Need tip for removing dip stick tube

[Gary B.]

I want to remove the dipstick tube from my 1966 L79 engine in order to repaint it. Does anyone have a fool proof technique for removing the tube without damaging it? I've tugged pretty hard on it by hand and it doesn't budge.

Thanks,

Gary Beaupre

[Wayne K.]

Re: Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Gary,

It is a push fit tube. If you haven't already tried this wipe the area clean so some penetrating oil will find its way between the tube and the block. Then try to turn it back and forth to see if you can get some movement that way. If so keep doing that while pulling up at the same time. Take you time as it might take awhile. Good luck.

[Peter J.]

Re: Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Gary, I used a chisel to work it loose at lip at the block. Carefully tap and pry up around as much of the perimeter as you can get at. If all else fails - Paragon makes a good repop. Service replacements aren't even close.

[John H.]

Re: Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Gary -

I assume you mean you're painting the block - if so, just mask the tube off; the tube itself wasn't painted - just natural finish.

[Joe L.]

Re: Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Gary and John-----

I agree; it's not necessary (or advisable) to remove the upper dipstick tube to paint.

If you do need to remove the tube, the best way to do it without damaging the tube is to push it out from below. By tapping on the lower dipstick tube, you can push the upper dipstick tube out of the block. Of course, the oil pan must be removed to do this.

Another factor is this, though: the upper dipstick tube is an interference fit in the block. Once you remove the tube you will not be able to re-install it with the same tight, interference fit that it had originally. For that to occur, you really need to use a new tube.

[Gary B.]

Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Thanks for all the suggestions. My reason for removing it is both to paint the tube and eventually paint the block. The JG says the tube was either natural or black and mine has lots of evidence of black, so black it will be. Also, as of yesterday, I have the engine out of the car and it will eventually be sent out for a rebuild. My fear, of course, is that the engine people will manage to bend or break the tube if it's not removed beforehand.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Gary-----

If the engine is to be rebuilt, then the tube will have to be removed prior to that being done; no question about that, at all. A pending rebuild with attendent oil pan removal will also make it easy to remove the tube by tapping it out from the bottom as I previously described.

You will still be faced with the re-installation problem which I described. If you've ever seen a Chevrolet small block which has the problem of the dipstick tube coming out every other time the dipstick is pulled, this is the cause of it-----reused upper dipstick tubes. You may be able to "knurl" the lower portion of the dipstick tube in order to upset enough material to re-establish an interference fit, of sorts. Then, the application of locking compound prior to installation might be enough to restore a tight enough fit.

[Gary B.]

Need tip for removing dip stick tube

Sounds like it's time to pay the Paragon piper yet again...

Gary