1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

[David S.]

Hi All,

Can someone explain what an original LT1 5 quart oil dipstick should look like? Maybe someone has reference pictures too? The 70 NCRS manual says that all 350's should use the same one. I would think a 5 quart and 6 quart pan used a different dipstick though...

Thanks!
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

To the best of my knowledge the dipsticks are the same whether the pan holds 5 quarts or 6 quarts. The difference is in the volume of the pan and not the level of the fluid.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

AS Terry said. The 6 QT pan is just deeper.

[David L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

The GM part number is 3739830 with measurements as follows:
A = 19 9/16"
B = 20 21/64"
I believe that all Chevrolet dipsticks made for the 1969-1971 models were stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL" as well as "ADD" and "FULL".

"3739830" was stamped on the over the counter dipsticks made in the 1980's.

The 1965-1967 3739830 dipsticks were stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M".

Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

AS Terry said. The 6 QT pan is just deeper.

Actually Ken, it is not deeper. The bottom part of the pan (sump, if you will) is longer (toward the front) for the 6-quart version. That extra two inches is what interferes with the power steering ram and prevents N40 option with the CTU engine code.

BTW: In my first response I didn't want to get into what is bigger than what -- so I stuck with the more general "larger volume" description. I don’t like those “mine is bigger than yours” kinds of discussions.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Actually Ken, it is not deeper. The bottom part of the pan (sump, if you will) is longer (toward the front) for the 6-quart version. That extra two inches is what interferes with the power steering ram and prevents N40 option with the CTU engine code.

BTW: In my first response I didn't want to get into what is bigger than what -- so I stuck with the more general "larger volume" description. I don’t like those “mine is bigger than yours” kinds of discussions.

Terry------


Correct. If the 6 quart pan was deeper, it would have required a different dipstick. However, both the "5 quart" and "6 quart" pans were the same depth and used the exact same dipstick and dipstick tube. Only the LENGTH of the sump was different.

Actually, there would be a difference "between the marks" since every increment of depth in the "6 quart" pan would account for more volume than the "5 quart". However, I guess Chevrolet engineers figured the difference to be insignificant and not worthy of creating another dipstick calibration.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Terry------Correct. If the 6 quart pan was deeper, it would have required a different dipstick. However, both the "5 quart" and "6 quart" pans were the same depth and used the exact same dipstick and dipstick tube. Only the LENGTH of the sump was different.Actually, there would be a difference "between the marks" since every increment of depth in the "6 quart" pan would account for more volume than the "5 quart". However, I guess Chevrolet engineers figured the difference to be insignificant and not worthy of creating another dipstick calibration.

Joe,Not to be contrary, but whether the additional quart is accommodated by depth, width or length, the fact that the additional liquid is "accommodated" means the dipstick would remain the same length for either. The only way there would be a need for a different dipstick with different markings is if the oil pan were the exact same size but one required 5 quarts and another required 6 quarts...then the height of the oil would be different/affected.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Joe,Not to be contrary, but whether the additional quart is accommodated by depth, width or length, the fact that the additional liquid is "accommodated" means the dipstick would remain the same length for either. The only way there would be a need for a different dipstick with different markings is if the oil pan were the exact same size but one required 5 quarts and another required 6 quarts...then the height of the oil would be different/affected.

Leif-------


Yes, the "full" level will be the same for both oil pans. However, each increment of depth in the pans represents a different volume of oil. For example, the volume of 1" of depth of oil in the "6 quart" pan is slightly greater than 1" of depth in the "5 quart" pan. So, if the point at which the "add" mark is reached, the "5 quart" pan is exactly 1 quart low, then the "6 quart" pan is slightly greater than 1 quart low.

[David S.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Hi All,

Thanks for the detailed explanations. The oil pan capacities make sense as do the dipstick details.

My dipstick measures 24 inches long form the bottom to the top of the handle. Just about 21 inches from the bottom to the bottom of the handle. The handle itself has a black plastic plug at the end of the curve. It reads " Add Full Use GM 6041 - M Quality MS Oil M".

