1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

[John M.]

All,

I'm restoring my 73 BB convertible. Does anyone have info regarding the correct dipstick tube and gauge? Any pics or part numbers would be much appreciated.

Regards,
John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

All,

I'm restoring my 73 BB convertible. Does anyone have info regarding the correct dipstick tube and gauge? Any pics or part numbers would be much appreciated.

Regards,
John

John-------


A very easy one:

dipstick------GM #3981088

dipstick tube----GM #3981089 (GM discontinued but available in reproduction)

Don't forget to get seal GM #274244 which seals the tube to the oil pan.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Hi John,
Attached is a photo of a BB 73 dipstick on AC car. Note the red plastic tip. The tip should be green on a non AC LS 4. Photo taken from the Richard Prince book.
Hope this helps.

[John M.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Thanks guys. Has anyone seen a green tip dipstick for sale or know what the overall length or markings are?

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

John,
There is one for sale now on eBay. The guy who has them for sale is under user name pacecarjeff. Ebay item number is 201410801777. The title is 71-72-73 Camaro Z28 Green Tip Dipstick /corvette. Look at all the photos he has. I have bought a couple OEM parts from him for my 73. He is reliable. Attached a couple photos. Hope this helps.

[John M.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Jimmy,

I thought the dipstick was supposed to have a flat handle as pictured in the Prince book? Or is there a difference in in red tip vs green tip handles? Sorry for the fifty questions...just trying to get it right.

Regards,
John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Hi John,
The tip should be green on a non AC LS 4.
Hope this helps.

Jimmy------


This won't help because it's incorrect. The red-tipped GM #3981088 dipstick was used for ALL 1971-74 Corvettes with 454; with C-60, without C-60, and with or without anything else. Any other belief is a MYTH. Also, the 3981088 dipstick and 3981089 dipstick tube were UNIQUE to Corvettes; they were not used on any other cars.

The eBay seller has "extrapolated" that the dipstick for sale is applicable to a Corvette. I guess he figures that since it's applicable to Camaro, Chevelle, etc, then it must also be applicable to a Corvette. WRONG. The Corvette oil pan is different than the others and uses a different and unique dipstick and tube. Said another way, no big block dipstick or tube that is correct for a Camaro or Chevelle can possibly also be applicable to a Corvette. In this regard, the applications are "mutually exclusive".

There MAY be a slight difference in the configuration of the handles for GM #3981088 dipsticks manufactured at different times. The original ones used in PRODUCTION and sold in SERVICE may not have had a "dimple" on the stem of the handle. Later SERVICE examples did have a dimple.

[John M.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Joe,

So is this a mistake in the 73 judging manual as it calls out a green tip dipstick for cars without AC?

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Thats a good question. I really didn't notice that until you just pointed it out. The judging manual says that "all dipsticks or gauge handles are formed from round tubing with a colored plastic plug in the end. Original handles do not have have two indents on the base of the handle."Not sure what the difference would be, or why the red tip one is flat. Maybe someone will chime in with an explanation.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Thats a good question. I really didn't notice that until you just pointed it out. The judging manual says that "all dipsticks or gauge handles are formed from round tubing with a colored plastic plug in the end. Original handles do not have have two indents on the base of the handle."Not sure what the difference would be, or why the red tip one is flat. Maybe someone will chime in with an explanation.

Jimmy------


By the way, that "green tipped" dipstick you mention on eBay is for a small block, not a big block. Many original small block dipsticks did have a green plug.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Joe,

So is this a mistake in the 73 judging manual as it calls out a green tip dipstick for cars without AC?

John-----


In my opinion, it's an error. I know of no big block dipstick used for 1971-74 Corvettes that was anything other than GM #3981088 and with a red plug. If there was some other dipstick, it is of unknown part number, not referenced in any AIM, any P&A Catalog, or anywhere else I know of.

By the way, the dipstick used for 1971-74 Camaros and Chevelles was GM #3989391 and had a yellow tip. You can still get that one from GM but it will also have the dimple.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

Thanks Joe for helping clarify all this. It gets really confusing when your are trying to find the correct parts going by what is in the judging manual. Especially, when there are so many variations for the parts. For example my 73 L48 dipstick has the black tip on it, which the judging manual says should be on all L48 and L82's.

[Monte M.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

John,
I know Joe was just giving you his opinion, but I also agree with him. I have had a number of 71 and 72 big block cars over the years. Owning one makes you look at a lot of others. I have never seen an original big block of that era with anything but red.
Monte

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

John,
I found the dipstick and tube at Dr.Rebuild. He lists the dipstick as 70-74. 454 Genuine 3981088. Sorry for any confusion that I may have caused with the earlier post. Thats what I like about the forum, you learn something new everyday.

[David L.]

Re: 1973 454 Dipstick Tube and Gauge

I have found that 1969-1971 dipsticks were stamped "USE GM 6041-M-QUALITY MS OIL" and 1972-1973 dipsticks were stamped "USE SE ENGINE OIL".
Dave