filter capacity is less than 8 ounces, or 3/16" on the gauge.

This ain't rocket science, and if I can't determine the exact dims, then I'll just cut the tube to match the 6 quart fill.

Joe

[John H.]

Re: Gauge or Tube at Fault??

Michael -

The '65 A.I.M. shows #3864974 as the dipstick for the L-76; there's no callout for the tube on that sheet, so it uses the same upper tube as the base engine, shown in UPC 6 as #3860319. There are no revisions shown on either sheet for either part.

[Michael H.]

Re: Gauge or Tube at Fault??

Thanks John. I wasn't sure if that number made it all the way back to SOP of 65 but your AIM confirms it. It's the same in my 66 AIM and May 66 printing of the parts book.