1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

[Leif A.]

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?

Sure....I was probably over thinking it anyways.

[David L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Joe,

Over the years there were several different stampings on 3862730 dipsticks (not 3739830 as I erroneously mentioned previously). I have found the following:
1965-1967 stamped "ENGINE OIL"
1969-1971 stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL"
1972-1973 stamped "USE SE ENGINE OIL"
I'm not sure about the stamping on a 1968 3862730 dipstick.
I have a NORS service dipsticks from the 1980's that is stamped "USE SE ENGINE OIL", "3862730" AND "M" with a black plastic tip.

Dave

[David S.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Hi Guys,

I'm getting an education here.

Back to my main question though, is the dipstick that I have original for a late production LT1? Again the question that I raise is the NCRS book states something other than what I have / what is being discussed here.

Thanks,
Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Hi Guys,

I'm getting an education here.

Back to my main question though, is the dipstick that I have original for a late production LT1? Again the question that I raise is the NCRS book states something other than what I have / what is being discussed here.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave-----


My opinion is that your dipstick is original.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Joe,

Over the years there were several different stampings on 3862730 dipsticks (not 3739830 as I erroneously mentioned previously). I have found the following:
1965-1967 stamped "ENGINE OIL"
1969-1971 stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL"
1972-1973 stamped "USE SE ENGINE OIL"
I'm not sure about the stamping on a 1968 3862730 dipstick.
I have a NORS service dipsticks from the 1980's that is stamped "USE SE ENGINE OIL", "3862730" AND "M" with a black plastic tip.

Dave

I respectfully disagree with 1969-1971 stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL". Those words may have been stamped on service replacements and newer versions and accepted as gospel by those who own them. However, in the 4th Edition of the 1970-1972 NCRS Corvette Judging Guide under Mechanical, 11. OIL DIPSTICK, page 67 there is no differentiation between small block and big block oil dipsticks. It goes on to state that only the words ADD and FULL were stamped on them and some had a W. It further states that no other wording or numbers were stamped on them until toward 1972 only the words "USE SE ENGINE OIL" were stamped on them. If 1970-1972 car was judged according to the JG but the car had an oil dipstick that read USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL would the car get full points credit?

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[D S.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

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

Dave, stay on the safe side and refer strictly to the 1970-1972 NCRS Judging Guide, 4th Edition until the 5th Edition ever comes out. Don't spend money based on other "experts" advice.

[David L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

I respectfully disagree with 1969-1971 stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL". Those words may have been stamped on service replacements and newer versions and accepted as gospel by those who own them. However, in the 4th Edition of the 1970-1972 NCRS Corvette Judging Guide under Mechanical, 11. OIL DIPSTICK, page 67 there is no differentiation between small block and big block oil dipsticks. It goes on to state that only the words ADD and FULL were stamped on them and some had a W. It further states that no other wording or numbers were stamped on them until toward 1972 only the words "USE SE ENGINE OIL" were stamped on them. If 1970-1972 car was judged according to the JG but the car had an oil dipstick that read USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL would the car get full points credit?

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

Scott,

After studying Chevrolet and Corvette parts for the last 30+ years I base my opinions on actual physical evidence as well as information from very reliable sources. I never use judging guides. In years past I have found dipsticks on 1969-1970 Chevrolets and Chevelles in the salvage yards with the stamping "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL" stamped on them. The length of the 1970 Chevrolet/Chevelle/Camaro/Nova (307,350) dipstick is not the same as the Corvette but the stampings would be the same for that era. There is at least one thread about 1970 Z28 dipsticks on the nastyZ28 forum (see like below). It is very common knowledge that the 1970 Z28 dipsticks were stamped "USE GM 6041-MQUALITY MS OIL". Everyone is entitled to their own opinion whatever that opinion is based on.

Dave

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143216&highlight=3951576+dipstick

[Terry L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Terry,

I have been researching this question also. Based on the judging manual I removed (now I can't find) what appears to have been original dipsticks from both of my 1970 March build date LT1's thinking they were replaced in the past. From what I remember both had the wording "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL". The judging manual does not mention this dipstick with the wording "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL"
Can you take a picture of your 70 LT1 dipstick or confirm what you have?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Terry,

I have been researching this question also. Based on the judging manual I removed (now I can't find) what appears to have been original dipsticks from both of my 1970 March build date LT1's thinking they were replaced in the past. From what I remember both had the wording "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL". The judging manual does not mention this dipstick with the wording "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL"
Can you take a picture of your 70 LT1 dipstick or confirm what you have?

Terry------


I have my original around here somewhere but I'd have to go through a lot of stuff to find it. However, as I mentioned, my recollection is that it was stamped something about using "M?" engine oil.

One other thing to keep in mind. Dipsticks are rarely replaced. They usually don't "wear out" and are rarely damaged. It's rare that anyone lays them aside and forgets about them as it's usually an out-and-in sort of thing. If an engine appears pretty much original, the chances are very high that the dipstick is original.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

Terry,

I have been researching this question also. Based on the judging manual I removed (now I can't find) what appears to have been original dipsticks from both of my 1970 March build date LT1's thinking they were replaced in the past. From what I remember both had the wording "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL". The judging manual does not mention this dipstick with the wording "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL"
Can you take a picture of your 70 LT1 dipstick or confirm what you have?

No I can not take that picture, at least not before the National in Kansas City. You can come there and see for yourself. I can't post pictures on this board any more anyway.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

I can't post pictures on this board any more anyway.

You get Don Hammer all mad at you?

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

You get Don Hammer all mad at you?

I doubt that. Something is up with the NCRS board for some of us. I see others have had to have the admins reset something. I just haven't had the time or inclination to mess with it.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Kramden

[Warren F.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

David,
I have two 1971 Corvettes equipped with big blocks, neither of my dipsticks have any wording on them other than ADD FULL

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 LT1 Dipstick for 5 Quart Oil Pan

All------

One more thing: "MS" was a service designation used for motor oil from 1964 to about 1974.

Let's assume for the moment that 1969-70 PRODUCTION small block dipsticks had no embossment other than "full" and "add". Let's also assume, for the moment, that only SERVICE dipsticks had the reference to "MS" engine oil, etc.

I know, for sure, that by 1975, if not earlier, the GM #3862730 dipstick was embossed to use "SE" engine oil (I purchased one from GM in 1975 and still have it).

The above being the case, that would mean that 69-70 small blocks seen today with dipsticks with the "MS" etc. engine oil embossment would not only have had to have had their dipsticks replaced, but would had to have had them replaced prior to about 1975. I just find that to be highly improbable.

I don't doubt that there are some small block cars with dipsticks that have no embossments other than "full" and "add". The question is whether that can be "extrapolated" to conclude that ALL cars were so-equipped. I don't think so.