My question arose when I read the NCRS manual which states "All dipsticks are formed round tubing with a colored plastic plug in the end. All 350's had a black plug; 1970 454 engines had a black plug; and 1971 and 1972 had a red plug. Original dipsticks had only the words "Add" and "Full" stamped on them although some have a W."

Are we saying here that the NCRS manual is not correct?

Thanks,
Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

There were two manufacturers that made dipsticks for Chevrolet models. The 1969-1971 dipsticks stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL" and "M" have a plastic tip (black plastic tip on the 3862730* dipstick) on the handle while the 1969-1971 dipsticks stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL" AND "E" have a flat tip handle. I'm not sure if the "E" dipsticks were also installed on the Corvette assembly line. The 3862730* dipstick measures as follows: A = 19 9/16" and B = 20 21/64". I can not comment on the NCRS manuals.

Dave

*corrected part number

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Hi All,

Thanks for the detailed explanations. The oil pan capacities make sense as do the dipstick details.

My dipstick measures 24 inches long form the bottom to the top of the handle. Just about 21 inches from the bottom to the bottom of the handle. The handle itself has a black plastic plug at the end of the curve. It reads " Add Full Use GM 6041 - M Quality MS Oil M".

My question arose when I read the NCRS manual which states "All dipsticks are formed round tubing with a colored plastic plug in the end. All 350's had a black plug; 1970 454 engines had a black plug; and 1971 and 1972 had a red plug. Original dipsticks had only the words "Add" and "Full" stamped on them although some have a W."

Are we saying here that the NCRS manual is not correct?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave------

Your dipstick sounds to me like it's at least functionally correct. Somewhere around here I have the original dipstick for my 1969 small block which should be exactly the same as yours. My recollection is that it does have reference to the engine oil of either "M", "MS", or some other "M" designation. I do not recall regarding anything else that might or might not be on it.

[David L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Dave------

Your dipstick sounds to me like it's at least functionally correct. Somewhere around here I have the original dipstick for my 1969 small block which should be exactly the same as yours. My recollection is that it does have reference to the engine oil of either "M", "MS", or some other "M" designation. I do not recall regarding anything else that might or might not be on it.

Joe,
I believe the "M" is for the manufacturer of the dipstick. My original 1966 Corvette dipstick (GM # 3862730*) is stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M" with a black plastic tip.
Dave
*corrected

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Joe,
I believe the "M" is for the manufacturer of the dipstick. My original 1966 Corvette dipstick (GM # 3739830) is stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M" with a black plastic tip.
Dave

Dave------


There may have been an "M" by itself. However, my recollection is that there was also something like "use engine oil MS" (or some other M_ designation like that).

1965-74 Corvette small blocks used dipstick GM #3862730.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Leif-------Yes, the "full" level will be the same for both oil pans. However, each increment of depth in the pans represents a different volume of oil. For example, the volume of 1" of depth of oil in the "6 quart" pan is slightly greater than 1" of depth in the "5 quart" pan. So, if the point at which the "add" mark is reached, the "5 quart" pan is exactly 1 quart low, then the "6 quart" pan is slightly greater than 1 quart low.

Joe...With utmost respect I must humbly disagree with your last sentence. Once the level in either pan is achieved all we are left dealing with is area (width x length)...depth no longer factors into the equation. Adding a quart of oil to either pan will raise the level on the dipstick exactly the same.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Leif, please consider:

The sump in the six quart pan is about 12-inches long and about 6 inches wide.
The sump in the 5 quart pan is about 10 inches long and the same width as the 6-quart pan.

If both sumps contain liquid at the full depth (whatever that is, it will be the same for both sumps because the dip sticks are the same) and we remove 1 quart from each, will the depth of liquid in each be the same? I submit not because one has a greater length (thus greater volume) than the other. Joe's point that the add mark should be different for each pan in order for the quantity to be added to equal one quart is correct.
I also feel sorry for David S. This discussion has gone the way of supreme anal ism, and I am relatively sure that was never his intention when he asked a very simple question. Can't we just let it rest with a simple answer?